The Best Of Me

"Chapter 2: A Girl Name Nymphadora Tonks"

It had been a week since he had been in Hogwarts, and everything seems to be great—despite the stares he gets, but still, the school life was great and he means it. He had managed to befriend his roommates from Gryffindor at least. Although, in terms of befriend in his dictionary, he ment acquaintances. Most of them were quite scared of him at first, except for this red headed boy whose name is Bill Weasely. The kid was friendly and intelligent, but making friends is not in his agenda, friends means accepting each other and him being a werewolf, erases him from that.

Speaking of friends...he hardly saw Tonks, he only saw her during breakfast, dinner and lunch in the Great Hall. The girl still kept covering her hair, and he wouldn't pry much. Her secret is hers to hide, the same can be said for him.

"..."

Remus Lupin just finished potions and he was making his way to the stairs when a group of unsuspecting Slytherins pulled him away from his fellow house. He wasn't surprise, he already had heard them and he knew that these kids would corner him eventually.

He sighed, looking up to the Slytherins that consist of two first years and three second years.

Raising an eyebrow, he recognize those first year who stood behind the bigger kids. There name is Ferrer and Ceasar, bunch of first years in his class that likes to mess with him. Although, it looks like these two boys decided to have back up.

He wonders why?

One of the second year boy snorted, his black coal eyes staring down at him, as if he's just a weak prey. Remus knew that his wolf side would hate that thought, he laughed in his head first, before turning back to the blonde who kept staring at him.

"I heard what you did to my lil bro—" Blonde sneers, nose scrunching up in disapproval. "Making his own potion exploded at him."

...Now, he remembers, glancing over the blonde's shoulder to see Ceasar still dripping wet. He wonders what are the effects of the magical liquid on the boy; judging by his expression it wasn't good, but it was good to him.

Although, it wasn't entirely his fault, the stupid git played his part to. His simple mistake made the potion explode, not him. However, this big brother of him will not give a damn to listen to him either, so choosing not to speak is a great choice.

He kept listening to the older boy, "—people who mess with my brother are dead in my book." The blonde jabbed a finger at Remus' shoulder and he didn't wince at all, his calm expression, as he plainly stared at the second year.

"That's why you have to pay." The older male stated, raising his fist and was about to punch the young werewolf's face when a familiar voice stopped him.

"What's going on here?" All males whipped their head to the source of the voice, to find the old transfiguration teacher firmly staring at them. Professor Mcgonagall walk towards them, her stare unwavering, as her eyes held disapproval at the scene before her.

The old professor's gaze went to him and to the blonde and his goons across him. All Slytherins flinched, stepping back, as they begun apologizing.

He found it funny, all of them simultaneously shouting, "We're sorry!"

Remus snorted and the old woman wave them off, "Ten points remove from Slytherin." She stated and all of them left after that.

Her eyes went back to him, "You should go to your class now, mr. Lupin." The professor told him and he was about to respond when he took a whiff at her scent. He grew suspicious, she still smells the same (books, cats and maybe tea), but there was a hidden scent that was foreign and familiar at the same time.

The boy had mostly memorize some of the smell of his teacher and fellow classmates, that's why he felt wary at his proffesor who was standing in front of him. Therefore, he just nodded at her, walking away; although, when he turned to a corner, he hid and craned his neck out, so his head could take a peek. He clearly doesn't see the old woman.

Maybe she had already walk away?

Sighing, he proceed his way to his next class.

"..."

He was laying down on a branch with a book in his hands, the young boy felt relax at the peace and quiet around him. He exhaled, pure bliss clearly written in his face, as he released all the tension in his shoulders. However, looks like his peace was shortened when he heard a soft cry.

It's not his problem, he mused to himself, but...

"Might as well check it out." He sighed, holding his book in one hand, as he jump down the tree and begun walking towards to the source of the soft sobs.

The cries led him to a bundle of acacia trees that was a good meter away from Hagrid's house, but far away from the Forbidden Forest. Nearing one of the trees, he saw a shadow of a girl and slowly he quietly crept towards the tree she was leaning on. Now, perfectly hiding behind her, he smelled a familiar scent.

Don't tell me it's her...

With his head out, he looks down to see a familiar girl curled up in a sitting position with her head placed on her knees and hiding inside her wrapped arms (the hood did a great job to hid her face). The sight of her made him feel uncomfortable, he wasn't sure how to handle the situation.

However, he doesn't want to see her sad too.

So, slowly he softly asked, "Something bothering you, Nymphadora?"

The girl trembled a little, but she looked up, giving him a stern glare, but it was ineffective because of the state she is in. It proves his question, that there is something wrong because Nymphadora Tonks hates it when people use her first name.

Her shoulders tensed up, she buried her head much more deeper to her arms while answering him.

"I-I'm fine, Re-mus." She said, her voice getting more quiet and muffled by her arms. "Ju-ju-st le-eave me-e be."

Remus could only sigh, he wasn't good at comforting, but—"Hey..." He gently smiled, kneeling down besides her, as he used his right hand to gently clasped her chin and lift up her head, for her to meet his gaze.

"Tell me what's wrong." He wisphered while brusing away her tears, "I may not be good at this kind of job, not even a professional—"

His smile turned a little bit playful and the young pretty girl in her hands burst into soft giggles. She smiled a little bit, meaning he might be doing a good job. Laughing a little bit, "But, if there's anything wrong, you can count on me to turn that frown around.

That little bit smile before on her face, widened and the sparkles in her eyes came back. He was about to remove his hands from her face when Tonks placed both her hands to his. He almost

flinched in reflex at the sudden contact, but slowly he relax, she wasn't a threat, he reminded himself with a mental sigh.

Then a familiar voice popped in his head, "Rem, you have to learn that all humans are not bad."

He watched the girl in front of him, gently pulling back their still link hands away from her face. Their hands met midway at their distance from each other and he didn't expect her to gave his hand a soft squeeze.

"Thank you, Remus." Tonks told him, as she released her hold at his hand. "I think, I'm better now."

With a laugh, she stood up and dusted her robes. "I have to go now, and thankyou again for being here with me." She sincerely told him and walk away, but not before giving him a sweet smile.

That went well...

Does he get an O for being a good consoler or he still has to learn, 'Wait...' Why would he want to learn, shaking his head, he knew this will be only a one time act and Tonks wouldn't seek comfort to him again.

Yup, there's nothing more to it.

Well this is weird, for the past three day, Remus kept watch on the young girl. In every of their classes that they both had, he still kept an eye on her. He didn't know why, but instincts told him to observe her. That's why when he saw a group of familiar Slytherins cornering her, he now knows the answer

They were in a secluded part of the training grounds, pushing her and insulting her.

"Blood Traitor!"

"Freak!"

"Ugly!"

"Family full of murderers!"

Scornful words hits her face and Remus was about to interfere with Ceasar and his goons when he saw her face. She held herself up, stubbornness etched on her expression, as she stood firm on the ground. Is this girl really a Hufflepuff?

Sighing, he remembered how this girl refused his help.

This girl must be an independent type, a type of person who refuse help and do it on her own. Her message was clear, 'This is my problem, I'll have to face it alone.'

He wouldn't judge her, that's how he does it too, but this is painful to watch. How many times did he told himself to not get involve with other people, he doesn't understand why, so what's the reason of this weird feeling that's buried in him. It's making him tingle with uncertainy and sadness. He's getting tired of it.

Remus glanced back to the boys who begun walking away. He sneers, seeing Tonks dusting herself and there were no worse injuries except bruises. He clenched his fist, as tears fell from her eyes that always sparkle with joy

However, there was a burning fire in her eyes that, he couldn't help, but smile.

"You're a brave girl, Nymphadora." He whispers, as he watches her.

"..."

"Weasely, would you kindly do me a favor please."

The redhead seated in front of him, chewed his sandwich slowly, as his eyes enlarge comically. After swallowing, the boy seems to have regained his focus. "Uh sure, mate, what do you need?" He questioned and Remus couldn't help but grin when he opened his mouth.

"Can you help me steal some ingredients during our potion class."

The redhead narrowed his eyes at the boy, "You're up to something, aren't you?" he smirked then leaned back. "Don't worry, I won't snitch."

"..."

'This is gonna be good.' He smiled, getting a little bit excited, as he readies his project. Putting some last adjustments, he finished the project with a secret something.

Now, Bill said that those gits would come in the training ground again after lunch and he's ninety percent sure that this will work, he had already done the math in his head.

Targets lock, all preys are in position. All of them are being snobs and Tonks still as ever is stubbornly strong. His eyes; then, turned back to his owl dummy (that was in a flying pose) that he was holding. Muttering a quick 'Wingardium Leviosa', the fake owl levitated and with a flick of his wand, he send the little thing to Ceasar and his goons. The owl swooped down on them and collided with their heads. He made the thing hit their head once again before quickly bringing it back to his direction.

He watches with an amuse smile, as the Slytherin students chased the dummy. With that, it was his cue to run, but not with the owl following him. He might hate his wolf side, but thanks to that, he can run much faster than the average eleven years old.

Remus led them to different halls, while avoiding not to be seen by them or any other students and teachers.

Finally, he reached his destination, the entrance to the courtyard. Opening the door, he looked above to see the hidden floating potions. 'Great.' He smiles; then, his ears picked up the sound of running. Laughing, he hidden himself behind the plants, as he waited.

Oh! There they come and when all of them are under the potions, he released the spell with the wave of his wand. Bloody, the scene in front of him was hilarious. There was a crash and all of them are now soaking wet, good thing he enchanted the glass flask and beakers to be like rubber.

All of them begun screaming, as their hair begun to stand and change to different colors. Yellow for Ferrer, magneta for Gust, green for Alexander and gray for Ceasar. He laughed quietly and he noticed that his stunt had gathered a crowd, and in it was Tonks looking amused.

"Oh, my bookish brother has finally embraced his prankster blood!" The voice of his brother laughed at his head and in return Remus rolled his eyes.

Feeling exhausted, he decided to take a nap.

"..."

That was weird, why does it feel cozy in here. Last time he checked the forest was freezing, but thanks to his bloody wolf side, his blood had warmed him up; however, he felt much more warmer than before, it felt like his mother's hug.

Opening his eyes, he let out a large yawn and when he stretched his arm, he felt a soft object brushing his hand. Fully awake, he looked down to see a blanket.

'How did this get here?' Turning his head, he looks around to see anybody else, but there was none. 'I wonder.'

He took a whip at the blanket and his whole body relaxed, there was it, the familiar smell of Jasmine and herbs. Oh? She was here, did she knows? Clutching the blanket tighter, the image of the kind girl appeared in his head.

"What a mystery you are, Tonks."