Chapter 37: Lost

Tonks sighed heavily and shifted so her head was now lying on Remus' chest.

"Are you alright?" Remus murmured; his voice thick from sleep. His fingers kneaded the muscles on the back of her neck gently, trying to loosen the strain there.

"I'm tired but I can't sleep," Her voice husky, "the Order is already in a bad way, I can't believe I screwed up the mission," She frowned.

Remus smiled, shaking his head, "Don't think that way. You've tried your best. What Voldemort is asking you is horrible. Your humanity is not what I…what we're willing to sacrifice."

Tonks sighed, "Remus…this can't carry on…none of the people in the Order can afford to get hurt; or even…" She choked over what she meant to say but Remus understood. She cupped his cheek, feeling the rough stubble fondly, "I can't imagine what I'd do if you were hurt,"

He forced a pained smile, almost a grimace as he pondered it for a moment. He leant into her touch. "We have to end this," Remus turned and kissed her palm, "just not this way," He offered her a small smile and Tonks pondered it for a moment before nodding reluctantly, letting the matter slide for the moment, "now you're the worrier," He grinned.

Tonks rolled her eyes as placed a palm on Remus' chest, tracing the thickest scar that ran from his shoulder to his stomach. Chuckling, he jerked away while he caught her fingers gently in his hand, "you're so ticklish, everywhere," She teased, smirking.

Remus raised a brow at the mischievous glint in her eyes; the one he always sees in Sirius' eyes before he got all of them into detention for at least a week, "Is that a surprise?" He looked up at the creaky wooden ceiling, fighting an amuse smile.

"Honestly, yes," Tonks giggled, "Calm and rational Remus Lupin, put off by a few light touches,"

"Ha ha," Remus said, the side of his lips twitching evidently, "go to sleep,"

"What?" Tonks propped herself up on her elbows, "regretting accompanying me in bed?" She leaned over him, laughter in her eyes.

"Never," He breathed, kissing her sweetly on her lips before hugging her down on him. She hummed appreciatively, her eyes closed, as he massaged her temples with the pads of his thumbs. She smiled at the serious expression he had on his face. Up close, she could see the beautiful glint in his blue eyes as he concentrated; almost adding an innocent quality to the beautiful factor. Tonks giggled as she thought how well he could pull of the puppy-dog eyes; much better than Sirius for sure, "what?" Remus demanded playfully. When he was merely met with a haughty look that she perfected, his marauder self was sparked. He refused to be treated as such.

He surprised her by kissing the tip of her nose, smirking as she yelped, retreating away, startled. Tonks scowled playfully before she dove in with unrelenting agile fingers, tickling him ruthlessly in his sides; where he was most vulnerable.

Gritting his teeth to hold in a yelp, Remus sat up and kneeled to gain higher ground on the bed, enveloping her firmly in his embrace. They teetered treacherously before tipping over with Remus toppling onto Tonks.

Without any preamble, Tonks burst into laughter and quieted only when Remus shot her disapproving look and covering her lips with his. When they came up for air, Tonks found an uncharacteristic smirk on Remus' face, making him look years younger. He glanced at the door before placing a silencing charm on the door.

"Mr Lupin, wandless silencing charm, I'm impressed," Tonks whistled, giving him a taste of the infamous disarmingly attractive Black smirk.

Remus shrugged, "With the right motivation, anything is possible," With that, his nimble fingers began undoing the lace that was holding together the front of her sweatshirt swiftly, "I am a marauder after all." He feigned an offended look at the doubt.

"Remus," She smiled as she gazed at his mischievous grin. He looked so young like that. He looked at her to see her expression of one being pleasantly surprised.

Remus halted, looking down at his own top, or lack thereof, "you're overdressed, love," He grinned, toying with the restraining laces.

"This is awfully uncharacteristic of you," Tonks smiled, cupping his cheek.

Remus gaped, grasping for an answer for a moment, "I'm nervous," He finally admitted, his fingers leaving the laces as it was; half undone. Tonks raised a slender brow.

"About sharing a bed with me?" She watched him closely with wide, grey almond shaped eyes. He sighed, abandoning his mission to undress her altogether and instead, used his hands to prop himself above her.

He huffed, pressing his lips together and seemingly frantically finding words, "This is probably the worst position to do this but…" Tonks waited expectantly but nothing came. Remus continued staring at a spot above her head.

"But?" she prompted. Remus looked at her and they locked eyes. He lasted a second before he withdrew from above her and sat on the bed with a sigh, "Remus, stop it. You sound old,"

"I am and you do know that, before you jumped into bed with me; an old man," He drawled as she wound her arms around his neck, propping her chin up on his shoulder, kissing a scar she found there.

"I like older men but not old and depressed," She grinned, kissing him on a spot below his ear.

"Dora," He huffed a sigh before slipping out from her embrace. Remus turned around to face her, taking her hands in his calloused ones before locking eyes again. This time, Tonks sealed her lips shut, determined to listen and not deter him. She watched in anticipation as he parted his lips to say something, "Will you-" his breath hitched in his throat and his courage left him, "go to sleep soon? You look tired,"

Tonks raised both brows and Remus pressed his lips together till they turn white.

When he still didn't say anymore, Tonks smiled, amused, "Yes," She nodded, pecking him on his tightly pressed lips before folding her legs in and pulling the sheets over herself as she lay back on the bed.

Remus buried his face in his hands. Stupid. Failure. Coward.

He crawled pathetically to her side, slipping under the sheets. He wiggled closer to her back, positioning his knees, bent, behind hers; spooning her. Placing his arms around her waist, Remus settled down to sleep.

He lay quietly in bed in the darkness for a moment or two, listening to her even breathing before he shifted, restless. He parted his lips to say something but knew Tonks, being as tired as she was, will be asleep by now.

"Dora," His hoarse voice came out as barely a whisper in the dark and quiet room, "will you marry me?" The question came out even softer, almost inaudible to his own ears.

He was met with silence. Remus sighed, burying his face in her hair, breathing in her scent. He glanced out the window, seeing the almost full moon in the sky and sighed once more before letting the sight and scent lull him to sleep.

Remus' eyes snapped open abruptly and he tensed.

On instinct, Remus extracted himself from the sheets and blindly took his wand from the bedside table. He stood in the middle of the room, listening intently.

"Remus, what's wrong?" On the bed, just awakened by him, Tonks stirred. She rubbed her eyes, sitting up as she switched the lights on.

"Shh," Remus gestured, "someone's coming," He opened the door. Instantly, she's awake. Being the auror that she was, Tonks snatched her wand up and followed Remus out into the dark corridor.

True enough, as they made to descend the stairs, Tonks could hear footsteps at the front door, walking down the corridor.

Abruptly, Remus lit up his wand and pointed it straight at the intruder's face.

It was Kingsley.

He flinched at the sudden light, blinking. His wand in hand but it was not raised.

"I'm sorry," Remus directed the wand down and Tonks lowered her wand as well.

"What happened?" Tonks frowned, instantly spotting the worried expression on her colleague as well as close friend's face.

"Ginny is missing,"

Kingsley said gravely. Tonks instantly jumped onto it, shooting questions but Remus, being the voice of reason, suggested they take it to the kitchen instead of waking the entire house.

"What happened?" Tonks hissed. Kingsley didn't reply her, "Well, she can't just vanish,"

"I think she is taken," Kingsley's reply was soft and the poor Auror looked ready to collapse.

"We mustn't tell Molly yet," Remus murmured, tenting his fingers.

Tonks nodded, "She'll go nuts. Do any of the kids know…?"

"Hermione and Parvati reported her missing to Minerva the moment they realise she didn't return to her dormitories for the night and for classes the day as well," Kingsley replied, rubbing a hand over his tired face, "Maybe if we pull in other Aurors…?" He turned to Tonks.

"No, if we do that, the ministry will have to know and we all know the ministry is a loss cause. We'll be better off on our own," Tonks tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Dumbledore?" Remus looked up.

"He's not in school," Kingsley said, deadpanned. Tonks made a noise of frustration. They all knew and felt the effect of the headmaster constant mysterious disappearance. Worst of all, none of them had any idea where he was. She then glanced to her side to see Remus' face filled with worried lines again as he thought. He was a good teacher; he cared, about each and every one of his students greatly. Smiling weakly, Tonks reached out and patted his knee. Remus glanced at her, placing his hand on hers.

"We can't go look for her now, not in the middle of the night. We won't find anything," Remus sighed.

Tonks swallowed the dread of what Remus is suggesting and what Kingsley caught on, "we start tomorrow, early."

Remus nodded, "Get some rest. I think Sirius has some vacant rooms upstairs," Kingsley nodded and walked off, still deep in thought.

Remus collected her hand in his to get back to bed but Tonks refused to get up from the chair, "Remus, we can't leave her like this…" Tonks murmured.

Remus sighed, bending to her level, "Dora, I know you care about Ginny and worry about her but there is nothing we can do now. Look at us," She did and they looked terrible. Remus' hair was in a tousled mess and his face had a shadow over it, his eyes were bloodshot from fatigue. Tonks felt a pang of guilt. She knew the full moon was tomorrow night and nothing could be feeling worst on him now. She, similarly, felt like she'd just completed a full module of Mad-Eye's training without rest, "come on. In 2 hours, we'll be out looking for her. We have to get some rest. And Ginny, that tough kid, will have to hang on till then,"

Tonks sighed. He always was the rational one.

The sun was not even up but Tonks was. In fact, she was dressed and was pulling on her maroon leather robe on when Remus stirred.

He looked so painfully adorable; it has to be illegal for anyone to do this to others. Remus inclined his head from the bed, revealing a magnificent mess of bed hair and looked around blearily, "Dora?" His voice was husky from the lack of use. His arm was spreaded over her side of the bed, obviously not finding her and becoming concerned.

Despite her worry for Ginny, she couldn't help smiling. Approaching him, Tonks took his face in her hands and kissed his forehead. Remus chuckled, "good morning to you too,"

Tilting his face up to her, she almost melted as she looked into pools of ridiculously light blue eyes. Unable to help herself, she leaned down and kissed him. His lips were warm and soft on hers. She ran her fingers through his hair fondly, kissing him on his cheek as they part. She almost lost herself to him, her lips yearning for the feel of his again, only shortly after they'd kissed. But Remus spoke; the voice of reason.

"Ginny." He reminded firmly, with a chuckle. Remembering, she sighed and released him.

"Right," Tonks nodded, looking determined, "What are you doing?" She frowned as Remus crawled out of bed, adjusting his pyjamas pants as he shuffled to the bathroom.

"Washing up. Wait for me," He yawned.

"Remus," She raised a brow, "I'll go with Kingsley. You stay here and rest for the day. Full moon's-"

"I know," Remus cut her off, "Ginny's my student. Always will be. Wait for me, I'm coming."

Tonks sighed, running her fingers through her purple hair as she collapsed back onto the bed. In a few minutes, Remus was pulling on his shirt and buttoning it up as Tonks watched appreciatively from the bed. Then she spotted Remus', hardly noticeable, blush.

"I didn't know marauders blush," she teased, biting her lips.

"I'm not blushing," Remus protested, retrieving his pants from the drawer and was about to change out of his pyjamas pants right there. However, a glance at Tonks was all it took for him to head to the bathroom. She pouted, hearing the soft laugh from the bathroom, as she flopped back down on the bed.

"She left a note?" Remus raised a brow, looking down at the note in his hand that Parvati just handed to him.

Tonks leaned over and true enough, it read:

Don't worry. I snuck out. Will be back the day after tomorrow. Don't tell anyone.

Ginevra.

"Where did you find this?" Remus asked as Tonks took the note from him.

"On her bed, on her pillows. I must've missed it before we went ahead to tell Professor McGonagall about it," Parvati replied sheepishly, "I'm sorry Professor,"

Tonks smiled in amusement despite herself, as she heard the girl's slip, of calling Remus a professor, which many of the kids keep committing.

"It's alright," Remus nodded to her and the girl went off towards the castle.

"Well…I bet she snuck off with Harry somewhere-"

"It's not Ginny," Remus said, "that is not her hand," He gestured to the note, "and she will never sign off with her full name," He stated before glancing up at her and cracking a slight smile.

"Yeah, she hates it," Tonks smirked before her amusement quelled pretty quickly, "so she was taken. Kingsley was right,"

All of a sudden, Remus tensed, frozen as a gust of wind blew their way.

"Remus?" She touched his arm gently but he held onto her upper arm firmly, his eyes darting around swiftly. His wand was already drawn in the other hand. Tonks glanced around. The street was empty; almost ghostly. She wasn't surprised; with the threats Voldemort was sending out, even Hogwarts had banned the Hogsmeade visit for the week.

"Dora, stay close to me," He murmured, pulling her closer.

"Remus, what is it?" She hissed; her wand also out now.

"Greyback is here,"

Tonks' eyes widened as she shot a stunner swiftly. It flew past Remus, barely brushing his earlobe. A hooded man collapsed with a cry. She glanced around nervously as several more ran out from behind the houses and some from the nearby forested areas.

Tonks frantically shot down a man who was barreling straight into her. The tide soon separated them but she could still hear Remus fighting; shouting curses and hexes.

Knowing they wouldn't last, Tonks took down another before flourishing her wand to cast a patronus but a silvery wolf skimmed past her and she glanced to see Remus watch it go. He nodded to her briefly before she lost sight of him. He was down. Tonks' heart plunged.

"Remus!" She shouted but in that moment, she felt a pair of arms grab her from the back around the neck. The sinewy arm was throttling her. She elbowed the stranger but all she felt was his stone hard abdominal muscles. She felt a sharp pain in her rib, knocking the wind out of her, as the man punched her to stop her struggling.

Her knees buckled and she fell, winded and surprised with the hit that brought blinding pain.

"No!" She glimpsed Remus again amongst the hoard. He was glancing to her before bringing down two men simultaneously with strong hexes and hooked another with his fist.

She ducked just as the man drew back his large fist.

Tonks twisted around and brought up her wand to his abdomen, "Impedimenta!" She cried. As the man stumble back, she rose, her wand tip in his face. Avada-

The spell half formed in her mind but Tonks hurriedly stopped it; knowing she could very well accidentally kill him with it just by performing the curse silently, despite its difficulty. She didn't know what she can do but Tonks didn't want to know.

In that moment of hesitation, she felt agonizing pain hit her from behind and she crumpled to the floor, her world turning to darkness; the last thing she heard was Remus, screaming her name.

She stirred, pain shooting up her head from her neck. Wincing, she blinked to clear her vision. Tonks made to stand but stumbled as her head swooned. Her vision gradually cleared and she saw leaves; many of them beneath her hands.

Remembering what happened, Tonks jumped to her feet. She felt around for her wand and found it in her pocket. She drew it, relieved. She was in a forest, apparently. It is almost dark. Lumos.

She stifled a scream as she saw the figure slumped against a tree.

"Ginny!" Tonks dropped to her knees, taking the girl's face in her hands and slapping her lightly on her cheeks, "wake up," Tonks' heart stopped in her chest as Ginny failed to respond but soon enough, she stirred.

"Tonks?" She squinted in the light. It took Ginny a moment but when she regained her senses, the red haired Weasley threw her arms around Tonks' neck, squealing and sighing. Even Tonks managed a sigh and a soft laugh.

"Where have you been?" Tonks pried herself loose to hold the girl at arms' length.

Ginny was not hurt, at least not that Tonks could tell. She had a cracked lip that was bleeding and a dirty visage but other than that, she looked well.

When Tonks asked, Ginny's eyes darted around and Tonks saw a flash of fear in her eyes before they focused on her, "Greyback," Her voice choked out, "he-he…"

Tonks shushed her as the girl broke down. She had never seen Ginny cry but Tonks knew first-hand how vicious Greyback could be, to young girls especially.

"Ginny, it's alright, you're alright, I'm here," Tonks rambled, patting her back as Ginny cried into her shoulder. Then Tonks paused, glancing around frantically for Remus. He was no where in sight, "Ginny," She touched the girl's shoulder gently, "did he touch you?" Tonks asked hesitantly.

Ginny bit her lips and shook her head, "no," she sniffed, "he just locked me up and talked to me some."

"What did he say to you?" Tonks brushed her hair gently with her hand.

Ginny rubbed her nose with the back of her hand, "he talked about you… and professor Lupin…" Tonks waited patiently and Ginny looked up, her brown eyes frightful, "he said he was going to kill you and destroy Professor Lupin-" She choked, "I was so scared he'd…"

"We're fine, Ginny." Tonks kissed the top of her head, rubbing the shaking girl's arms, "don't you remember what a good duelist Remus is? He'll never let anyone hurt me, us," Ginny nodded as Tonks wiped her tears with the pads of her thumbs, "did you see Remus?" Tonks glanced around, her instincts perked.

Ginny shook her head.

"Ginny," Tonks held her face in her hands, "You're a Gryffindor. I need you to be brave. Can you do that for me?" Tonks felt a swell of pride for her when Ginny nodded firmly. Tonks offered her hand and pulled Ginny to her feet. She intensified the light to her wand and shone it around their surrounding. Tonks didn't recognise this place at all. She could apparate out of here but Tonks wasn't leaving Remus, "Listen Ginny, I'm going to apparate you out of here-"

"What about Professor Lupin?" Ginny demanded thickly.

"I'm not leaving him. I'm just getting you out-"

"No!" Ginny scowled, "No! I'm staying!"

Tonks sighed; time was running short, "alright, you have your wand?" Ginny bit her lips and looked down, shaking her head slowly, "stay close then," Ginny nodded and gripped Tonks' hand firmly.

Trying to be as subtle as she could, Tonks glanced up at the sky. The sun seemed have already set. She swallowed. It was full moon tonight.

Thankfully, she couldn't spot the moon, yet. Either it has not risen, or it was merely concealed by the dark clouds.

"Remus?" Tonks called, cringing as her voice echoed around the forest. Great…she pursed her lips. She'd just revealed her location to any enemy which could be lurking around in the forest. If Mad-Eye were around, she was sure he would've rapped her over her head with his walking stick or, worst, his wand.

"Tonks look!" Ginny pointed ahead. Tonks squinted into the darkness, aiming her wand ahead. True enough, there was a limp figure sprawled out by a tree. Keeping a firm hold on Ginny's hand, Tonks approached cautiously, tugging Ginny behind her.

"Remus?" Tonks leant over and lowered her wand. Remus' ghostly pale visage met her eyes. She dropped to her knees and subconsciously tearing her hand from Ginny's. Gently, she cradled Remus' head in her arms, "Remus," She shook him, the fear overwhelming. He can't be…

Remus groaned, stirring, "Dora?" He muttered, looking at her with bloodshot eyes. His head was bleeding from a deep cut along his hair line.

She breathed an audible sigh of relief, nuzzling her face against his cold clammy cheek, "Oh thank merlin…"

"Dora…" he groaned again and Tonks realised he didn't groan because of his wounds.

And Ginny seemed to have caught on fast, "Tonks!"

She spun around and followed where Ginny pointed. The moon was up and full.

Her auror-self kicked in abruptly. Tonks placed Remus, whose face was contorted in pain and the effort to hold it in, down to the floor. She backed away, raising her wand, Ginny's sweaty hand in her own firmly.

Remus started to rise shakily from the ground. He looked up at her, his blue eyes wide with fear but not for himself; rather, for her. He seemed to be struggling with himself to speak but nothing came but a feral groan that didn't sound anything like Remus. Tonks watched as Remus' eyes began to darken and turn amber.

In that instant, she knew that the Remus she loved was gone.

"Ginny," Tonks turned to the girl beside her, grasping her pale and horrified face in her hands, "Do you trust me?"

Ginny nodded frantically, her pupils evidently dilated with fear in the light from Tonks' wand. Tonks offered her a strained smile.

She glanced back at Remus once. He was now hunched over, a feral cry leaving his lips. Tonks could see his spine arching to the point of cracking and shifting, tearing through the fabric. Hesitating, Tonks steeled her aching heart and ran with Ginny in tow. If Tonks didn't have Ginny with her, she'd probably stay and start setting up wards around Remus while he transformed. Not only could she protect Remus from running wild and getting himself hurt, she could also protect herself but she did have Ginny with her. And Tonks wasn't willing to take that risk with the Weasleys' only daughter.

Tonks had never worked with a feral werewolf before. She had no idea how strong he would be so she ran, sprinting as fast as she could and she was really fast. Ginny stumbled to keep up. Tonks may be the clumsiest Auror in history but when it came down to it, she could really push to and beyond her limits

Tonks forced her eyes closed and ran even as behind them, she could hear Remus let out a last humane cry of agony. The cry lasted for a while, ripping at Tonks' heart. She wanted to be there with him, to hold him as he took the pain the wolf gave him to his already battered body.

Soon, the cry turned into a howl.

Tonks stopped, turning around. Remus was nowhere in sight. She didn't know how far they have ran but outrunning a werewolf was insane; impossible.

"Tonks, apparate?" Ginny tugged on her arm, her eyes darting around the dark forest.

Tonks could've slapped herself for not thinking of it. She pulled Ginny into her embraced and flourished her wand. Nothing happened. They were still exactly where they were initially.

"What happened?" Ginny frowned, her eyes staying on the darkness behind them.

Tonks waved her wand around them, cursing. Someone had set up anti apparition wards but Tonks didn't want to tell Ginny, lest she lose her nerve. Thinking fast, Tonks pulled Ginny to a nearby tree and holding Ginny around her hip, Tonks hoisted the girl up, "Climb," Tonks grunted as Ginny scrambled up the tree. She supported Ginny's foot and pushed her up.

Ginny grabbed a thick branch and hooked her arm around it as she heaved herself up and into a crook on the tree, "Come on Tonks," Ginny reached down, offering a hand.

Tonks nodded, shoving her wand back into her robe and found a foothold in the bark of the tree. She hoisted herself up before grabbing Ginny's hand.

Then she heard a growl behind her. It was close, closer than Tonks would dare to believe. She glanced back in time to see a grey blur leap at her. Letting go of Ginny's hand, Tonks felt pain shot up her back sharply as her lower back collided with the root of the tree. She watched the wolf collide brutally with the tree.

She heard a yelp as its jaw smashed into the hard bark of the tree and it sank to the floor.

Tonks frantically felt among the folds of the robe for her wand as she scrambled back from the whimpering wolf.

"Tonks!" Ginny cried from her position on the tree. The wolf shook his head and rose on all fours. It growled, baring its teeth; its hackles rose as it glared at her. Tonks caught its amber eyes flickering towards Ginny on the tree.

"Ginny," Tonks said in an even voice, trying to keep the fear out of her voice. Ginny needed it, "stay where you are," Her eyes not leaving the wolf in front of her.

"No!" Ginny baulked in revulsion at the idea. Tonks' heart swelled but pursed her lips.

"Ginny," she began warningly but before she could finish what she wanted to say, the wolf advanced a few paces towards Tonks, bristling as her scent swept over its snout. It snorted before crouching, as if to leap.

Suddenly, a heavy stone sailed through the air, nicking the wolf right on the top of his head. It yelped in surprise and spun around abruptly, growling at Ginny.

Tonks had no idea where Ginny got it but now there was trouble. Ginny had angered it.

"Ginny, stay where you are," Tonks warned, raising her wand at the back of the wolf. Her hand was trembling at the thought of what she was about to do. But she did it.

A jet of white shot out from her wand, nailing Remus—no, the wolf, in the back.

It yelped and roared at her. This time, it didn't waste any time. It leaped and Tonks ducked to the side, scrambling for her footing among the many leaves and twig that littered the floor. But she ended up on the bum eventually.

"Tonks!" Ginny cried.

"No, stay away Ginny!" Tonks snapped. She almost sighed in relief when the young Weasley hesitated. The wolf barked sharply at her as it made its way over to her. In its own way, the wolf was almost graceful in its lithe and soundless steps on the forest floor. How the wolf could walk so quietly was entirely beyond Tonks.

It sniffed the air and halted momentarily before it snarled, shaking its large head from side to side.

In one swift motion, the wolf reared back on its hind legs over her. Once Tonks got what it was about to do, she frantically scrambled away but one of its fore paw landed on her thigh. She cringed at the weight of it. Her wand was raised but she couldn't. She couldn't hurt him.

"No! Get away from her!" Ginny snapped and Tonks glimpsed the foolish young Weasley sliding down from the tree.

At Ginny's exclamation, Tonks felt the wolf tense, its sharp nails on its paws digging into the flesh of her thigh; just enough to draw blood. Glancing at Ginny picking up a log from the floor and slogging it up behind the wolf, Tonks began to struggle to dislodge her leg from beneath the wolf's paw.

The wolf, which has been watching her oddly, snapped its jaw in her face, growling in something akin to irritation and Tonks tensed.

It was confused. It finally found her; the source of the intoxicating scent it had been yearning for so long. But her form was not what it expected. It thought she was a wolf, like itself but she wasn't.

She wore a long maroon robe that concealed her scent only slightly. Most importantly, she walked on two legs and didn't have fur at all, apart from the long purples ones from her head.

It approached, sniffing the whole time as it watched her struggle to get a girl up the tree. The girl was of no interest to it; the girl smelt of flesh which made its mouth water at the thought of sinking its teeth into her shoulder. However, the scent it yearned to be close to was overwhelming, hindering its sense of smell. It couldn't take in the grassy smell of the forest around it or the earthly smell of the soil beneath its paws. It only smelt her.

Then, it saw her rising from the floor, up the tree. Instantly, it growled. It knew that it couldn't climb and that tree was way too high up for it to reach even if it stood on its hind legs. In an impulse, it leaped.

The pain was blinding. Starburst blotted out its vision.

It whimpered slightly, shaking its head to get rid of the starburst, before the smell of prey filled its nose. Its mouth watered and it growled. But it was hindered by that scent again. It still remembered the night it spent, hurting itself to try to dig up a trench to crawl under the wall that separated them. At that time, the scent had been so important to it. It had been mating season then and the wolf had wanted only her.

Initially, it had thought she was a wolf as her scent didn't suggest otherwise but its nose has deceived it; it could see it now. It wasn't mating season anymore but something stopped it from leaping at her as it would at its prey; at the girl up on the tree. Instead, it eyed her contemplatively.

Its ear twitched and perked at her voice as she conversed with the girl on the tree. It glanced towards his prey once before turning back to her decisively, its object of interest.

It approached her tensed but immobile form. She was sitting on the floor, looking back at it intently. It could smell her fear but every time it took a sniff, its nostril would only fill up with the scent of her; something that was already burnt into its memory and could provide comfort in time of uncertainty or even anger or even hunger; like now.

It snorted, mildly annoyed. It crouched, ready to leap for her if she should run. It was not done contemplating her. She puzzled it.

A sharp pain at the top of its skull broke it out of its confusion. Acting purely on instincts, it turned and growled, its stomach rolling in anticipation for the food that it was promised but another hit it on its back. Hunger driving it into frenzy, it turned and roared. Before it could stop itself, it was leaping through the air. But she scrambled and escaped, just slightly.

It approached her unmoving form. It could smell fear on her; that made it confident. When it was close enough, it reared back on its hind legs and clipped on of her thighs under its left paw.

Now she was close, unable to move with its heavy paw on her thigh. She was soft and warm. It could hear the pulsing of blood in her veins and the sound made it hungry.

It was deaf to the other who left the tree but once it heard her shriek, it tensed. Incidentally, its dangerously sharp claws dug into soft flesh. Under normal circumstances, the sight and smell of blood would drive the wolf insane, render it unstoppable till it had every last piece of the victim. But this time, the sight and smell stopped it.

She struggled, probably in pain, the wolf couldn't fathom but it wasn't about to let her go. It wanted her to stay.

It snapped its jaw in her face, halting her struggling. Satisfied, it raised another paw, placing it on her middle. She backed away as far as physically possible, fear thick in the air.

Lowering its head down to her face, it sniffed. She smelt familiar now, up close. A scent it couldn't remember; like something it had forgotten to smell just at this moment.

"Remus," She mumbled.

Its ears perked up and its eyes met hers. She had unmistakably grey eyes. They were both watching it intently.

It jerked as it felt a queer sensation on the side of its torso. Its fur kept it plenty warm but her hand felt like it was burning into his side. She rubbed its side gently, tousling its fur.

Tonks could feel his heart like this. It was beating, strong and palpable on her palm. The wolf was warm, unbelievably so.

"Remus," she repeated with finality in her voice that she didn't have the first time.

It didn't seem to comprehend what she was trying to say. Instead, it hunched over her head. She tensed but it had merely removed a dried twig from her hair, the twig clenched firmly and nimbly between its teeth.

Tentatively, Tonks brought her other hand forward, brushing it gently from between its eyes down its snout, to its nose. It looked unblinkingly at her, sniffing her palm.

The serenity shattered as Ginny screamed.

A/N: A cliffy! Yes, I know (: It was deliberate. This chapter is getting a little lengthy than my usual…or I think so. You all just have to wait (: till I get it all together again.

Hope this didn't come too late!

As a reader brought it up, I thought I'll just spell it out, in case any of you out there is confused. This is following the Half Blood Prince timeline BUT it is still AU and I reserve the rights to torture JK rowling's babies; it is fanfiction for a reason y'know (: Although, I do love the character she gave each character and is trying my best to get them right.

Alright, enough of my ranting. Thank you to all my reviewers of last chapter! You guys are awesome! Tt crews, HammersNStrings, Furionknight, Just a Cute Idea, Professor Pang, Sarah1996, Lupinesence and Neveraskquestions you all makes all the brain cracking worth while (: