Focusing on Protego in her mind, Tonks pushed the door to her flat open. A spell immediately bounced off her Shield Charm and rebounded, encountering another Shield Charm before hitting the floor and dissolving in a spray of white sparks. The spell had come from a man casually seated in her chair as if he had all the right in the world to be in her home.

"Aurors addresses are not listed in their Ministry files," Lucius Malfoy said with an arrogant smile. "But you unwisely live in a flat rented to you by the Ministry. All it took was a little digging."

Tonks kept her wand at the ready and a Shield Charm around her. "Well, if it isn't my least favorite uncle." She smiled sweetly at Lucius. "Actually, I can't decide between you and Rodolphus who's my least favorite. Toss up, really, as you're both a couple of wankers."

Lucius' icy gaze bored into her. "Your smart mouth is going to get you into trouble one day."

"Too late for that," Tonks said with a slight smirk, not taking her eyes from him. She was fiercely determined not to let him know that his presence in her flat was unnerving. "Get out now and I won't call for one of my colleagues to assist me in escorting you out."

"You wouldn't dispose of me yourself?" he asked with a mock expression of hurt.

"Too much paperwork," Tonks said evenly.

Lucius set his wand in his lap and placed his hands on the arms of the chair in what she supposed was an effort to appear unarmed. Tonks kept her wand raised; she knew he could likely grab his wand and fire a spell in less than a second.

"There is a rumor circulating around the Ministry that you are romantically linked to Alastor Moody."

Tonks snorted indelicately. "That's why you're here? Gossip?"

"A little old for you, don't you think?" he continued, ignoring Tonks' comment. "Unless, of course, you're not involved with him at all, and it's simply a ruse to turn heads away from your association with Albus Dumbledore."

"When someone tells you to get out, it means you get your arse out of the chair and walk one foot in front of the other," Tonks said calmly. The last thing she wanted to do was engage in a duel with Lucius Malfoy in her tiny flat. Although, she equally didn't want to discuss her associations with Mad-Eye and Dumbledore.

"I'm here to extend an offer," he said with another smile.

"I'm not interested," Tonks replied.

"You don't even know what it is I'm offering."

"If it's coming from you, you can be sure I'm not interested."

"You have a fascinating skill set," he continued, again as if she hadn't spoken. "Trained by the man who is easily considered the top Auror of modern times. Your…" he paused as his lip curled in distaste. "Abilities are also an intriguing asset."

"Bugger off."

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you kiss Moody with that mouth?"

"I've given you my answer." With a sharp flick of her hand, Tonks wandlessly pulled her door open further and stepped aside. "Get out."

Lucius stood and placed his wand inside his robes before walking toward Tonks. Stopping directly in front of her, his body just inches from hers, he stared menacingly for a few moments. "This offer won't be extended again," Lucius said, all amusement gone from his face.

Tonks met his stare without a flinch. "Good."

Lucius nodding formally and exited her flat without a glance back. Tonks held her wand on him and followed him onto the landing as he walked down the short corridor and down the stairs. As soon as he had exited the building, she took a deep breath and stepped into her flat, slamming the door and casting a Locking Charm. She ran a shaking hand across her forehead and leaned her head against the door, contemplating whether to go back to Headquarters or stay in her flat. Shit. She couldn't go back to Headquarters now, not without hearing it from Mad-Eye about how putting off fixing her wards had allowed Lucius sodding Malfoy to enter her flat.

Just as her heart rate was returning to normal, a knock on the door startled Tonks. She took another deep breath to calm her pulse that was thundering in her ears. "Who's there?" she asked sharply.

"Remus."

Tonks raised her wand to release her Locking Spell, but stopped as she thought of how angry Mad-Eye was already going to be with her when he got word of Malfoy being there. "Prove it," she called through the door. "What song did we dance to last week?"

"You Take My Breath Away," Remus answered.

Tonks released the lock and wrenched the door open. Grabbing Remus by the hand, she tugged him inside, slamming the door once more.

"I followed him until I saw him Disapparate," Remus said breathlessly before grabbing Tonks by the shoulders and kissing her soundly on the lips before pulling her close to his chest. "You are without a doubt the maddest woman I have ever met."

Tonks laughed shakily into his robes. "How much did you hear?"

"I was walking up the stairs just in time to hear you call him a wanker."

Tonks lifted her head from Remus' chest and smiled. "You heard nearly all of it, then."

Remus stepped away from Tonks and raised his wand, waving a complicated pattern and muttering incantations quietly as he moved about the sitting area.

"What are you doing?"

Remus finished his sweep of the sitting are before turning to the kitchen. "I'm checking your flat for any Dark magic."

Tonks sighed. "You mean to say you're channeling Mad-Eye."

Remus paused his search of the kitchen to turn his head to Tonks with a slight smile. "I get the distinct feeling that Mad-Eye is barely tolerating the idea of the two of us together. I'd fear for my safety if he found out that my vigilance hadn't compelled me to make sure Malfoy didn't leave any surprises behind."

Even with the threat of Mad-Eye's wrath, Tonks thought Remus was overreacting. "He wasn't here that long," she protested.

"Have you any idea how long he was here before you arrived?" Remus asked. When Tonks didn't respond, he simply turned back to his search.

Merlin save me from overprotective men. She flopped onto her couch and crossed her arms sulkily, waiting for Remus to finish his task. Once he had checked each room, he took a seat next to Tonks on the sofa and pulled her feet onto his lap. She told herself that returning to Headquarters to alert Order members of Malfoy's breaking and entering was unnecessary; she could write a quick report to Dumbledore without alerting the entire Order that she'd not taken proper precautions. Taking a deep breath, and hoping Remus wouldn't argue, she said, "Don't say anything to Mad-Eye." When he averted his gaze and began untying the laces of her boots without a word, Tonks narrowed her eyes at him and scowled. "You've already called him here, haven't you?"

Remus pulled off Tonks' boots and began rubbing one of her feet. "I sent a Patronus once Malfoy Disapparated, telling him to check the area."

Tonks huffed in annoyance and began to pull her feet from Remus' lap. "What the buggeration did you do that for?"

"I won't apologize for being concerned for your safety," he replied calmly, grabbing her ankles so she couldn't retreat. "I don't want to see a repeat of the last time it was two of them against you."

"Are you forgetting that I was the one who walked away from that fight?" Tonks asked, annoyed at Remus' even tone as she leaned forward and grabbed his ear in a move Molly Weasley would have applauded, forcing him to let go of one ankle to grab her wrist.

"If I remember correctly, I carried you away from that fight," Remus said with a grin, pulling her hand away from his ear and holding it tight in his grip.

"This isn't funny, Professor," Tonks said, annoyed further at being reminded that she had been carried into the Hogwarts hospital wing. She pressed her now-free foot against the pressure point in the side of Remus' thigh and used it as leverage to try and push away. "Let me up so I can fix my wards before Mad-Eye comes round from his bloody safety patrol."

Remus was much stronger than his lean frame suggested. Regardless of pulling an ear and pushing on a pressure point, he easily shifted on the couch to pin Tonks' wriggling body beneath his. He held her captured wrist above her head and maneuvered to seize the other, grasping them both in one of his large hands. With their bodies pressed together and their legs entwined, Tonks would have found their position amenable to snogging purposes if she weren't so irritated at being treated as if she couldn't handle herself. But she was irritated, so she simply glared at Remus as she attempted to free herself.

"Are you still going to be in a nark if I let you up?" Remus asked, his hoarse voice entirely too enticing for Tonks' liking.

"Yes," she said defiantly, pulling fruitlessly against the strength of Remus' grip.

"Why?" He looked seriously into Tonks' eyes. "The Order should know that you've been followed."

Tonks shook her head. "Malfoy didn't follow me. He said it himself just before you arrived that all he had to do was dig up the rental agreement for my flat."

Remus hummed thoughtfully. "Why are you angry that I called for Mad-Eye to check the area?"

Tonks looked up at Remus as she thought through the various reasons for her temper, wondering which one would be easiest to admit out loud. Because Malfoy being in her flat was not only unsettling, but had ruined a perfectly nice ending to their evening? Because she knew she hadn't been as cautious as she should have been? Because she felt like she'd let Mad-Eye down a bit? Because she wasn't a helpless woman who needed protection? Tonks decided the last was the least embarrassing reason. "Because I'm not some—"

"Damsel in distress," Remus finished. He smiled as he used his free hand to push back a piece of hair that had fallen across her forehead during their scuffle. Tonks scowled as she saw that the lock of offending hair had turned a deep fiery red with her temper. "I've told you before I don't think that of you. If a Death Eater enters The Burrow, or Bill's flat or, or Sturgis' house, I'd still have someone check the area."

Tonks sighed heavily and relaxed against Remus' grip. Looking into his face, serious again after his last statement, she thought that perhaps having him concerned for her safety wasn't the same as him doubting her abilities. She rested her head against the cushioned arm of the couch, letting the comforting weight of Remus' body sooth her as she closed her eyes to morph her hair back to the Weasley red it had been.

"This isn't how I wanted the evening to end, you know," Tonks said ruefully.

"Indeed," Remus said. He released Tonks' wrists from his grip and rolled them so they were lying facing each other on the couch, their robes tangled around them. With a playful smile he said, "I was rather hoping to find out if you were wearing matching undergarments again."

Tonks couldn't help but smile. "Knowing Mad-Eye, he'll patrol the entire borough," she said as she slid a hand under Remus' jumper and tugged his undershirt free from his trousers before running her fingers across the bare skin of his lower back. "That leaves us plenty of time for you to kiss away my narky mood."

Remus let out a little groan that Tonks thought was half pleasure, half regret. "He'll likely make his so-called safety patrol brief so he can come back and tell you off," he said as he grabbed Tonks' hand before she could finish untucking his shirt. "He's also unlikely to knock before entering."

Tonks giggled. "Can't you hear his leg thumping from a mile away?"

"Not when I'm thoroughly distracted, you wicked woman."

"I thought you were coming over to witness my ill behavior, Professor," she said innocently.

Remus chuckled then lifted his head and gave her a swift kiss before disentangling himself from their embrace and rapidly getting to his feet. "Speaking of hearing his approach, we're getting ready to be interrupted for the second time this evening."

Tonks groaned as she reached for Remus' outstretched hand let him pull her from the couch. She'd barely gotten to her feet when she heard the locks click. Mad-Eye pushed the door open, letting it thump into the wall before he stepped in and slammed it closed behind him.

"You forgot to knock, you know," Tonks said, adjusting her robes.

Mad-Eye narrowed his eye at her as his magical eye scanned the room, probably searching for traps. "Figured since you're letting Death Eaters into your flat, I'd just come on in."

"I didn't invite him—"

"You might as well have!" he yelled. "Do you get it now, you daft girl?"

Tonks put her hands on her hips. "I got it before, you grumpy old sod!"

Mad-Eye took a step closer to Tonks. Remus moved to step between them before Tonks held up a hand to stop him. They'd had some epic shouting matches before, and she knew he just needed to bluster and say his peace. He was mad at her, of course, but more than that she suspected he was upset that she'd caused him to worry.

"Then why didn't you listen and fix your security when I said to?" he bellowed.

"If you hadn't noticed, I've been a bit busy lately!"

Mad-Eye gestured to Remus. "Busy with distractions you don't need, Nymphadora," he barked.

"Don't bring Remus into this, Alastor," Tonks yelled, feeling the color rising in her cheeks. "I'm sorry I didn't do what you told me to, but I'll fix my wards before you leave tonight, all right?"

Mad-Eye's response was cut off by a knock at the door. Tonks and Mad-Eye stared at one another for a few moments before Tonks called, "Who is it?"

"Mrs. Abbott."

Tonks rolled her eyes. The nosy witch across the hall must have heard their argument. She waited for Mad-Eye to step aside before wrenching her door open to find the older woman standing on the other side.

"You really should cast a Silencing Charm, Miss Tonks, if you're going to carry on like that," she said disapprovingly. "Perhaps you could cease your argument and invite me in so that I might tell you about the men snooping around recently."

Mad-Eye grumbled something under his breath before scowling at Remus and shouldering him out of the way to settle himself in the armchair, clearly unhappy to have his reprimand interrupted.

Tonks stepped aside to allow Mrs. Abbott into her flat, hoping that the information the woman was going to share would decrease rather than increase Mad-Eye's anger. Remembering that her mother would have insisted she introduce her guest—uninvited or not—to the others in the room, Tonks gestured toward Mad-Eye and said, "Edith Abbott, this is—"

"I know perfectly well who Alastor Moody is, young lady," Mrs. Abbott said primly. "One doesn't work at the Ministry as long as I did without knowing some names. His name in particular is quite well-known."

Tonks raised her eyebrows at Mad-Eye, wanting to make a joke of him having a fan club, but decided against it. "Since you know Mad-Eye, this is—"

"I'm also quite aware who your gentleman friend is." Mrs. Abbott held up a hand to stop Tonks from responding. "Before you lose your temper again, I'll tell you that my great niece spoke very highly of him and was quite distressed upon his resignation."

Curious to his reaction, Tonks looked to Remus. "Abbott," he murmured thoughtfully. "Ah, yes. Hannah. Hufflepuff. Passed the final exam with excellent marks if I remember correctly."

"Good memory," Mrs. Abbott said with a smile. "Now, young man," she began, speaking to Remus as she took a seat on the couch. "I think tea is in order. These two certainly sound like they need it," she said, waving a hand airily at Tonks and Mad-Eye. "Can you see to that?"

Remus nodded bemusedly and walked to Tonks' kitchen to pull mugs from the cupboard and fill the kettle.

Tonks looked bewilderedly at the woman. Not recalling a conversation beyond pleasantries before now, she was surprised to have her asking somebody to prepare tea in her flat. "Have you called this meeting to order, then?" she asked flippantly.

"Sit, my dear," Mrs. Abbott said, patting the couch cushion next to her. "I have no doubt this information will be useful to you."

Her tone had softened slightly, prompting Tonks to take a seat while studying the older woman who, on closer inspection, didn't look old enough to have been retired long. With a pleasantly plump figure and slightly graying wavy blonde hair that just grazed her shoulders, Tonks thought she looked just as a kindly aunt should. She had a friendly face, which made her feel mildly ashamed that she'd not befriended the woman in the time she'd lived in the building.

"If this information is so useful, why is she just now hearing it?" Mad-Eye growled from his spot in the chair.

Tonks suspected that his angry expression and posture was employed to make an impression on the woman; his wooden leg was stretched out in front of him and he gripped his wand in his hand resting on a knee.

"I'm sure you know, Mr. Moody, that Miss Tonks is rarely home these days," Mrs. Abbott replied, unfazed by Mad-Eye's gruff tone. "I've knocked several times over the last few days to no avail. The information I have to give was best not left in a note."

"Aye," Mad-Eye said grudgingly.

Remus had managed to put together decent tea from the hodgepodge of things in Tonks' kitchen and had levitated four mugs—one that likely held only hot water since Remus knew that Mad-Eye would provide his own tea bag—to the coffee table while carrying a sugar bowl and a glass that served as a milk jug. As he handed her a mug, Tonks gave him a small smile she hoped told him that this night was continuing to unfold in a manner not to her expectations. His fingers lingered momentarily on hers, and he returned her small smile, telling her he understood completely.

"I'm sure you think I'm nosy," Mrs. Abbott began after adding milk to her tea. "You're completely correct. After nearly fifty years working at the Ministry and having gossip easily flying about, I find I rather miss it. These days the best way to find gossip is to search for it myself."

"Explains why you're always poking your head out your door," Tonks said before taking a sip of her tea.

"I'm sure you and Mr. Lupin were most disappointed at the unfortunate timing of my presence last Saturday night," Mrs. Abbott said with a wry smile.

Tonks nearly choked on her tea and decided that she wouldn't provoke the older woman any further with snarky comments, especially if her return comments were going to incite Mad-Eye into glaring daggers at Remus, who was leaning against her kitchen counter with a ghost of a smile on his face. His smile quickly faded as he looked up to meet Mad-Eye's stare.

Mrs. Abbott's friendly smile widened. "I'll not say anything more on the subject seeing that it appears Mr. Moody doesn't approve."

"It's Mad-Eye or Alastor, not Mr. Moody," Mad-Eye said impatiently. "Now, what is it you have to say?"

"Alastor, then, as I prefer that to Mad-Eye," Mrs. Abbott said with a firm nod. "There was a man earlier this week who was attempting to enter this flat. I watched him for a short time through the peep hole before I confronted him and asked that he state his purpose."

"Did you recognize him?" Tonks asked. She doubted it was Malfoy considering she'd said he was attempting to enter her flat; Malfoy had obviously been able to get through her wards.

Mrs. Abbott shook her head. "Dark hair, weak chin. Looked to be uncomfortable with his task, if you ask me. He left rather quickly."

Tonks furrowed her brow as she thought of who Lucius had given her address to since she knew she hadn't been followed. Dark hair. Weak chin. Realization dawned suddenly. William Murphy. It seemed the blighter from the MLE office was continuing his campaign to become the world's largest prat.

"Speak up, lass," Mad-Eye said.

"William Murphy," Tonks said, not realizing she'd said the name aloud. "The parchment pusher from the MLE office I overheard at—" She stopped herself before she revealed the location of her mission in front of Mrs. Abbott. "I overheard on a mission. Tonight's visitor has Murphy doing his bidding."

"Yes, well, I told him it wasn't proper for him to be trying to enter a woman's flat without her knowledge. I also told him if he wanted in your home, he'd have to bloody well wait to be invited."

"Thanks for that," Tonks said, wishing that she'd been there when Mrs. Abbott had confronted Murphy.

"And the visitor tonight?" Mad-Eye asked. "Did you confront him too?"

Mrs. Abbott chuckled. "I may seek out the gossip, but I'm not completely daft. I peeked out to see who was calling on Miss Tonks and immediately Floo'd to my sister's, having no desire to pretend to be out if he came knocking on my door. The day he's actually reformed from his past deeds is the day I declare myself a Veela." She paused to take a long sip of her tea. "I arrived back home in time to hear your…disagreement."

Tonks was shocked to hear a grunt from Mad-Eye and see his glare erased by a look of approval. "You took the right precautions," he said.

"I'm sorry he came here," Tonks said, feeling bad that her job and work for the Order brought Malfoy anywhere near the woman's home.

"You can no more help what that man does than you can control the dreary English weather," Mrs. Abbott replied. "There were those who fought their way through the war the first go round," she said lifting her mug to Mad-Eye. "And there were those who survived by keeping our heads down and helping out where we could. Which is what I'm trying to do tonight."

Taking a soothing sip of tea, Tonks looked to Mad-Eye and saw that he was giving Mrs. Abbott an appraising look, as if trying to decide whether she was friend or foe. She nearly choked on her drink for the second time that night when she saw his expression soften slightly into an almost-smile and nod his head once at the woman, who returned his nod with a small smile. It was said that the way to a typical man's heart was through his stomach; Tonks knew this would be wasted on Mad-Eye considering he'd more likely Incendio any food or baked good gifted to him. If there was ever a way to get on Mad-Eye's good side, it was through exercising caution and vigilance at all times, and apparently Mrs. Abbott had shown she was worthy of one of Mad-Eye's rare pleasant expressions.

"Now." Mrs. Abbott placed her mug on the coffee table. "I think there is some discussion to be had amongst the three of you that does not include my company. You, my dear," she said as she turned to Tonks. "Now that we've met properly, you're to aid an old lady's desire for gossip by coming round for tea Sunday evening." She stood from the couch and placed her hands on her rounded hips. "You can't turn me down as I very well know that you're usually home on Sunday evenings. Feel free to bring your gentleman friends along as well."

Tonks looked at the batty witch and decided she liked her. She seemed to be like her coworker Millie Bennett in that she said whatever mad thing came to mind. Tea on Sunday would at least prove entertaining.

"Since you seem to know my schedule better than me, I suppose I've no choice but to say yes," Tonks said with a quirk of her eyebrow as she stood to show Mrs. Abbott out.

"Oh, sit, dear," she said as she patted Tonks on the shoulder. "I can find my way out of your flat, even untidy as it is."

Remus crossed the room to open the door for her neighbor. "Such a gentleman you are, Mr. Lupin," she said with a pat to Remus' cheek. "It's no wonder your young lady wanted to snog the daylights out of you in the corridor. Will you be coming round on Sunday?"

Tonks covered her face with her hands, making a mental note to finish her goodnight kisses to Remus behind closed doors from now on.

Remus chuckled good naturedly. "I'm afraid I have a prior engagement, but next time I'd be happy to tag along. And please, call me Remus. I think after seeing us in a compromising position, we can surely be on a first name basis. Thank you for your information, Mrs. Abbott."

"Please call me Edith. That goes for you, too, Alastor," she called over her shoulder before crossing the hall.

After Remus closed the door, the three of them sat quietly for a few moments before Remus was brave enough to break the silence. "That was an unexpected turn of events." He joined Tonks—who had propped her feet on the table and leaned back on the cushions with an arm flung over her eyes—on the couch. "She's quite a character."

"She provided useful information," Mad-Eye said.

Tonks moved her arm to peer at Mad-Eye. Thinking of the look he'd given Mrs. Abbott a few minutes before, she chanced angering him once more that evening and said, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you like my meddling old neighbor."

"I don't like people," he replied, shifting uncomfortably and avoiding Tonks' gaze.

"You like me," Tonks said with a cheeky grin.

"When you're not being difficult," he grumbled.

In a gesture of goodwill, she picked up her wand from the coffee table and placed its tip and the palm of her other hand to the closed door. As she murmured an incantation, warmth flowed under her palm as the door glowed briefly in response to her spell.

"There." Tonks stepped back, satisfied for the moment with her new wards. "With the double Recognition Charm, nobody can get into my flat unless they Disarm me and cut off my hand." Tonks thought that maybe she'd add some Runes later for good measure.

She turned to find Mad-Eye glaring again.

Remus gave her an incredulous look. "That's all it took you to secure your flat, and you hadn't taken the time until now?"

"Of course it didn't take any time," Mad-Eye said, replacing his frown with a slight smirk.

"I learned security from the most paranoid bugger in Britain," Tonks said. "I never said it was too difficult to tighten my wards, it honestly just slipped my mind. Now that it's done, I think I'll work out a way to get back at the arse that dug up my address."

"I think your time would be better spent searching for a new flat," Mad-Eye said levelly.

"Now that I'm just getting to know my neighbors?" Tonks said around a wide yawn.

"I'm serious, girl."

"I reckon you are, but I'm not discussing it at—" Tonks paused to check the wall clock and yawned again. "It's nearly midnight. We'll discuss your paranoid tendencies another time."

"Aye," Mad-Eye conceded as he pushed himself up from his chair. "We should get some rest before taking the young ones to King's Cross in the morning. Come on, Lupin."

Remus looked up with a startled expression as Tonks rolled her eyes. "He'll get to bed soon, like a good boy. But, he's going to say goodnight first," she said.

"A handshake will do for saying goodnight." Mad-Eye stumped past Tonks to the door and pulled it open. "Who knows what we'll come across tomorrow, which means we'll have to keep our heads on straight. I'll wait in the hall, Lupin."

Tonks giggled as Remus heaved himself up from the couch and stuck out his hand. "Good night, Professor," she said, shaking his hand.

"This was a far cry from our original plans for the evening," Remus murmured as he bent down to kiss her cheek, his lips lingering.

"Did you have more than a handshake in mind?" Tonks asked with a coy smile.

After Mad-Eye growled at Remus to "hurry it up", Tonks closed the door behind them and engaged her new wards before readying herself for bed. Not that she would admit it to Mad-Eye, but she was glad for the tightened security after her uncle's surprise visit.

.

The next day, Tonks watched the Hogwarts Express chug from sight and withdrew the red leash she'd Transfigured from a scarf the week before. Once Snuffles trotted over to where she stood with Remus, Mad-Eye, and Molly, she slipped it over his head.

"Act more like a dog," she scolded in a whisper, looking around to see if anyone was giving the giant black dog a second glance. She didn't want Snuffles drawing any more attention to their group after he'd practically hugged Harry goodbye before the train left.

Tonks gave a quick tug to get Sirius to follow her, breaking him from his staring contest with the spot in the station where Harry's compartment had been just minutes before. Mad-Eye left quickly, determined to find out why Sturgis hadn't shown up for the walk to the station. Molly left shortly behind him, only after giving a plea to return Sirius to Headquarters before disaster struck.

"Do you have to report to work?" Remus asked.

"Nope," Tonks replied happily. "Kingsley has me marked off doing paperwork for the day."

"Shall we walk back?" Remus asked, offering his arm to Tonks.

"Let's walk to the bookshop down the way. I owe your friend a walk and some new books," Tonks said, looping her arm through Remus' before they pushed through the barrier to the Muggle platform and walked through the crowded station. They stopped briefly behind a bay of lockers so Tonks could morph her features back to normal and Transfigure her purple hat and house shoes back to purple robes and black trainers.

Remus discreetly cast a Disillusionment Charm over Snuffles and his red leash before they entered the large Muggle chain bookshop. Tonks kept ahold of the leash as she pulled Remus by the hand through the rows of books, scanning the plaques on the shelves until she found a row in the back that held multiple shelves of paperback romance novels. The covers were inspiring in their own right; men and women in various stages of undress and embraces of passion.

Remus picked book from a shelf and eyed it amusedly. "This is what you're buying your cousin?"

"It was his request," Tonks said, taking the book from his hands. "Here." She flipped the book to the middle and scanned through a few pages. "This is how you tell if it's any good."

"Start in the middle?" Remus asked skeptically.

"The best sexy parts are always in the middle and again towards the end." Tonks scanned a few pages before she found what she was looking for. "Here we go," she said and began to read aloud in a low breathy voice. "Lorelei's body was alight with fire from Alan's touch. Every stroke of his fingers was a like a flame of desire coursing through her body, threatening to consumer her. Each stroke of his tongue was causing her to cry out, begging for the wave of passion that was rising within to break. She craved his touch and hungered for release—"

"I think I get the idea," Remus said huskily as he abruptly took the book from Tonks' hands and closed it.

Tonks snatched the book back. "You interrupted before her passion broke," she said with a grin. "Poor girl. She'll need more than a handshake to get her out of that wretched state."

Remus gave her a roguish grin and leaned down to murmur in her ear. "Poor, poor Lorelei. Alan will have to make it up to her."

His voice sent a shiver down Tonks' spine. With delicious thoughts of what Remus' touch could do to her, she pushed her free hand into his shaggy hair, and said, "As well he should. Or else Lorelei will have to continue taking care of her passion on her own to thoughts of Alan."

Remus inhaled sharply and sent another thrill through Tonks' body as he nibbled lightly on her ear. "That is a thought that should keep Alan occupied for some time."

A low growl from Snuffles brought them back to reality. Having forgotten the pooch's presence, they sprang apart and smiled, Tonks reaching down to pat his head apologetically. The interrupting pooch tugged on the leash still clutched in her hand, likely indicating that he didn't wish to be privy to their amorous talk. Tonks grabbed two other books by the same author before they paid for their purchase and left the store. They walked down the sidewalk in search of a quiet spot between store fronts in which they could lift the Disillusionment Charm and Apparate. As Tonks was telling Remus of a chips shop her dad had recommended and asking whether he was game for a beer at noon, a silver cloud of mist formed in front of her, followed by a voice that said, "Get to your flat immediately."

Tonks looked around wildly, hoping that none of the Muggles nearby had seen the unformed Patronus, or heard the heavily disguised voice. Seeing nothing amiss, she pulled the leash and grabbed Remus' hand to drag him into the nearest alley.

"Who was that?" Remus asked urgently.

"Mad-Eye," Tonks said, cancelling the Disillusionment Charm and pulling the leash from Snuffles' neck.

Snuffles wined as Remus asked, "Are you certain?"

Tonks nodded. "He thinks Patronuses are too recognizable, and he uses a Voice Charm just in case." The fact that Mad-Eye had sent a Patronus at all had Tonks worried; he never sent one unless it was urgent. She rolled up the leash and stashed it in her robes. "Can you Apparate with a dog?" Tonks had her answer when Remus leaned down and wrapped his arms around the massive black dog. "Good. Meet me at my flat."

When Tonks landed at her door, Mad-Eye was already there, leaning against the wall and staring at his watch. Remus arrived with Snuffles a few moments later, just as Tonks was releasing the new wards. Once inside with the door locked and a Silencing Charm in place, Mad-Eye began to explain.

"Sturgis is in custody." They all gasped, Sirius swearing loudly now that he was human once more. Mad-Eye held up an impatient hand to stop them from speaking. "The Watch wizards questioned him last night, but now they want the Auror department to handle the interrogation before he sits in front of the Wizengamot."

They all jumped at the sound of an owl tapping against her kitchen window. Tonks hurried to the window and hastily untied the parchment from the bird's leg, sending it away before it could beg for a treat.

"That'll be an official notice from Kingsley," Mad-Eye said as she scanned the parchment.

Auror Tonks,

Your presence is requested to assist Auror Bennett in the questioning one Sturgis Podmore. Mr. Podmore was apprehended early in the morning on Friday September 1st attempting to force his way into the Department of Mysteries. Report to the Ministry immediately.

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Tonks immediately set into action. She shrugged out of her purple robes and flung them to the couch, at the same time kicking her trainers under the coffee table. She walked the short corridor leading to her bedroom, pulling her shirt over her head as she went. "Someone do a quick ironing spell on these," she said as she picked up the wrinkled set of Auror robes she knew her badge was still attached to from their spot at the end of her bed and flung them into the hall. She rifled through the clean clothes that she'd yet to put away and located the pair of frayed blue jeans she was searching for and replaced her nicer dark wash jeans for them. Closing her eyes, she morphed her hair from the purple bob that had matched her robes to her messy bright pink pixie before pulling on a purple and pink raglan shirt.

"I thought you were changing into something more official," Sirius said with a look of confusion as she walked into the sitting room with her boots in hand.

Tonks shook her head as she plopped on the couch to shove her feet into her boots. "Have you ever seen Millie Bennett?" Sirius shook his head, and Tonks continued as she hurriedly tied her laces. "She's really a riot, but she's tall and grey haired and wears an eye patch. She's likely already talking with Sturgis, giving him hell and threatening him." Tonks stood and let Remus help her shrug into her robes before she grabbed her wand she'd tossed on the couch. "She'll start the interview and then they send me in looking much more friendly, ready to offer him tea and apologies."

"Try to find out what you can," Mad-Eye said. "We'll be at Headquarters when you're done."

She gave Remus a quick kiss for luck and rushed out of the flat.

A/N: A thousand apologies for missing a week! Life and stuff... . Thank you to all of the reviewers who helped pushed me to write late at night when all of my kids were in the house during spring break and doctor appointments took up my spare time! And, of course, thank you to the lovely Kerichi who gave me an idea that was too fun to pass up:). Review, please!