Chapter 4: Department Of Mysteries

Tonks shuffled into the lift around 8pm. She had decided that rather than go home then come back, she would just stay. It took her much longer to get to the department of mysteries than it typically would, as she had to be sure to not be seen by anyone.

Remus was waiting for her when she arrived.

"Wotcher Remus." She greeted him quietly.

"Hi Tonks" he said, kindly.

They decided to sit behind a row of marble pillars. Tonks put up a few spells to conceal themselves from anyone who might walk by them.

Sitting down, Remus and Tonks sat side by side, against the marble walls. They were silent for a few minutes before Tonks broke the silence.

"Did you have a good day?" Tonks said.

"Mhmm, had to keep Sirius occupied, of course ." He responded.

"It's hard for him staying inside, and not helping isn't it?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah, he's never done well with feeling helpless, not even when he was young." Remus explained.

Tonks nodded. She felt badly for her cousin.

"Well, I'll talk to Mad Eye. Maybe my mom could come visit him, they use to be very close."

"I'm sure he'd love that. Remus said.

Tonks smiled, her mother had been heartbroken when he was sent to Azkaban, now, maybe they would get a second chance to reconnect.

Tonks took a little booklet from her bag that she got at a muggle shop, and started to work on one of the crossword puzzles inside.

After a few more minutes, Tonks realized that Remus was watching her.

"Wanna help?" She asked, handing him a spare quill.

"Sure." He responded. Realizing that he had been staring.

Together they finished the crossword and a word search.

"Remus?" She asked, quietly.

"Mmmm, yeah." He looked at her.

"You weren't upset about being paired with me right?" She asked, quietly.

'Oh' he thought. He didn't want her to think that. He hadn't meant to make it seem like he had an issue with her.

"No. I was fine with it." He assured her. It was the truth, he didn't mind being with her. He was just kinda uncomfortable around her, she was certainly not an acceptable person to be attracted to. For many reasons.

"Oh, okay. You just seemed pretty Indifferent about it, I just wanted to make sure I didn't do something."

"You didn't do anything wrong. I promise." He said.

It was the truth. She really had done nothing.

A little while later, Remus noticed Tonks was yawning. She looked down at her watch. It was almost 3am.

"Would you like some?" Remus asked, holding out some chocolate for her to take.

"Sure thing." She said, taking a piece of the chocolate from him.

"Thanks" she added.

He nodded.

Eventually, their shift together ended. They said their goodbyes, And soon went their separate ways.

~

Later that morning, Tonks found herself relaxing in her flat, thinking about the previous night in the department of mysteries. She was relieved that Remus wasn't mad at her, but she still had a nagging feeling that he avoided interacting with her on purpose...

It wasn't until the next Order meeting a few days later that this feeling was further solidified.

Remus clearly had no issue talking with anyone else At length. She was trying super hard to not take it personally but for some reason she struggled not to take it in a negative way. She wasn't even sure why it bothered her, but it definitely did. And, she certainly wasn't the type to fuss over if people liked her.

Tonks was somewhat able to convince herself that she just wanted his approval as an older member of the order, and as her cousins best friend, while She watched as Remus talked animatedly with Molly and Auther.

She couldn't help but feel a small pang of upset hit her.

~

Tonks sat with Sirius in the front parlor after work one day.

"Sirius?"

"What's up cousin?" He responded.

"Does Remus dislike me or something, I didn't do something that offended him right?" Tonks asked, shyly.

Sirius smiled at her.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because, well, he never seems like he wants to talk to me, and when he does talk to me he says like two words. And, he doesn't do it to anyone else."

"have you asked him about it?" Sirius questioned, as he poured them out drinks.

"Yeah. But he said everything was fine. He still has no interest in interacting with me."

'Classic Lupin' Sirius thought to himself. It was just like Remus to put distance between himself and anything that made him feel uncomfortable. Attraction was never a super easy emotion for Remus to except.

"Listen, Remus is just shy around new people."

Which wasn't a total lie.

He continued. "You'll see. When he gets to know you better he will come around."

Tonks just nodded. While Sirius leaned back, looking at her.

"I do have to say though." He started,

"Kinda sounds like you're upset he doesn't give you more attention." Sirius said, conspiratorially.

Tonks scoffed. Looking down.

"That's not true. I just wanted to make sure I didn't upset him." She replied.

"Sure you did." Sirius said sarcastically.

Tonks just rolled her eyes at him. Hoping she could change the subject.

"Did you enjoy seeing my mom yesterday?" She asked.

"Very much. I missed Andy a lot. I'm glad she's been okay. I'm really Glad that she knows the truth about me. She deserved to know." Sirius replied.

the pair continued chatting for some time.

Eventually, Remus returned and came into the parlor to join them.

"Moony! How'd it go?" Sirius asked him immediately.

"It went okay." Remus said, sounding completely unconvincing.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked

Tonks looked at Sirius confused.

"He went to go check on Harry. Told him if he didn't, I would." He clearified.

"Physically he seems okay, but emotionally I don't think he is. The muggles don't help much either. Barely even let me see the kid."

"Arse holes." Sirius replied.

"I know." Remus replied, resentfully.

"Ashlee is still there right?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah she's there everyday. I saw jogging her when I was there." Remus replied.

This calmed Sirius down. He knew Harry was safe. at least, for now.

The trio continued talking for another hour or so, before Tonks announced she had to go.

"Well, I think I'm going to head home." Tonks said, sleepily.

"Goodnight Tonks" Sirius called as she went to walk into the hall.

Remus gave a small wave, "see you tomorrow!" He said.

"Bye!" Tonks called back as she left the house.

...