A/N: TPOV

As the meeting dismissed, Tonks had wanted to leave as soon as possible, but found herself discussing various fortification strategies with Kingsley.

"Given what we know of the Dark Lord's forces, is it still most likely that, should a full attack happen, it will be from the Forbidden Forest?" She asked, thinking of how much of the castle faced the water. The lake could either prove to be one of the castle's greatest strengths or greatest weaknesses.

"Given what we know? Yes, that still seems most likely. However, it wouldn't hurt to look into ways of counteracting an attack from the water. All of Voldemort's forces seem land based, but in the end, the attack that we are most vulnerable to is the one we didn't prepare for. Look up our various options and let me know what you find. Keep up the good work Tonks." Kingsley smiled at her, his hand squeezing her shoulder encouragingly before turning to try and catch Albus before he left.

Tonks watched him walk away and noticed that Remus had just finished the conversation he was in. As their eyes met, Tonks cursed under her breath and headed through the door and out into the hallway. A hand closed around her upper arm, not tight enough to hurt, but tight enough that she couldn't simply pull away and keep walking. Spinning to face the minor encumbrance she found herself glaring darkly up into the face of Remus Lupin. Instead of her glare lessening, it deepened rather considerably as her eyes flickered from his face to his hand wrapped around her arm and back again.

Remus' eyes widened slightly at the fire that was held in her eyes as she looked up at him. He had never seen her so furious, especially at him. As her eyes flickered down to his hand he held on for just a second more, partially because he loved the feel of her and partially because he was afraid that if he let go she would retreat again. "Nym…" Her eyes narrowed into slits. "Tonks, we need to talk."

"Talk? We need to TALK! Last I heard from you, you didn't want to talk. You wanted me to leave you alone. Now that that is exactly what I am doing, you want to talk." Tonks whispered furiously, spitting out the last word as if it were a curse. She hadn't realized until his back hit the wall that she had slowly and determinedly been advancing on him.

Remus looked down at her with a sense of wonder. He had seen her in battle and truly appreciated her skill, but looking at her now? This impassioned, albeit furious witch in front of him could only be characterized as exquisite. He wondered what that furious look would turn into if he were to grasp her face and kiss her. Her face was close enough that it wouldn't take much to close the distance. A throat clearing forced his attention elsewhere. Snape.

"Pardon me, Nyphadora, I was just on my way to the library for a bit of reading."

Tonks moved to the side allowing Severus room to pass, thankful for the intervention. She hadn't realized just how close she was to throttling Remus. She smiled, inhaling deeply using Severus' brief presence as a calming force. She leaned back against the other side of the hallway watching Severus and Remus exchange overly polite and curt greetings.

"So what is it Remus?" She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Do you want talk or not? Because I can't do both. "

Looking at her now, Remus knew exactly what he wanted to do, but what he should do? Yes he wanted her, but he wasn't what he wanted for her. He wanted to give her a safe and stable life, something he couldn't provide. It made sense when he was away from her, like when he wrote that letter to her. But when she was standing before him, or when she was as close to him as she was earlier, even when she had been three chairs down from him, logically briefing Hogwarts security? The raging objections that plagued his mind reduced to whispers.

"I…I don't know." He admitted honestly, immediately regretting his words as he saw the hurt look that crossed her face. He tried to go to her and this time it was her that retreated, forcing him to stop.

"That's not good enough." Tonks whispered, the pain evident in her voice, as her arms wrapped around herself. "You know where I stand Remus, but I don't know where you do and obviously neither do you. When you finally figure that out let me know." Tonks turned away from him, leaving him standing in the hallway.

Remus watched her leave before turning back towards the kitchen. He knew better than to follow her right now and could really use some more of Molly's tea and maybe a bite or two of chocolate. He felt as drained as he would after a dementor attack. In fact, he would rather face a dementor than see that hurt look ever cross her features, let alone be the cause of it. Molly gave him a sympathetic smile as she refilled his glass, before returning to her discussion with Arthur about Ron's latest crush.

Tonks headed for the library, desperate to get away from everyone and just have someplace quiet to think. Knowing that if she left this early it would simply create more questions, questions she didn't feel like answering just yet…if ever. She pushed open the door and froze. She had been so focused on Remus that she hadn't truly registered when Severus had said about going to the library. "Ahhh…" She glanced from Severus to the now shut door and back again, knowing she had nowhere else to retreat to. She ducted her head while heading toward the bookcase, purposefully turning her back to him so that maybe he wouldn't realize just how frazzled she was. Please don't ask. Please.