Another Order Meeting

Tonks stared at her painted toes, poking out of her bath water. She had a horrible day at work and was trying to relax before the order meeting in an hour. Tonks had decided to take advantage of the Black's huge craw-foot tub on the third floor.

Tonks sighed, as the multi colored water swirled around her. She rubbed her hands Over her soapy body, it felt nice.

She hadn't been back to Grimmauld place in a few days as she had been so busy, she had thought about Remus a lot, and wanted to see him again. she blushed thinking that it would be nice if he joined her in the bath. She bit her lip a little bit...maybe one day she thought.

Meanwhile, one floor door Remus sat at his desk writing.

'I have often found myself trying to convince myself that we could be more than just friends. But, I suspect that Tonks will still never like me back, and even if she did, could we even be together? I often suspect the answer to that dream is no. I'm sure she will fall for some young handsome bloke from the ministry, the thought of it is torture.'

Remus finished, putting his quill down.

Eventually, making his way down to the kitchen to join Sirius.

"Hi Sirius." Remus said. walking into the kitchen.

"Moony! Finally, I was wondering when you were going to come back down!" Sirius exclaimed.

"Your favorite person is upstairs." Sirius continued.

Remus gave his friend a small smile.

"I know padfoot." Remus explained.

"It's kinda hard to not notice her." He added.

"Moony, man up. Ask her on a date." Sirius said.

"Why would I do that, she doesn't like me like that." Remus tried to reason with his friend, but was pretty sure he had snapped at him.

"Yes, she does." Sirius continued.

"That makes no sense though. She could have any young guy she wanted. One that's not poor, or not old, or a werewolf." He said the last part with unequalled resentment.

"Oh Moony." Sirius said. "Look, attraction is weird, you act like it always makes sense, or something."

"Perhaps your right. But, that doesn't mean we can be together."

"So you would reject her if she came on to you." Sirius asked, annoyed.

"That wouldn't happen!" Remus scoffed, snapping at his friend again.

"Okay Moony. Miss out on the super hot sex with a fit 23 year old." Sirius scolded him.

Remus scoffed again. Certainly Tonks didn't want that...did she?

Remus could hear Tonks moving around on the first floor and figured that she would probably come down into the kitchen soon.

"Can we drop this, for now at least?" Remus pleased.

"I'll stop, for now." Sirius conceded.

soon, Arthur and Molly had shown up at headquarters for the meeting, along with Kingsley and Emmaline.

Remus was in the hallway next to the kitchen pouring himself some bourbon, when Tonks came down the stairs.

"Wotcher Remus." She said, smiling at him.

She came over to stand next to him, leaning against the bar stand.

"Hi."

"Hi. Want a drink?" He asked.

"Mmm, sure." She said.

Remus couldn't help but notice how good she smelled. Like cherries and sweet soap.

He busied himself making her drink to try and distract himself from her intoxicating scent.

"Thanks." She said, taking her drink from him.

Tonks bit her lip a little bit. He really had a 'sexy professor' vibe going on.

"Have a good week?" Remus asked.

"It was alright, pretty busy though. tonks explained.

"I know, we barely saw you at all this week!" Remus told.

"At least tomorrow is Friday, definitely ready for the weekend." She explained, winking at him as she went in the kitchen to join the meeting. Remus was taken aback, perhaps Sirius had been right? Remus tried to shake off the idea, trying to tell himself that she had winked at him in a friendly way.

Remus sighed, and went to go join the meeting.

The group discussed the most recent decrees that were being set at Hogwarts. As well as issues with umbridge and Dumbledore. as usual the headmaster was absent from the meeting, leaving Kingsley and Mad Eye in charge for the night.

Soon, everyone had started to clear out of the kitchen. Remus could see Sirius chatting with Emmeline over in the corner, they certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves. Remus decided it would be a good time to run to the bathroom quickly. But, just a few minutes later when he returned, he found the kitchen completely empty besides for Tonks, who was looking at the paper at the long table.

She looked up and smiled at him.

"Hiya." She greeted him.

Remus smiled at her, looking around, trying to figure out where Sirius had run off to.

"Sirius and Emmeline went upstairs." She said raising her brows.

'Of course they did.' Remus thought.

Remus just shook his head a little bit.

"Classic padfoot." He said. His friend certainly wasn't one to hold back.

"But, I'm still here." Tonks said hopefully.

Remus went to sit next to her.

"Did you hear that Umbridge accosted Snape the other day? Made him look like a complete fool in front of all his students...Harry told Sirius."

Remus chuckled. "Sounds like everyone has gotten onto her bad side. Severus probably deserved it though." He said.

Tonks giggled. even his insults could be classy.

"He could be quite the tosser when I worked with him." Remus continued.

Tonks scoffed. "He was probably just jealous that you were a better teacher than him."

Remus smiled at her complements.

"How do you know I was a better teacher than him." Remus asked her, chuckling.

"I had snape as a teacher...he's boring." Tonks laughed.

"And, I'm not boring?" Remus asked her, amused.

"I don't know. Why don't you teach me something, then I'll tell you. She teased.

Remus was surprised. It was pretty clear it had been meant suggestively. He just gave her a little half smile. "What do you want to learn?" He replied. he knew he probably shouldn't be playing this game with her but she was extremely hard to resist.

Tonks could think of several things she'd like him to 'teach' her...none of which could happen in the kitchen. She couldn't exactly say "teach me what it's like to shag a werewolf."

She figured a more practical question would be better.

She smiled at him. "Mmm, teach me about how you made the mauraders map."

"Well, I had a lot of help." Remus smiled.

Tonks chuckled.

"But how does the map know whose where? I've wondered that since Harry showed me."

"We used the Homunculus Charm. It helps track people within a certain boundary."

"That's fascinating! How long did you guys work on it?"

"Well, we worked on most of it our first year, but over time the map became better, more detailed." Remus explained.

Tonks enjoyed listening to Remus.

The pair continued chatting for a while longer, but eventually Tonks had to go back home to her flat.

"I'm going to get going, but I'll see you on Saturday!" She said, tossing him a little wave before retreating out of the kitchen.

Remus enjoyed her company so much. But, he feared that it was foolhardy to allow himself to feel this way.