A/N: TPOV

Tonks had spent the New Years Eve morning and the day prior visiting her parents. As one of the younger aurors, she hadn't built up a lot of leave, nor did she have enough rank to not typically get stuck with duty over the holidays. Because of that it became rather impractical for her to try to see her family on Yule, Christmas, and New Years, and thus it was a tradition in her family to combine them all into one visit.

Approaching the Burrow, she hugged her new black and pink hoodie closer to herself. Her dad had given it to her and had gone to the extra trouble of magically applying the Weird Sisters' logo to the back of it. She had been happy to have the excuse of attending the Order's New Year's party. She didn't have the heart to try to explain to her mother that just because she had bought her Helga's Household Charms, did not indicate an increased interest in domestic charm work. The last time Tonks had tried to indulge her mother's efforts in teaching her charms, she had almost burned the house down.Now mum takes the Christmas ornaments off the tree herself.

"A moment, Dora?" A voice came from her left. Tonks looked up quickly, surprised. Between thinking of her parents and trying to concentrate on the icy walk she hadn't noticed Remus standing just to the left of the front door.

"Remus!" Tonks slipped slightly on the ice in her rush to look up at him, he quickly reached out steadying her. She looked down, smiling slightly at his hand on her arm, before frowning at the new cuts and scratches crisscrossing his arm. "You're hurt!" Her hand reached out to gently trace the new marks. She looked him over closely, noting that his weight was more on one leg than the other, that his right arm was bracing his side, and that there was a bruise rising up from the collar of his shirt just starting to fade. Her eyes, full of concern, finally rested on his.

Remus shrugged, trying to keep the wince of his face at the movement, "You know. The pack. Have to prove you're the strongest." An cold silence hung between the two, created by a mix of Remus not wanting to delve into his time in the pack and Tonks not knowing how to ask. "How was your Christmas, Dora?" Remus interjected, more than thrilled to change the subject.

Tonks froze slightly, not sure if she appreciated the change of subject, concerning who…what…she did for Christmas. "Oh you know, it was laid back, didn't do much. I got to go home yesterday and this morning to see my family."

Remus smiled warmly if not a bit guiltily, "I um. I missed you. Molly told me on Christmas that you'd be spending it alone. I should have invited you to spend it with me." His hand on her arm squeezed it a bit in an apologetic manner.

Tonks' eyes widened, surprised, "oh...it's completely alright, with everything going on, the holidays just kind of snuck up on me." Tonks shuffled her feet, caught between the joy of him saying he had missed her and the guilt in realizing that thanks to her not being alone, she hadn't really had a chance to miss him.

Remus cleared his throat slightly, drawing her attention back up to his face, "I um... spoke with Harry. He mentioned something to me, since I was the one who taught him the Patronus Charm. Your own patronus changed, he claims. Well, more like Sniv…Snape made some sort of scathing remark about it, but that it resembled um...me. When I'm transformed." His eyes shown with a hope and warmth that tripled the already forming guilt Tonks felt inside.

Tonks looked as if she had been caught. Trapped is more like it. Damn you Harry. She cursed mentally, even as a warm blush colored her cheeks. "Wow...it's um...warm, out here...I…ah…should say hi to everyone and am going to go grab a drink, would you like anything?" Tonks said quickly as she opened the door to go inside, realizing that not only was she stalling, she was retreating.

Remus tightened his grip slightly on her arm, wincing at the combination of pain he felt in his arm and at seeing her turn away so quickly. "I understand, Dora. I'm actually quite flattered, in a way. Here I thought you'd not be able to deal with me... being me." He paused, letting go of her arm, realizing he should give her a bit of space. He hadn't meant for his admission to turn into an interrogation "but um... I wouldn't mind a beverage if you're going inside. Ginger ale?"

Tonks smiled and nodded even as she continued her way inside. You thought I wouldn't be able to deal with you being a werewolf? Haven't I been trying to say I could deal all along?...Also, 'it's warm out here'!? Smooth. You are standing in ice and snow and try to make an escape by saying it was warm. Bloody hell.She rounded the corner, turning into the kitchen, pausing slightly at the sight of Severus. He was talking to Molly, whose face was bright red with furry, and handing her a potion. As Tonks poured Remus and herself drinks she became aware of how crowded the Weasley kitchen was. It wasn't large to begin with, but with Molly, Minerva, Hagrid, Severus and Remus…especially Severus and Remus…Tonks thought tiredly, it was damn near claustrophobic.