Tonks and Remus were in the kitchen, bent over a copy of the Muggle newspaper. They were looking through listings for flats, though neither of them was enthusiastic over the change in residence. Tonks wanted to keep her two-bedroom flat in a trendy part of London. She'd shared it with her ex-girlfriend, but as Remus couldn't afford the rent, she had to let it go. Remus, meanwhile, wanted them to live at Grimmauld Place, which cost nothing. Tonks didn't want to live in the creepy ancestral home, claiming that if they were going to be a married couple, they needed their own space.

Remus didn't understand why their space couldn't be free, but Tonks was adamant that they needed a place where they didn't have to pretend to be married and could just be themselves.

He wondered if it meant a place for her to still be able to see other people, but decided not to ask. She could look any way she wanted, bring someone home, and no one would find out she was in a fraudulent marriage.

"Why are you circling the ones with just one bedroom?"

Tonks rubbed her tired eyes. "It's all we can afford."

"Only if you want to stay in London."

"I like London."

Remus scratched his forehead and looked away. London was too bloody expensive. He'd try another argument.

"If we share a bedroom, you won't be able to have overnight guests."

"Because sofas don't exist?" Tonks replied curtly. "I doubt anyone's going to stay over, so one bedroom's fine."

Remus shrugged. "You'll go to them, I suppose."

Tonks set her quill down and groaned, seeing her hands covered in ink smudges. She blew the burgundy hair out of her eyes, glaring at him.

"Let me get this straight…do you think I don't understand how this marriage is supposed to work?"

"What—"

"—I'm perfectly aware we shouldn't be pursuing other relationships, Lupin. I understood that part of the assignment when I agreed to it, because I believe in making the world a better place, for people like my dad, and you, and anyone who isn't a perfect pureblood. Who cares if I can't have sex for the next twenty years or have to find a new flat? I'm annoyed and yeah, I'm going to take care of myself when I need to, but I agreed to this. You're a good bloke when you're not getting in your own way, so let's figure out a place to live, okay?"

Remus leaned forward as she spoke, captivated by her passion. She'd called him good; he didn't know why it inspired a burst of gratitude for her, but it did.

"I'm sorry, Tonks. I keep fucking this up. I just needed to know…I needed to know you're sure about this." He backed away, realizing how close he was to her. "You're saving my life. I should trust that you know what you're doing."

Tonks's expression softened. Remus let out a relieved sigh, glimpsing at one of the circled entries from the newspaper.

"This one in Walthamstow looks promising."

Tonks crumpled the newspaper with her hands and tossed it into the fire.

"You're right about London. It's too expensive," she said glumly. "We'll be miserable if we've got to share a cupboard for a bedroom."

An idea formed in Remus's mind. "What about Newcastle? It's not as big as London, I know, but I spent some time there when I was your age. You might like it."

Tonks glanced at her watch, and a small smile appeared on her face. "You're not doing anything for the next couple hours, right?"

"Not until the meeting tonight, no," Remus replied, puzzled. "Why?"

"Because we're going to Newcastle to find a place to live."

….

The Order meeting was about to begin and Remus was fixing himself a cup of tea. Sirius stood next to him, his back against the cupboard, staring ahead at those gathered at the table.

"She seems happy," drawled Sirius, swirling a rich, amber liquid in a glass. Remus looked over his shoulder; Tonks was pink-haired, smiling, and chatting animatedly with Emmeline and Hestia. From where they stood Remus could hear her gush about the flat they'd found earlier that afternoon.

"It's huge, compared to what you can get here in London," said Tonks. "Two bedrooms for less than it costs to let a one bedroom here. We're going to have loads of space."

"She's putting a good face on it," Remus muttered. "Newcastle's not London, but it'll do."

"Either that," replied Sirius, side-eyeing Remus, "or she's telling the truth."

Remus shrugged and took his steaming cup of tea to the table to sit next to Tonks. They planned to sit next to each other at all times, to ensure that the others believed they were in a relationship. Only Sirius, Kingsley, Mad-Eye, and Dumbledore would know the truth.

"There he is," Tonks said warmly, flashing a smile at Remus, before turning back to Hestia and Emmeline. "It was his idea, you know. Brilliant, this man."

Tonks's fingers found some of his shaggy fringe and pushed it back. The feeling of her skin, brushing so gently across his temple, combined with a little wink, sent a strange, foreign sensation through him.

"Moony's blushing," Sirius teased, taking the seat across from them. He grinned wickedly and took a swig of his drink, all the while his eyes shone with wild glee.

"I know," said Tonks, with her fingers still on Remus's face. "It's so cute, isn't it?"

"Blech."

Sirius wrinkled his nose at them and turned away. Tonks giggled at Remus's side and removed her hand from his skin. He thought he might self-combust with how hot he'd become, and fought to keep his hand steady as he reached for his tea.

Remus refocused for the meeting. He forced himself to look only at Dumbledore or Mad-Eye as they took turns in planning missions, announced the Weasleys' imminent arrival, and the initial plan to collect Harry from Privet Drive. Sirius fought over keeping him with the Dursleys, but Dumbledore was firm in keeping Harry where he was.

The meeting ended after without reaching a compromise. Remus saw Sirius's hands twitch at his sides; he downed the rest of his Firewhisky in two huge gulps, and when Dumbledore swept out of the kitchen, Sirius stormed upstairs without another word.

"I should probab—"

"—I'll talk to him," Kingsley said, gesturing for Remus to sit down. "Stay here with Tonks. I was assigned to his search this week and could use his input."

Remus sat back in his chair and watched Kingsley go upstairs.

"Hey," Tonks whispered at Remus. He lowered his head and bent his ear toward her. "I'm sorry about earlier. I should've warned you—"

"—it's okay." Remus thought the others were watching them curiously, and so he lowered his voice further. "In future—"

"—Lupin!" Mundungus Fletcher was before them, extending his hand. "How'd ya get a pretty little bird like her?"

"I have a name," Tonks said coldly. "And I'm not a bird."

Everyone's eyes were definitely on them. Remus wanted to sink into the earth and never be seen again.

"Jus' sayin'," Mundungus said, leaning closer. "If ya like the older fellas showing you a good time, send me an owl—"

"That's quite enough, Mundungus." Remus was on his feet, with his wand drawn. "Leave her be."

Mundungus put his hands up, feigning innocence, and wheezed. "Didn't mean anythin' by it, just a joke!"

"It's not a very funny joke." Tonks grabbed Remus's hand and lifted it up in the air, eyeing everyone angrily. "We're together and we're happy. If you've got a problem with us, we've got a problem with you."

Remus felt his cheeks burning. Not knowing where to look, he peeked at their joined hands, but it startled him, seeing her fingers intertwined with his. Tonks squeezed his hand tightly and the earlier, thrumming sensation overcame him.

"What's going on?" Kingsley said, appearing in the kitchen with Sirius at his side, both of them darting their eyes back and forth between Mundungus, Remus, and Tonks.

"Nothing," Tonks replied, seeing that Mundungus backed away. "Don't worry about it, Kings. Mundungus here didn't know I like to be called Tonks."

Kingsley nodded and walked in front of Mundungus with Sirius, the two of them going to the cupboard to pour themselves Firewhisky. With their disruption to the tension, the other Order members looked away and broke apart into smaller groups.

Tonks finally let go of Remus's hand, but not before she gave him a smile, and another little squeeze.

Then his hand felt like it was burning too.

….

Their new flat was located above a quaint, Muggle café. Within a half hour's walk in almost any direction, Remus and Tonks had dozens of restaurants, shops, and parks at their disposal. Tonks did seem pleased with her new home; she hadn't known Newcastle had such a vibrant nightlife, and she looked forward to exploring it in her free time.

Remus found a part-time job at a secondhand bookshop near one of the universities, so he could pay for some of their expenses. He was already relying on Tonks for the roof over his head and his very life; he figured he could buy their groceries and cook, giving Tonks something in exchange for the many favors she was doing for him.

He took the smaller bedroom, which was barely big enough for his single bed, modest wardrobe, and a narrow writing desk with its matching chair that Sirius let him take from Grimmauld Place. His two bookcases, filled with the battered library he'd accumulated in the last several years, sat in the living room.

Other than his personal effects, those were all the belongings he had. The rest of the flat was furnished and decorated by Tonks's bright, cheerful things.

The dining table was round and painted bright red. Its chairs were mismatched, with one yellow, one cobalt blue, and the last, neon green. The sofa she placed along the wall of their living room was emerald green and had an assortment of flowery throw pillows on it. It at least had a matching, wide armchair, though the coffee table between the chair and sofa was painted purple.

Posters of bands Remus had never heard of were pinned to the walls. Pictures of Tonks with her friends and family were haphazardly arranged wherever she saw room for them.

It was a chaotic, colorful mess, and Remus felt out of place there. Nevertheless, he agreed to moving in with her for at least a month; if they could live together and stay friendly enough by the middle of August, she would introduce him to her parents as her boyfriend.

He dreaded the day he'd have to meet Ted and Andromeda Tonks. He'd forgotten that if he was to be married, he'd have in-laws, who he'd be expected to know.

The realization came crashing down on him only a few days before, when he helped Tonks pack up her things.

"I told mum and dad I'm moving."

"That makes sense."

"They asked why."

Remus stopped wrapping a ceramic bowl and turned to look at her.

"What did you tell them?"

"The truth, mostly." She stuffed two blankets in a trunk and tucked a tuft of her aquamarine curls behind her ear. "Steph and I broke up, she moved out, and I couldn't afford rent or find a roommate, so I decided to move."

Remus raised a brow at her. "They didn't ask why you were leaving London?"

"They did, but I told them I thought I needed a fresh start somewhere new," she replied, dropping a basket of unfolded clothes on top of the blankets. "I said a friend told me about Newcastle and all the Muggle schools, loads of young people, all that." She grinned at him and locked the trunk. "I showed them the flat yesterday. I don't think they'll drop in unannounced, but if we can make this work…I'll need to tell them about us."

"What are you going to say?" Remus asked, trepidation washing over him that he'd have to explain to Tonks's parents that their only daughter would be ruining her life in a few months' time.

"Same story as everyone else, I suppose. We'll see how it goes."

Tonks had broken the glass on a few pictures then, ending their conversation. He'd rushed back to Grimmauld Place the moment he could to ask Sirius what he remembered of his cousin Andromeda. Unfortunately for Remus, Sirius hadn't seen her since he was about 13, but remembered her as his favorite, kindest cousin.

Given the other possibilities on the Black family tapestry, Remus thought it wasn't hard to be kinder than Narcissa Malfoy or Bellatrix Lestrange.

Remus heard clunking from the stairs just as he took dinner out of the oven. When he set the lasagna down, he heard another set of footsteps and the unmistakable sound of two voices in conversation. He stiffened; he hadn't expected company.

Tonks stomped into the flat with a pretty, dark haired girl at her side.

"Hello," said Remus, unsure, feeling idiotic with his oven mitts still on.

"Remus, this is my best friend, Sonia," Tonks introduced. "We're going to her wedding in August."

Sonia made a show of extending her left hand, where a sparkly gem sat on her ring finger.

"Sonia, this is Remus…my boyfriend."

Remus plastered a smile on his face; being someone's boyfriend was novel for him and sounded wrong to his ears.

"You already live together?" Sonia asked, rounding on Tonks. "That's fast, even for you. You're not up the—"

"—no!" Tonks replied, shaking her head furiously. "No, none of that. You know I couldn't stay in the old flat…and besides, you know I don't want kids."

"You don't?"

Both Tonks and Sonia turned to look at Remus. Tonks had an exasperated look on her face, while Sonia gaped at him.

"You moved in together but you didn't know that?"

"He can't have kids," Tonks blurted. "I knew that going in but we hadn't really addressed it, because we didn't need to. Right, Remus?"

Remus thought he might never go back to a normal temperature, with how frequently she made him feel as if she'd set him ablaze.

"Y…es," he croaked. "I'm…impot—"

"—impolite, not asking you to dinner yet!" Tonks cut him off, staring at him with wide eyes. "What did you make? Sonia's vegetarian, so if—"

"—not a problem," Remus replied, forcing a smile back to his face. "It's a spinach and mushroom lasagna."

Tonks chuckled nervously and invited Sonia to sit. Remus put three plates together—all Tonks's, and all mismatching—and brought them to the table.

Dinner passed by without any further awkwardness. Tonks chitchatted with Sonia, the two of them catching up on the latest of their friends' relationships, marriages, and children. Remus didn't have much to contribute, but it moved the focus off him and his so-called relationship, allowing him to nod along, clean the plates when they were done eating, and put away the leftovers. He brewed tea for the women while he was at it, feeling mildly irritated that he couldn't escape to his room to avoid their inane gossip.

Instead, he reorganized the kitchen, scrubbed it until it was spotless, and longed for his bed.

"What is it that you do again?"

Remus glanced over at Sonia. Tonks didn't reply for him, so he said, "I work at a Muggle bookshop nearby."

"A Muggle—" She narrowed her eyes, saw the wand sticking out of Remus's pocket, and looked at him sideways. "—but you're a wizard. What are you doing there?"

"I'm a—"

"—I'll tell her, Remus." Tonks cleared her throat and patted Sonia's hand. "Listen…don't let what I'm about to tell you make you think any less of Remus. He's a good man and I care about him a lot, okay?"

Sonia peeked back at Remus, alarmed. "What's going on?"

"Remus is a werewolf," said Tonks. "That's why he works at a Muggle shop. Wizarding places won't hire him."

Sonia's jaw dropped as she gaped at Remus, who brought the smile back to his face to appear non-threatening.

"He's a good man. I didn't tell you before because I didn't want you to treat him any differently, okay?"

Sonia bent forward to whisper in Tonks's ear.

"Have you lost your mind?" she hissed. "He's dangerous…you could get killed."

"I know what I'm doing," Tonks replied, sounding unusually weary and gloomy. "Remus would never hurt me. Please, Sonia, you're my best friend. Try to understand and be happy for me."

Tonks turned her head to face Remus and mouthed, "Give me a minute." He nodded and slipped out of the kitchen as a barrage of emotions coursed through him.

Shame washed over him first, at being outed as a werewolf and then rejected by one of Tonks's closest friends. If he couldn't win her approval, how could he expect to manage a civil relationship with anyone Tonks knew and loved? Guilt came next; he knew he was driving a wedge between the two friends by his mere presence. Tonks would lose all her friends and family—perhaps then she would realize this 'mission' was doomed from the start.

A glimmer of relief appeared in his heart, once he'd reached his room and sat on his bed. If Tonks saw what was at stake, she'd let him go and prevent him from ruining her life. The idealism of defeating Voldemort would be lost in the reality of losing close friendships—it was only a matter of time for Tonks to realize this.

He was halfway to thinking he ought to start packing his things to go back to Grimmauld Place when he heard a soft rapping on his door.

"Remus? It's just me. Sonia's gone home."

"The door's unlocked."

Tonks walked in and sat in the wooden desk chair across from him.

"She'll get used to the idea. I asked her to come over on Friday so we can plan her Hen Night, if that's all right."

"I'll stay out of your way."

"Maybe when we're actually discussing what we'll do," Tonks said, giving him a tentative smile. "We can order takeout, the three of us can eat, and that'll give her more time to get to know you."

"I can cook for you," Remus offered. "I'll eat beforehand—"

"—did you not listen to what I said? We'll all eat together, and then I'll need an hour or two to plan her Hen Night. She'll go home to Jinu and you and I will stay here. She's coming back and promised to keep an open mind. You just be yourself."

Remus rubbed his hands together and nodded, looking down at the floor.

"Okay."

"Good," said Tonks. "Now can we talk about that bit where you tried to say you were impotent? Is that true, or…?"

Remus's neck flushed and he stuttered, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry I said you can't have kids, but I figured that's what you meant when you said werewolves don't usually breed?"

"Yes," he mumbled. "I can father a child…I shouldn't do so."

"Sonia asked about that so I said werewolves don't have kids, not that you couldn't get it up."

Remus choked on his next breath, horrified that Tonks would discuss anything related to his sexual activities with her friend.

"I couldn't say we weren't shagging," Tonks prattled on. "Everyone's going to assume we're having sex. I didn't tell her the truth—she's my best friend and wouldn't have believed me otherwise. As far as anyone knows, you're great in the sack and since you can't have kids and I don't want to, it's perfect. What do you think? Sounds believable, yeah?"

"That's…fine," he managed. "Fine."

"Brilliant. I'll talk you up, make sure all my friends know you're an animal in the bedroom," she said, getting up from the chair. "I'll be the envy of all my friends and you'll look good. I'll even tell them you're hung like a horse. Best sex of my life, definitely."

Tonks continued plotting as she went into her bedroom. Remus, bewildered by what he'd just heard, hoped she was joking, and that she had the good sense not to share intimate details, however fake or impressive they were, with anyone else again.