Not Going Anywhere

by hmweasley

Tonks has been proving herself since she first revealed that she'd be an Auror only to be faced by sceptical classmates. Years later, a full-fledged Auror, she's supposed to be past that, but joining the Order of the Phoenix is another reminder of just how inexperienced she still is. Luckily, she's not ready to give up yet.

27. Chapter 27

"It's such a shame that Remus didn't come."

Tonks shovelled corn into her mouth as an excuse not to say anything. Molly had already repeated the same sentiment ten times in the past ten minutes. She'd grown used to discussing Remus with Fleur and Molly, but it felt entirely different when Bill and Arthur were also at the table. At least Arthur was eating as if he wasn't paying attention to the conversation. Bill was watching his mother with a smirk that made Tonks want to die of embarrassment.

When she'd been invited over for dinner instead of one of her usual unannounced visits, she hadn't realized that Molly would invite Remus too. Fleur had given her a sympathetic smile when she arrived and Molly revealed her foiled plan.

"Maybe he really was busy, Mum," Bill said, but Molly waved off the idea.

"You know very well that he wasn't. Don't get me wrong. I know he's doing plenty for the Order that's keeping him busy, but I told him the dinner was flexible. We could change the date if he needed, and he still refused to come. He kept insisting that nothing would work with his schedule." She sighed and leaned against the table. "I'll keep trying, dear." She leaned forward and patted Tonks' hand.

She did the only thing she knew to do and smiled half-heartedly back.

"He can't keep saying no," Fleur said, her back rimrod straight as if daring Molly to interrupt her. "Eventually, he won't have any excuses."

"Really," Tonks stressed. "It's okay. Remus probably has more going on than any of us could imagine right now. There's no reason to bother him."

Fleur turned to her. "It's not—"

"We need each other more than ever," Molly said, ignoring Fleur as she deflated in her seat. "He should be having dinner with his friends instead of isolating himself. That's not doing him any good."

Bill was growing annoyed at Molly's constant interruptions of Fleur too. He tightened his jaw, and Tonks was thankful for the distraction, even if she did feel bad that it came at Fleur's expense. He opened his mouth to speak, but Fleur laid a hand on his arm and smiled. He closed his mouth, even as he rolled his eyes at his mother's antics.

Tonks took another bite of food, hoping she could get through most of her dinner before Remus was brought up again.