(AN: This chapter contains content from HBP, but is not all verbatim.)

Snow swirled around the Burrow, whipping by the windows. It was freezing out, but that was nothing compared to Tonks' cool mood. Tonks had once again found herself in Molly's kitchen looking for advice at the kitchen table.

"Oh, Molly." Tonks groaned, putting her face in her hands. It was 5pm and Tonks had been brooding the whole day.

It had been a whole month since Tonks had vowed to move on from Remus. And, to say the least, it hadn't been going very well at all.

"Oh, it couldn't have gone that bad?" Molly asked, concerned. "I thought your first date with John went well?" Molly asked.

Molly and Arthur had set Tonks up with a guy from Arthurs department, the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects. She had gone on one date with him a few weeks back that had seemed to go okay, and they saw each other again that morning for breakfast.

"I don't know, I thought it had, but I don't think so now." Tonks admitted.

"Explain to me what happened? talk me through it?" Molly told her, handing her a big cup of tea.

"Well, at first everything was fine. We were at the leaky cauldron this morning and we were talking and it was fine I guess. but - but then it all just went wrong." Tonks groaned.

Molly just looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I don't remember how the topic came up exactly. But, he asked if I was a metamorphmagus."

"Mhhm." Molly murmured, concerned.

"He - he asked if I could change my body. I told him I couldn't , and ah, he seemed disappointed over that." Tonks told her plainly.

Molly stared at her. "No he didn't." It wasn't a question.

"OH, he did." Tonks said dryly.

"I mean, m-maybe he was just curious?" Molly suggested, hoping it wasn't as bad as it seemed.

"Like I said, he was disappointed." Tonks told her, coldly.

"I mean, he hadn't ever even seen my body, and he wants me to change it already?" Tonks laughed out loud, a wild and angry laugh.

But, soon. the laugh turned to tears. Tonks cried into her hands.

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry it went so badly." Molly tried to console her.

"I told him at the end of the date that we probably shouldn't see each other again. He seemed to agree." she said through tears.

"they wont all be like that." Molly tried to console her.

But, Tonks had lost her will to move on. If those were the prospects in the dating pool, she rather just be alone. If she was being totally honest though, she'd really rather be with Remus.

Molly interrupted her inner thoughts. "Love, Why don't you come to dinner tomorrow night, it's Christmas eve. Remus said he was gonna stop by" Molly said. Tonks was pretty sure that Molly hoped if she could just her and Remus together enough that they would end up a couple again. But, Tonks felt like that was likely a loosing battle. If she was really going to attempt to move on in a serious way running into Remus would certainly not help her do that.

"Oh, that's so nice of you Molly, but I'm hoping for a quiet night, I think - I think I'm just going to stay home."

Molly didn't say anything right away but looked worried.

"Aright dear, well if you change your mind, you know where to find us." Molly told her, reassuringly, patting her on the arm, before busying herself with some tea.

Tonks sighed as she looked out the kitchen window, at the snow whirling about, and she couldn't help but wonder where Remus was, and how he was doing.

Remus couldn't help but feel as though Christmas morning had somehow came more quickly that year for some reason. Snow had fallen overnight and covered the streets of Hogsmeade in a sheet of icy snow.

Remus had been staying at the Hogshead since leaving his fathers house several weeks before. It wasn't a palace by any means, but Aberforth had always allowed him to stay there for cheap, or sometimes even for free as long as Remus helped out around the pub. Aberforth wasn't getting any younger and appreciated the help. And, Remus appreciated having a somewhat decent place to stay. In his youth he slept on park benches more often that he cared to admit.

The pub was closed on Christmas so Aberforth wouldn't need any help till the following morning, so halfway through the morning Remus set off into the streets of Hogsmeade. Remus admired all the beautiful Christmas decorations lighting up shop fronts and further down the road, peoples homes. He had always felt that Christmas was such a magically wonderful time. But, It made him quite sad to see all the families happily gathering together around their light up trees. It was something he hadn't gotten to do in many years. The year before that he had spent with Sirius and Tonks had been the closest he'd been to enjoying Christmas as a family that Remus had been in years, if not decades.

But, that wasn't as important right now. He had something extremely important on his mind. When he reached the boundaries of the village he disapperated with a loud 'pop'.

He hoped the magic of Christmas might just help him with something he had been attempting to do for the better part of the month.

He desperately needed to find out what happened to little Alfie. Up to then, he had been unsuccessful in this endeavor. He had searched for Alfie for the better part of December and had yet to find any sign of the small boy. But, he was certain that if the boy were to be anywhere. he'd be close by to the last place he saw him.

Remus quietly materialized to the far edge of the village that had been closest to the werewolf compound. He had told the boy to go there for help. He had to hope the boy had listened.

Remus walked quietly around the outskirts of the small village. The same as Hogsmeade, the village homes were filled with smiling happy faces enjoying themselves in the warmth.

But outside, It was bitterly cold and the wind went right through Remus' thinning cloak. He would of shivered if he hadn't been naturally so warm.

Remus couldn't help but feel he was searching in vain for the boy, as e searched through the town for the next hour.

At the end of the hour, he worried that perhaps he'd never find the boy again, but then he saw someone he knew.

It wasn't Alfie, but it was the young woman who'd he'd met down by the river after his last day with the werewolves. She walked around a corner and disappeared quickly. Remus didn't want to yell after her and startle her so he tried to quickly catch up to her.

When he rounded the corner she had taken, he sighed in relief. Alfie was with her. They were sitting together on a small porch with steaming bowls of what looked like soup. An older woman was removing snow from a walkway nearby them as well. When Alfie saw Remus he ran over to him, grabbing on to his leg.

"hey, I've been looking for you." Remus greeted him, patting him on the back.

He felt horrible, the boys clothes were in terrible shape and certainly not fit for cold weather.

Then the older woman called to him.

"You know them?" She gestured to them.

"Ah, yes we've met" Remus explained.

The woman looked disappointed. "Well, I've been hoping his parents would come find him." the woman told him.

"I told you, we don't have parents." The young girl said sadly.

"That makes no sense. He came from somewhere..." the lady said, while mumbling about calling the authorities.

Remus eyed the woman nervously. "You've been caring for them?" He asked

"Well, who else will help them." she exclaimed. "We must help each other in these trying times."

Remus sighed, the woman was safe.

"So your not taking them with you then?" She asked.

"Ah, no I cant do that unfortunately. would if I could." Remus explained.

"We can stay here with you. right?" The young woman asked the older woman.

"Yes, you can stay, at least until this bitter winter stops. But, that one is gonna need some better clothes." She pointed at the small boy.

"I cant afford any for him." She said before bustling off to continue her cleaning.

Remus bent down to see Alfie better. " Here." he said, taking his last old cloak off and wrapping Alfie in it, "That will keep you warmer for awhile."

The little boy must have been grateful because he hugged him. Remus patted him kindly in return.

"Take this." He instructed the girl, as he handed her the rest of the money he had in his pocket.

The girl looked as though she might refuse the coins, before Remus cut her off.

"That's wizarding currency, but there's a village about two miles north where you should be able to use it in the shops there. I wish I could give you both more, but its all I have now."

"thank you for helping us."

"You two will be okay here, right?" Remus asked quickly before the older woman came back into the alley.

the young woman nodded. "I think so. we transformed together up in the mountains this month."

Remus nodded.

"just make sure nobody finds out, that could be dangerous." Remus told her.

She clearly understood and nodded gravely.

"Where I'm staying is about a weeks walk, but if you ever needed anything I'll be staying in Hogsmeade Village."

"Thank you we appreciate the help."

"No problem. stay safe." Remus told them both before getting up to leave.

"bye." Alfie said in a small little voice.

"Bye, Alfie. These nice ladies are gonna take care of you for awhile, is that okay?" Remus asked the small boy.

Alfie nodded, but didn't speak. "Well see each other again I'm sure. stay safe, okay."

the little boy nodded again.

And with that, he left them behind.

A few hours later, Remus found himself approaching the Burrow. Which had been lavishly decorated, and he could see Molly busy in the kitchen from the front gate.

Thankfully, Aberforth had let him take a bottle of mead to bring as a gift, otherwise he would of had to come empty handed. Of course the Weasleys were so nice they likely wouldn't of cared but Remus cared. Bringing something made him feel less burdensome. The Weasleys were graciously making room for him to stay with them over Christmas.

When Remus entered the house Molly was spinning around the kitchen and waved him away when he offered to help her.

"Oh no Remus, you go relax in the parlor with Arthur and the kids, I've got everything set. Should be eating anytime." She said as she bustled around the Burrows small but inviting kitchen.

"Alright, thanks again Molly for having me, I really appreciate the hospitality."

"Oh we're happy to!" Molly beamed at him before he went off to sit in the parlor.

Remus was happy to be able to catch up with Harry and the others, amide the loud Christmas radio program playing and all the scents and sounds of the Burrow at Christmas.

But, he kept finding himself loosing his train of thought or getting lost in his thoughts entirely. He kept thinking of Tonks, he had hoped to see her, he hated how much he missed her. it felt miserable and it was a distracting feeling. But, a conversation that Arthur and Harry were having on the other side of the parlor drew his attention. He listened while Harry spoke to Arthur about Draco Malfoy. Eventually Remus was so exasperated by Harry that he felt he had to interrupt.

"But, how do we know If Snape was really trying to just gain Draco's trust?" Harry was asking.

"Its not really our business to know." Remus interjected. "Its Dumbledore's business, He trusts Severus, and that should be good enough for the rest of us." he continued.

Harry stared at him. "But Dumbledore can make mistakes, he's said so himself!"

"I trust Dumbledore's judgement, therefore I trust Severus." Remus explained plainly.

"And, Are you seriously telling me you like Snape?" He asked him, disbelievingly.

"I neither like, nor dislike Severus." Remus explained diplomatically.

Harry gave him a highly skeptical look.

"Look, Severus and I will never be best friends, but he did make the wolfsbane potion every month when I worked at Hogwarts, he made it perfectly for me, and he didn't have to either."

"And, he also let it slip that you were a werewolf and you had to leave!" Harry said indignantly.

Remus sighed, he felt a small flicker of appreciation for Harry's resolute defense of him. He was truly his fathers son.

Remus shrugged, defeated. "It would have leaked eventually either way, Harry. It was well known that Severus wanted my job, plus he could have caused truly catastrophic events were he to of tampered with the potion."

Harry looked at him and he continued. "He never tampered with the potion, he made it perfectly. I am still very grateful for that." Remus explained.

"He wouldn't of tampered with the potion with Dumbledore watching though." Harry argued.

Remus sighed again. "You are determined to hate him. And, I understand. You've inherited an old prejudice."

Just then, before Harry could respond again the radio program that had been playing loudly ended, and Arthur ushered everyone into the kitchen for a nightcap.

"I'm sorry I've not been able to write Harry. I've been living undercover, you see, writing to you would have been a definite give away."

"Undercover?' Harry questioned him.

"Yes, you see I've been living with my fellows. Other werewolves."

Harry look shocked.

But he listened as Remus told him about Fenrir Grayback. And his mission to infiltrate the werewolves encampments.

Soon after, everyone went off to bed. The Weasleys had graciously made room for everyone, including Remus. Which he was very grateful for.

But, Remus couldn't help but toss and turn as he tried to settle into sleeping.

Insomnia wasn't new to Remus, and eventually he gave up trying to sleep. he decided to go downstairs and perhaps sit by the fire and read to pass some time.

But, once almost to the kitchen. Remus heard voices coming from the kitchen and stopped. He didn't want to barge in on them if they were having a personal conversation.

He felt bad about it, but he listened to what they were saying from the landing above.

"You know Arthur, I don't think you can set Tonks up with anymore of those jokers who work for you!" Molly scolded.

"Oh? What happened?" Arthur asked, sounding scandalized.

Remus stomach dropped. He briefly considered that perhaps he shouldn't listen to this.

down below, The Weasleys continued speaking.

"that joker, John that you set her up with. He ever so kindly suggested that she should change her appearance for him. On their second date." Molly grumbled.

"He did not." Arthur said disbelievingly.

"That's what she told me. He asked her if she could change her body, how horrible is that? There's no good reason to ask somebody that." Molly exclaimed.

Remus heart sank even lower if that was possible. He felt sad to hear that Tonks was moving on, but felt even worse that it was going so horrible for her.

After this, Remus didn't feel like going downstairs to read. His head was too full of thoughts to do anything.

The next day wasn't much better. Remus enjoyed himself for the majority of the day, but at dinner, something else happened that further dampened his spirits even more.

In his haste to help Fleur, Ron knocked the gravy boat flying and Bill had to do some quick magic to stop the gravy from spilling all over the table.

In the aftermath, Fleur exclaimed.

"Ugh Ron, you are es bad es zat Tonks. Always knocking things ov-" Fleur said before being cut off by Molly.

" I invited dear Tonks to come to dinner tonight." Molly said glaring at Fleur.

"but, she wouldn't come." Molly continued. And, this time it was Remus who caught a death glare from Molly.

Remus felt even worse at this. Which he hadn't thought was possible. He cursed himself for doing this to Tonks.

"You haven't spoken to her lately Remus?" Molly continued.

Remus cleared his throat. "Ah, no. I've not spoken to anybody from the Order very much lately." Remus explained.

"But, Tonks has her own family to visit doesn't she?" Remus suggested after the fact, hopefully.

"MMMM. Maybe. I got the feeling that she was going to spend Christmas all alone, actually." Molly told them.

Remus felt his heart break. He didn't want her to be all alone. The look Molly was giving him certainly didn't help.

Harry interrupted the silence. " Ya know, Tonks patronous has changed apparently. OR, at least that's what Snape said."

Remus looked over at Harry, not sure how to take this news. Perhaps it wasn't true Remus hoped.

"Why would that happen?" Harry asked him. "I didn't know patronesses could change."

Remus chewed the single bite of turkey in his mouth about ten times before answering him.

"Ah, well." Remus started, trying not to sound concerned. "Sometimes a great shock, or some type of emotional event or upheaval can cause it to happen." Remus explained, feeling horrible, and feeling completely responsible.

"It was big, and it had four legs. You don't think it could be-" Harry began to ask, but was cut off by Molly screaming. Which Remus was thankful for.

"Its Percy!" Molly yelled.

And, the rest of the night seemingly dissolved. Even days later Remus wasn't sure how'd he'd made it through the evening.

xxx

(Stay tuned. We only have a few more chapters till our favorite couple are back together! Don't despair!"