I am so so sorry that I took so long to update, I feel bad, really I do. You can thank Deathly Hallows prt1 that an update is coming now. Went and saw it on opening day, and holly sheep man is all I can say. If you haven't gone and seen it yet, then get yourself there soon, cause, wow. But yeah, it inspired me to get back in the game as it were and stop neglecting this fic, which I'm sad to say I have been. There were two lovely Tonks, Lupin moments, although my only criticism was that it seemed random that they were married and no one was like how the hell did that happen? It was amusing to say the least, that and other things. But that's movies I guess, you don't need to explain things and everyone thinks its normal. Anyway, without any further prattle, here's the chap!

August 1991

"Take her for a moment." Dana handed her almost one-year-old daughter over to Remus, looking slightly harried.

Rhiannon smiled at being in her godfather's arms and patted his cheek. She still wasn't talking, but neither Dana nor Mark was worried. Dana said that she herself didn't start until she was a year old and from then had never stopped.

Remus supposed that if Rhiannon was anything like her mum, they were lucky she hadn't started yet. Of course he never said this, he wasn't stupid.

"Are you giving your mum a hard time?" he asked the little girl, as Dana ran around her book shop trying to make sure everything was in order. She only stared up at him, her blue eyes wide in her small pale face.

"She's driving me spare, that's what she's doing." Dana declared as she scribbled in the accounts ledger. "I can't seem to get anything I need to done. I know it's not her fault, but every time I turn around she seems to be getting in to something!" she sighed and looked at them, watching as her daughter rested her dark head against his shoulder. "I should just leave her with Mark's mum. Probably be a good influence, she knows what to do with kids, me, I feel like I'm just stumbling along. Never was good with kids, don't know why I thought my own would be any different."

Remus could tell she was getting into one of her "hysterical" moments. Since Rhiannon had been born, Dana seemed to be suffering from mild depression. Every now and then she would become hysterical and someone would have to calm her down. Lately, as he was between jobs and Mark was away in France, it had fallen on Remus.

"Dana," he said gently but firmly. "You need to calm down. Everyone makes mistakes with their children, feels like they'll muck their lives up. Granted there are some people who shouldn't be parents, but you Dana Hawksley are not one of them. Now," he said in a quieter voice as she wiped a few stray tears away, "She's asleep. So I'll put her down in the back room, bring out that radio thing and then you are going to go get a coffee or something and I'll stay here with Rhiannon."

Then he went and tucked the little girl in on the cot in the back room and returned to find that Dana had composed herself. "I'm sorry Remus. I know I'm a mess. It's just with Mark gone I suppose I'm feeling overwhelmed. You don't need to stay, I'm fine now."

He shook his head and leaned back against the counter. "Go. You'll feel better for it. I Remember my friend, Lily, used to get like this sometimes. The only thing for it was to hand her son off to someone else and have some time to herself."

Dana sighed and headed for the door, for once not noticing the melancholy look that came over her friends face or the way he shook his head as if to dislodge the feeling.

"I'll be back in an hour," she promised as she slipped out the door.

As soon as she was gone Remus flicked his wand, and the open sign switched to closed. Then he settled back to wait.

December 1991

"It has been too long Remus, how are you?"

Remus smiled, though there was strain behind his eyes. "I am well Albus. As well as I can be."

Dumbledore nodded, his blue eyes twinkling as ever. "And how, may I ask, is Nymphadora?"

"She too is well. Missing Alastor, she says it's still strange to come into work and not find him barking out orders at everyone."

Dumbledore chuckled. "That is to be expected. I understand they asked him to continue training new Auror recruits. He has told me however that this too will not last," Dumbledore sighed. "Sadly it has become the way of the ministry. Which brings me to why I wished to speak with you. I was concerned when I learned of the new legislation."

Remus took a sip of the tea Dumbledore had provided, but said nothing. There wasn't really anything he could say. Eventually he looked at the older man. "Yes. Honestly, I've been trying not to think too much about it. I hope, as long as I keep my head down, they won't come after me."

Dora had been outraged when she had read the news in the Prophet. The legislation, just introduced, had declared that Werewolves were now not allowed to own property. Remus had read the article, then threw the paper in the fire and reminded her that they shouldn't have anything to worry about as, in a bit of foresight years earlier, he had signed their home and outlaying property to Dumbledore, so it appeared that they did not own it. As long as they were careful, they would be fine. She hadn't said anything about it after that and he had been glad. They'd been arguing a lot lately and he was tired of it.

" I will, of course, continue to keep up the rouse that it is I who in fact owns the charming little house by the sea." Dumbledore assured him, a slight smile touching his lips.

Remus nodded. "Thank you. I know it's asking a lot, considering the other secrets we've asked you to keep, but…"

Dumbledore waved a hand dismissively. "I can handle the ministry, if it comes to it, but I think it will not. They only see what they wish too, and I am very adept at making people see what I want them too."

That you are, Remus thought. He could see how there were those that were afraid of Dumbledore. He was cunning, it was true.

As if reading his thoughts Dumbledore smiled and offered him more tea.

"You will no doubt be pleased to know that Harry seems to be doing quiet well." He said after taking a sip of his own drink.

"Is he?"

"Yes, he seems to be finding his way. He is much like his father in the respect that he seems to have nose for trouble. Severus has come to me several times to complain."

Remus laughed. "James would be proud. Lily on the other hand…"

There was a knock at the door of the office and Remus realized the time. "I should be going now Albus."

Dumbledore nodded. "Of course. Please give my regards to Nymphadora, although you may not wish to mention that I have used her first name. I am rather fond of my beard and would not like it lit on fire for my slip." He said sedately.

"Of course not." Remus had reached the door and Dumbledore called out. "Take care of your self Remus."

He looked back at his mentor and nodded. "I will."

June 1992

Tonks leaned against a metal pole with the number seven fixed to it and scanned the station quickly, whilst reminding herself mentally to keep the surly expression that was fixed to her face.

She was impersonating a skinny teenage girl, in a tight leather mini skirt, jacket and green and purple hair. She had been standing there, in Kings cross, for over an hour watching for the wizard that was supposed to be conducting the sale of a highly illegal substance.

The Auror office had been tipped off and she had drawn the short straw, as it were. So here she was, in an outfit she hadn't worn since she was in her early twenties, pretending to be a surly 17-year-old girl and quickly getting more board by the minute.

She had been hit on twice already by boys young enough to be her son, was now getting suspicious looks from security and decided that this was one disguise she would need to sack. Maybe I should have gone with the old woman? She wondered. No one questions an old woman lolling about.

The people venturing away from the signs for platform nine and ten grabbed her gaze briefly and she allowed herself a smile. A thought struck her then and she found herself looking more fully. Harry would be returning from his first year; if she could get even a glimpse of him…

Someone jostled her shoulder and she readopted her surely demenor. "Watch it yeah?" she glared at the man and noticed he was wearing a long coat when it was clearly too warm for such things.

"Sorry," he muttered as he moved on. She watched him and slowly straightened up. Long hair, glasses, and a shifty appearance. Could this be her guy?

She began to follow him, at a safe distance, as he moved towards platforms nine and ten. Was he really that stupid, she wondered, to conduct his business out in the open? Apparently.

The man gestured for another man waiting by the barrier to follow him and she knew then that this was definitely her guy.

"Come on, " she muttered. "Do something stupid so I can arrest you and get on with it."

The men had stopped a bit away and just seemed to be talking, so she settled in to wait.

"Come on boy," a voice snapped angrily. "Hurry up!"

And then a large mustached man, a horsey looking woman and a rather unfortunate looking large boy were moving past her, the woman sniffing in distain and averting her gaze when she passed Tonks.

She would have ignored them and continued to watch the men, if her attention hadn't been caught by the young boy trailing behind them pushing a trolley.

He stopped for a moment, seeming to adjust the owl cage perched on top of his truck and she was able to get a good look at him. Dark unruly hair, glasses, and his eyes as he turned back to continue pushing the trolley…

"Merlin's saggy pants," she breathed. There he was, looking just as Dumbledore had said, just like his dad.

And then he was gone into the crowd, pushing his trolley and she could once again see the two men who were now passing the afore mentioned substance.

Her last thought, before she prepared to make the arrest, was that she wished Remus could have been there to see just how much Harry looked like his parents.

November 1992

She watched, almost amusedly, as Moody barred down on the young man whom he was training in stealth, his wooden leg clunking. "You call that quiet?" he demanded.

"Hippogriffs in Spain could hear you." His eye whirled and she knew he was now looking at her.

"Get on with ya then," he ordered and the young man quickly fled, but not before Moody shouted, "And remember,"

"Constant Vigilance," she mouthed along with him.

The eye whirled again and he turned and fixed her with a baleful glare. "Nice to see that Scrimgeour hasn't stamped the impertinence out of ya."

She simply smiled, as she'd always done and said cheerfully,

"Rough go of it then Mad Eye?"

He snorted and clunked over to her. "Don't think I've ever met any one as bad at stealth as that one, present company excepted."

"Hey!" she protested. "Clumsiness is a genetic disorder! Besides," she smirked. "I'm told by certain men that it is endearing."

Moody snorted again, this time in amusement. Still she hadn't come to see him just so he could beret her for old times sake.

"I was just talking with Kingsley and Robbards. Is it true?"

His eye swiveled to pierce her. "Aye, lass. Full retirement, finally. My way's don't fit into the new system."

She didn't say anything, which was out of character for her. But she didn't know what to say. True Moody had been retired for a while now, but he'd still been around occasionally to help with training. But now, he would be gone.

"I suppose I'll just have to take to bugging Kingsley now, then. He's the only one besides you that appreciates my humor."

"You're too cheeky by half, " he muttered as they entered the lift. He looked fully at her now. "You watch out for yourself, the way things are going, if you don't it could be you they force out next. Would be a crime if all that time I put into training you was wasted because you don't have a filter between your head and gob."

Tonks knew he wasn't one for sentimentality and this was the closest she would ever get to him saying he cared. She herself had no such qualms.

"I love you too Mad Eye."

"Impertinent lass."

March 1993.

Remus was dreaming, he knew he was. Knew that what he was seeing, experiencing could now only exist in a dream. Or memory.

"Moony," a laughing voice called. "Oi, Moony come on get up."

He opened his eyes and blinked when he found a pair of dark eyes staring right back into his.

"Why," he asked calmly, "Do you always find it necessary to sit on me Sirius? I am not a chair."

"Course not," he agreed although he didn't move. "You're too boney to be a chair. Come on, get your arse up. Prongs and Wormtail and I got Firewhisky. Well James and I did, Peter almost got us caught." He stood, finally, perhaps realizing that Remus could not if he continued to sit on his stomach.

"I said I was sorry." Peter muttered almost indignantly. James clapped him on the back, good-naturedly. "All's well that ends well mate. No worries."

Remus sat up and stretched, causing his shoulder to crack. He couldn't help noticing Peter staring at him and apparently so did Sirius, as he rolled his eyes but refrained from saying anything disparaging for once.

Remus simply raised a brow and Peter smiled slightly and looked away.

Shaking his head, he shrugged into his dressing gown, or rather a dressing gown, their things tended to get a little mixed up, especially since both James and Sirius had a habit of simply leaving things where they fell.

"What's going on?" he asked, joining his friends. James was opening the bottle and Sirius conjured four glasses.

"It's after midnight." James said, as if that explained everything.

Remus again raised his brows, and it was Peter who elaborated.

"You were born at 1:35 am. In Two minutes, it will officially be your 17 birthday."

Sirius shoved a full glass into Remus's hand. "Yup. So, we thought we should welcome your coming of age the right way, or something like that."

Remus sighed, but couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips. "And you thought getting pissed in the early hours of the morning would be the best way to do it?"

"Exactly."

James looked at his watch. "Five seconds."

"Well then gents, lets raise our glasses then." Sirius raised his and Peter followed suit, as did James followed by a bemused Remus.

"To Remus Lupin, on this the occasion of his coming of age and to many more such birthdays, with all hopes he will age to be a lecherous old man, and keep me company in my bachelorhood."

Remus leaned into Peter who was beside him. "Has he already been drinking?"

He shook his head and they all downed their drinks.

"I resent that accusation," Sirius declared "I'll have you know It took me four days to think of that toast!"

"Some how," Remus said as James poured some whisky into his glass, "That doesn't surprise me."

"Oi!"

Remus opened his eyes and blinked at the light coming through the curtains. He was met with a gaze equally as dark as the one that he had woken to in his dream, although admittedly this one was much more welcome.

Soft lips met his in a languid kiss, which he returned with equal fevour.

"Happy Birthday love," She breathed, entwining her arms around him.

July 1993

Tonks tried to straighten her robes, holding back a yawn, as she stepped onto the lift. It was one in the morning; she had only gotten an hour and a half of sleep, before being called back into work.

She knew the situation, whatever it was, must be urgent. She had only been called in this early once before in her 11 years of being an Auror, and that had been when some lunatic threatened to blow up Grimgots.

The grills opened and she stepped out. The noise that greeted her was deafening. Everyone seemed to be yelling at each other, men and women in both the Auror scarlet and the blue robes of the MLE were running around, many jamming onto the lifts, wands already drawn, grim looks upon their faces. Some even looked panicked.

Despite her self, a sense of dread came over her replacing her drowsiness. She had only ever seen the offices like this once before. That had been thirteen years ago.

"What the hell is going on?" She demanded, grabbing a young woman who was rushing by.

The women looked at the Auror, her eyes wide. "There's been an escape from Azkaban," she started.

"Tonks!"

She turned to see Mark striding toward her. The Woman in her grasp pulled away, looking relieved that Tonks was distracted and quickly walked away.

"What is going on Mark? What's this about a break out?"

Mark looked grimly at her. "It happened a few hours ago, as far as anyone knows." He eyed her for a moment and she got the feeling that he was waiting to see what her reaction would be. "It was Sirius Black," he added darkly.

She stared at him almost incredulously. Sirius? Break out of Azkaban? She felt the insane urge to laugh.

"How did he do it?" she asked, voice measured. She wasn't really sure how she should feel about this. She knew, logically, that she should be angry, scared even. Sirius was dangerous. Yet there had always been that little part of her that didn't want to believe he was guilty. Hated the idea of him rotting in the fetid cell. And now he had broken out.

"No one knows. There was no damage to the cell, he was just gone." Mark steered her toward the conference room, grabbing her arm to steady her as people pushed past them.

She stood near the back of the packed room and listened as Scrimgeour directed them all to search for Sirius. They were to go out in teams; search all the places that Sirius had been known to go. Three Aurors were to be placed on private Drive where Harry lived, just in case.

Tonks doubted that Sirius would try to get at Harry so soon, if that was his game. He may have acted the prat many times, but he was far from stupid. He would know where they would look for him and would avoid those places. Besides, he had one up on them. No one, at least no one living, aside from her and Remus knew that he was an animagus.

She wondered as she headed out with Mark if she should mention it; she had a feeling that his ability may have attributed to his escape.

She noticed Mark was still watching her, as he had been since he'd told her whom the escapee was, his face unreadable.

"What? My hair sticking up or something?" she asked as they jammed onto the lift.

"Well yes, but no more than usual. Are you alright?"

She was surprised by the question. "Course. Why wouldn't I be? He's nothing to me."

He seemed satisfied and she let her thoughts drift again. They wouldn't find him tonight, and so tomorrow the inquiries would begin. Now this did have her worried; because she knew who one of the first people to be questioned would be.

She had to get word to Remus and soon.

August 1993

Remus was in the living room, reading the prophet, which had Sirius's face plastered across the front. It was hard to believe that the man pictured was his once best friend. He looked nothing like the handsome young man Remus remembered. But he supposed that he himself would not be recognizable as the young man who had trusted Black.

There came a knock at the door then and he threw down the paper, rising to answer. As he did so, his knee cracked and he winced form the sound. His change had been two days ago and he was still feeling the affects.

Remus reached the door and opened it, surprised at who he saw when he did so.

"Good morning Remus. I hope that I have not called at an inconvenient time." Blue eyes twinkled behind half moon spectacles.

"Not at all. Please come in."

Dumbledore entered and once Remus had closed the door settled into a chair, while Remus sat on the couch.

"I see you have been catching up on the latest news." Dumbledore observed nodding at the abandoned paper.

Remus's expression was neutral. "I've been questioned twice by Kingsley Shacklebolt." A slight smile touched his lips, although it held no warmth. "Dora wasn't pleased, there isn't anything she can do. She's not allowed to be involved with the investigation, conflict of interest and all that. Besides, no one knows about her connection to me aside from her partner."

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, I too have been questioned, although not as rigorously as you, I have no doubt."

Remus looked down at the paper and sighed. "They won't find him. Sirius knows how to stay under the radar, when he wants to. By now he could be half way to Spain and no one would know."

Dumbledore regarded him over his glasses. "And yet, you do not think he is." It wasn't a question.

"I don't know what to think," Remus said tiredly. "I thought I knew Sirius and the man I knew would never had done the things he did. I fear that he may try to go after Harry, and yet a part of me wants to believe he won't. That he'll simply just run. I wish that I could just know that Harry would be safe from him. Dora says the ministry isn't really doing much, aside from Auror patrols."

"That is why I have come here today."

Remus raised a brow, clearly interested. "Would you like some tea Albus?"

Dumbledore smiled. "I would. Thank you Remus."

Reus got the tea and returned not even five minutes later.

Dumbledore took a sip, sighed in satisfaction and continued where he had left off. "You will recall, I'm sure, that we are once again short a defense against the Dark Arts teacher. It seems that Gilderoy's condition is quiet irreversible,"

Remus did indeed remember reading about what had happened to Lockhart. He had never met the man but Andromeda, who had known him at school, said that he was a bit of a poof.

"And that being so, I have come to offer you the position. I think that you are more than qualified for it."

Remus found himself staring at the other man.

"I'm sorry?" he managed, sure he was hearing wrong.

Dumbledore smiled. "I am asking you to take the position of Defense against the dark arts professor. The wolfsbane potion has been perfected since your last experiences with it and Severus assures me that he can brew it to perfection. If you were to accept, the usage of this would be condition of your contract."

"Why?" Remus found himself asking. "I mean, why are you offering me the position?" he clarified. "Potion or no potion I am still a liability. And if any parents were to find out that a werewolf was teaching their children…"

"I will deal with the Parents and any other opponents to my decision. If you decide to accept. As to why, as I said before you are uniquely qualified for the job. And I also wish to have someone on hand that has an attachment to Harry, more so than that of teacher and student. Harry may not remember you, but I know your feelings towards him have not changed through the years, and had the situation been different, you would have taken him in yourself. Also you know Sirius; you are familiar with his methods, how he thinks."

Remus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I thought I knew him. Now…"

Dumbledore watched him calmly as he drank his tea. "Please consider it Remus. Discuss it with Nymphadora."

He stood and made his way to the door. "I shall take my leave now; I have a meeting with Cornelius Fudge to discuss the presence of Dementors at Hogwarts as security." Something akin to disgust passed over his face for a moment then before quickly disappearing. "It would please me greatly Remus if you were to accept the position. I have often wished to offer it you."

Then he was gone, leaving Remus with much to think over.