A/N: TPOV

It had been a day since the surprise "girl's day out". Although often awkward and rife with tension, Tonks couldn't get over how nice it was to see her mother and her aunt on somewhat civil terms. Narcissa, didn't seem as cold or vain as she had at all the Ministry functions. Tonks just hoped these surprise family reunions ended with her. I draw the line at Bellatrix showing up and wanting to get mannie and peddie…actually scratch that, I draw the line at her showing up at all.

A gentle tapping at the door made her jump. Dear Merlin, I was joking. Tonks thought as she headed hesitantly toward the door. They really need small windows on these things. She opened the door hesitantly. At first she didn't see anyone, then, a soft clearing of a throat had her looking down. There stood one of the inn's elves with a bouquet of pink and purple flowers so large that it looked less like an elf holding a bouquet and more of a bouquet with legs. Tied around the base in white ribbon was a letter.

Tonks accepted the flowers and thanked the elf kindly. Laying the flowers on her desk, she slid out the letter.

Dora,

I am sorry for barging in on you the other day and for leaving like I did. Understand it was because I only want what's best for you. Allow me a chance to apologize for my manners and make it up to you during lunch. Please accept these flowers and join me today at noon, downstairs in the main dining area.

Respectfully Yours,

Remus

Respectfully mine. Tonks glanced from the letter to the flowers standing in sharp contrast next to the dark blooms of her plant. Sighing she transfigured her tea cup into a vase to hold the flowers, casting a quick aguamenti on both the vase and her plant to water them both. Seeing the bouquet next to her plant she knew exactly what Remus was trying to do. However, she couldn't help but appreciate the bright splash of color in the otherwise dull hotel room, her bright laundry strewn about the floor notwithstanding.

She knew she was going to say yes to the invitation. She couldn't see herself sitting up in her room, knowing that Remus was sitting downstairs, alone, waiting for her. Although, as she remembered him turning down her advances, tricking her with the potion, barging through her door, and demanding answers, a not so small part of her begged her to try.

Tonks had planned to come down fashionably late, a compromise between accepting Remus' invitation and not arriving at all. She had wanted to send the message that she could do what she wanted and sure as hell wasn't on the beck and call of Remus Lupin. So why in Hades am I down here at eleven thirty!? Tonks wondered at herself as she ordered a glass of butterbeer from the bar. Ten minutes later Remus walked in, his eyes widening in surprise as he noticed Tonks at the bar.

Remus glanced at the clock mounted on the wall, wondering if somehow he had arrived late. He hated to admit it, but he wasn't entirely sure she was going to show. He had even considered going up to her door and asking her again, under the reasoning that maybe she hadn't received his invitation or gift. He walked up to her smiling warmly. "Good afternoon, Dora. I hope you haven't been waiting long." As he took her in his arms he noted the tension there that he didn't remember from before. Before Snape. His eyes darkened slightly at the thought and she squeezed her a little tighter before letting go and guiding them over to a nearby table.

"I just wanted a chance to say that I am sorry for the way I acted. Apart from my blunder, how did the rest of your day go?" Remus asked smoothly, curious as to how the time out with Andromeda and Narcissa had gone. He hoped they had managed to convince her to stay away from Snape, since nothing he said seemed to.

"The day turned out nice, considering. We went for tea at Madam Puddifoots. I have never seen my mother and aunt around each other before. My family as always been a bit tense" Tonks said with a wry smile.

"Yes, they seemed a bit tense," Remus said without thinking.

"When did you see them?" Tonks asked confused.

"Oh…I..When I left your place, I didn't go far. I ended up seeing your mother with your aunt. I tried to say hi, but it became clear it probably wasn't the best time." Remus sidestepped with a few white lies. He knew mentioning Snape wasn't a wise choice. Remus was still worried that being a werewolf and his mission to try to sway Greyback's pack was a potential danger to her. No more dangerous than a Death Eater and double agent. How she had managed to find the one person more complicated than himself, he wasn't quite sure, but he was determined to keep her safe. Mine. The more animalistic side of him chanted in response.

"I don't think they have talked more than once, especially face to face, since I was born" Tonks tried to explain. "So what have you been up to?"

"Unfortunately, I have been ordered to go back to the pack. Rumor among the pack is that Greyback will be summoned to a dark revel tonight on the solstice. With him away I will have a greater chance of being able to influence the pack. Because the full moon is on the 24th it actually works out because I am able to only go away once this month, rather than twice." Remus sighed roughly, "hell of a way to spend Christmas." At least with a dark revel I shouldn't have to worry about her being with Snape while I am gone.

Tonks was listening closely, a tight ball of worry forming in the pit of her stomach. She hated when Remus would have to go on these missions. He had never made peace with the werewolf side of himself, but any time he spent time with the pack the guilt would hit him harder than normal. She worried that this interest Remus was currently expressing would disappear the moment he returned.

Tonks realized it also meant he wouldn't be available for the holidays and frowned slightly as she remembered that Severus had said he was busy as well. "I fear that I will be indisposed at the Solstice and unable to entertain guests over Christmas." Severus' words ran through her mind. Solstice. The dark revel. Tonks realized with a sudden horror the reason Severus wouldn't be available. She also remembered the state he had returned in last time the Dark Lord had summoned him. It was luck that allowed me to save him last time. What if he isn't as lucky this time? Tonks wondered in a slight panic, her fingers brushing over her bracelet under the table.

Seeing the shock and worry on her face, Remus reached across the table pulling one of her arms above the table and holding her hand in his. "Please don't worry. I will be alright. It won't be as bad as usual with Greyback gone prior to the change. I leave this evening and will be back before New Years. I just didn't want to leave over the holidays without apologizing."

Tonks nodded mechanically, her mind filled with the image of Severus covered in blood. The rest of the dinner went by in a haze. The conversation was pleasant enough, but Tonks kept focusing on the fact that tomorrow Remus would go back to the pack and Severus would be forced to attend the dark revel. At the end of the night Tonks wished Remus well and gave him a hug, telling him to let her know the moment he got back, wishing she had known to tell Severus the same.

Tonks returned to her room, her focus fully on the bracelet on her wrist. Tonks knew it was most likely that Severus would be summoned once it was dark and watched the sun set with dread. That evening when the bracelet on her wrist went strangely cool she knew he had been summoned, the bracelets ability to track him and apparate to him blocked by the Dark Lord's wards. It was the same magic that kept the aurors and Ministry from tracking and finding him.

Tonks considered going to his quarters and waiting for him there, but then she remembered that he hadn't been able to make it that far last time. Please let it not be like last time. Please let him be alright. She hated waiting under good circumstances, but as she paced around her room her mind taunted her by inscribing Severus' face on every Death Eater victim she hadn't been able to save, everyone she had studied while in auror training.

Tonks sat down at her desk and closed her eyes trying to block it all out. As her mind filled with howls, screams, and images of blood Tonks startled awake, disoriented. She realized with a rush that she had dozed off and her bracelet had returned to its normal temperature. Glancing out the window the sun was just rising. She grabbed her wand and held it to the bracelet, disapparating to Severus. It brought her to the gates of Hogwarts and she rushed through to Severus' quarters, "Severus! Where are you? Are you okay?"