A/N: TPOV
Tonks arrived late having had to hurry to finish her report and meet with Mad-eye. Her debrief of both the items from Borgin and Burkes as well as Severus' injuries had gone smoothly. However, she had to keep concentrating on saying "Snape" instead of "Severus". If she all of a sudden seemed to be on a first name basis with the death eater turned spy, Mad-eye of all people would notice. Over the years of mentorships she had become used to both his gruff nature and his magical eye. It had unnerved her at first. She felt like he always knew what she was doing, what she was thinking. She had solved that by never having to hide anything. Now?
"Is everything alright, Nyphadora?" His gravel voice asked next to her as they walked up the sidewalk toward 12 Grimmuald place. Blast! I knew he was looking at me! Tonks gave him a sharp look for using her first name as she scrambled to come up with a reply.
"Lupin is safe, he arrived early this morning."
She came to an abrupt stop, the statement catching her completely off guard.Lupin. Remus. Safe…Right. In the past, Remus' monthly departures had left her worried and frazzled. She often threw herself into her work while he was away as a method of distracting her from wondering what new scratches and scars would be there when he returned. Because of this, Mad-eye had noticed and often indulged her need to stay focused with added assignments. Thanks to her new duty at Hogwarts she had kept busy in many ways. The least of which being my actual duty of patrolling. Tonks scolded herself, understanding why Mad-eye was worried. Given her debrief, her last week or so had been rather uneventful. A few dark items and one injured Order member was, unfortunately, small when facing the ever encroaching possibility of open wizarding warfare. However, instead of her usual worry, she hadn't thought about Remus' safety once. Their relationship? Yes. How she wanted to throttle him? Numerous times. But if he was okay? Guilt ran through her as she realized that, for the first time, she hadn't considered his safety or the possibility of him not returning. She had been too busy seeing to Severus' safety and scars at the time.
Tonks tried to force her frown into a smile as she shrugged off Mad-eye's question and continued walking toward the front steps of the house that was slowly appearing.
Mad-eye followed, determining to keep a closer eye on her, but knowing better than to press the issue. He had seen her lose her temper before thanks to his prying questions. She had been right then; she wasn't a criminal needing interrogation, she was a fellow auror who had a right to her privacy. He was simply her mentor, albeit a mentor who cared deeply for her. "Stupid wolf," he cursed quietly. If Lupin can't see what an amazing witch she is then he can go fig himself. I just sure as hell don't want to see her get hurt because of him. Mad-eye thought as he entered the house, his eye swiveling around to ensure that the street was clear and no one outside had seen anyone enter.
Tonks worked her way through the house. Already a sheet had been thrown over Mrs. Black's portrait. Her typically screeching rants diminished to grumbles, "Filthy mudbloods…soiling my house…eating my food…you should all be poisoned…All half-bloods and blood traitors as well…nothing is pure anymore…" It was always such a lovely experience to hear from her great aunt. My family is a bloody mess. Tonks sighed as the voice faded and she continued toward the rumble of voices coming from the dining room.
Pushing open the door, she entered, holding the door open for Mad-eye as she glanced around quickly to see who was here and what seats were open. Severus was sitting in his typical dark corner. However, instead of his usual disinterested and aloof gaze, sometimes even disdainful sneer, he was glaring daggers at a cat that seemed perfectly happy to have his full attention as it rubbed back and forth against his black pant leg. The cat also had Minerva's full attention. A slight smile on her lips as if she couldn't be more pleased with the feline's current hobby.
Next, sat the majority of the Weasley clan. A seat was left open for Molly, who was still serving tea. Ever the nurturing figure, she was currently talking to Remus discussing tea that aided health, recovery and energy. Tonks couldn't help noticing the grey look of his skin or the tired look in his eyes or the fact that he was located in his usual spot at the opposite end of the table from Snape, which forced her to look for seats in the middle when she would preferred to have a comfortable distance from both of them rather than stuck in between. Glancing around one last time as she took her seat she realized what was off, Albus still hadn't arrived. Guess I wasn't late or the last to arrive after all.