AN: Thanks for everybody, following, favouriting and reviewing this story.

I don't own Harry Potter and don't make any profit.

Please, feel free to visit me again.

Severus was sitting in his living room, browsing through a book, but not really being able to concentrate, thinking of what just happened at Fortescue's. A knock on the door to the apothecary startled him out of his thoughts. He made his way downstairs, to find Tonks standing outside.

"Hi, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about Harry."

"You don't have to apologise. It's not your fault," he said leaning in the doorframe.

"I think he is just jealous, because Teddy likes you."

"Maybe."

There were a couple of moments of silence when they both said at the same time, "I need to go!" "Do you maybe want to come in?"

"Are you sure you want me to come in? I don't want to be intruding," she said, prompting him to grin, since he used the same words just half an hour ago.

"No, you wouldn't. I haven't anything special planned. I normally close my shop at noon on Fridays and just relax before starting to brew potions. So do you want to come in?"

"Yes, that would be nice," she said a bit awkwardly but stepped inside.

"I have to say, I really like that drawing of Hogwarts," Tonks said stopping in front of it.

"Thanks. I drew it myself," he gave her a shy smile.

"Really? Wow, I'm amazed. You are very talented, Severus."

"Thanks," he mumbled, embarrassed by this genuine compliment she just paid him.

"Would you like some tea?" She nodded and they went upstairs.

"So, what do you do for a living now? Are you still working as an Auror?"

"Yes, but I don't do any field work anymore. Now that I've got Teddy and he has only got me, I don't want to risk anything. The work sometimes gets a bit dull, and I miss being outside, I miss the excitement and the adrenaline, while on a mission. But when I come home to Teddy, I know that my decision was right," she said with a small smile.

"Teddy is great! He is very articulate for a three-year-old. Did you really tell him I'm a hero," Severus asked, placing a tray with a teapot, two cups, milk, sugar and a plate with some biscuits on the coffee table.

"I did, because I think you are," she simply said.

"I wish it would feel the same for me," he said pouring her some tea.

Trying to change the subject he said, "So I gathered you have a Teddy-free weekend. What are your plans?"

"I actually don't know. Our flat needs tidying…"

"Really, you're going to spend your free weekend tidying?"

"Have you seen my flat? I'm living with a very lively and creative three-year-old."

He chuckled. She leaned back and sipped her tea.

"Thank you for the picture about Remus you painted for Teddy. I know you two weren't too fond of each other, given the history you had together."

"I wasn't lying, I meant what I said," he said earnestly.

"Everything? The thing about his taste in women as well?"

Severus nodded.

"Wow! I don't know what to say?"

"You don't have to say anything. You lost your husband. So, there is nothing to say really. I don't even know why I said it. I probably shouldn't have said anything. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't. It was a very nice compliment you paid me. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he paid her a small smile.

"I should get going, so you can do your brewing!"

"Let me take you to the door," he said resting his hand on the small of her back, while walking next to her.

Arriving at the door, Tonks turned to him, lightly squeezing his upper arm, "Thanks Severus."

Severus once again flinched under her touch, prompting her to pull away quickly.

"Sorry I forgot you are not the touchy-feely type."

She wasn't sure if she imagined it, but she thought she saw a pained expression flit across his face.

"Apparently I'm not," he whispered, not daring to look at her.

"Goodbye Tonks! Please feel free to visit me again."

"I will. Goodbye Severus!"

He turned around and went to his lab.

Three hours later Tonks wiped across her forehead and slumped into her armchair.

"Done! All clean! Give it ten minutes after Teddy is back," she huffed to herself.

She had tidied the whole flat and gave it a clean as well. Sniffing the air around her she mumbled, "I really need to take a shower."

When she came out of the bathroom half an hour later, all the sweat and dirt washed off, she settled herself with a book, she bought ages ago, but didn't find the time to actually read it. After half an hour of reading, not really being able to concentrate, she got up restlessly wandering through the flat, after the third round she mumbled to herself, "He did say I can visit again."

She went to her bedroom, rummaging in her wardrobe until she found what she was looking for, a light-yellow summer dress.

"It is after all summer," she said somewhat apologising to no one in particular. She apparated to Diagon Alley and made her way to his little apothecary. It took her a couple of minutes before she found the courage to knock.

When he opened the door, he wasn't thinking about her at all, his mind still being in the lab with his potions.

"Oh hi! I didn't think I would see you so soon again. Please come in!"

"I'm actually not sure why I came?"

"Never mind. Please do come in. I'm just finishing mailing some orders. By the way you look gorgeous in that dress."

"Thanks," she mumbled slightly blushing, "Well it's after all summer and I thought I might as well wear something … um … colourful."

"I like it," he simply said.

"I'm sorry I'm in my brewing outfit, that's not quite as spectacular. Please come through. So, this is my lab, I just have to pack and owl three orders. This one goes to Fleur Weasley," he tied a small parcel to a barn owl.

"Let me guess, it's something along the line of being in puerperal?"

"I'm handling my customers orders discreetly," but winked at her.

"And off you go!" he opened the window to let the owl fly out. "

Wow you have got three owls," she said looking at the two other owls waiting patiently for their orders to deliver.

"I need three otherwise I couldn't keep up with the mail orders."

"You are gorgeous aren't you," she said to a proud Eurasian eagle owl.

"This is Alexander."

"As in 'the Great'," she asked.

He nodded, "I normally call him Lex though."

"Hi Alexander! Where are you delivering your potions tonight? May I stroke you?"

She carefully reached out and slightly touched the beautiful bird, who responded by hooting softly.

"He will be delivering a small order for Hogwarts. By the way can you hand me five bottles of the calming draught over there?"

"Sure," she said turning to the shelf where he stored some potions.

"Here you…," she said tripping over the foot of a chair, two of the small bottles flying out of her hand, soaring past Severus' ear and spectacularly smashing on the opposite wall.

"…go. I'm really sorry," she stammered.

"It's okay, don't worry."

"Are you sure," she asked concern and embarrassment written all over her face.

He reached out and rested her hand on her shoulder saying, "I am sure. I've got plenty more."

He smiled at her and with a flick of his wand vanished the mess. After he had wrapped up the potions and tied the parcel to the owl's leg, he said, "Lex my boy, please deliver this safely to Poppy at Hogwarts."

Lex hooted, spread his wings and left through the window.

"And who are you? You are tiny," she cooed to a tiny pygmy owl.

"This is Lil," he said.

"As in Lily?"

He laughed, "No as in little."

He tied a small parcel to the owl's leg and let her fly out of the window closing it behind her. With a wave of his wand the lab tidied itself and he said, "Sorry, I really need to take a shower, brewing always leaves me sticky and sweaty."

After they went upstairs, he said, "I won't be long, please make yourself at home."

She was looking around his flat. It was a sight for sore mother eyes, being nice and tidy without any toys lying around. It wasn't very big, but tasteful. Two walls of the living room were covered in bookshelves from top to bottom. After browsing through a book, she went to the kitchen to fetch herself a glass of water. She was about to head back to the living room when the door to the bathroom opened and Severus appeared wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. She couldn't help but notice his lean, but muscular frame.

"I … I'm … sorry. I… w… was … thirsty," she stammered seeing the haunted look on his face.

She quickly turned away and went back to the living room. When he joined her in his living room a couple of minutes later, he was wearing a pair of scruffy jeans with a hole over one knee and a white button-down shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up. He was bare foot, his dark hair hanging in wet strands around his face.

"I'm sorry," she said shyly.

"It's alright," he gave her a weak smile.

"So, what were you plans for tonight, before I messed them up?"

"Friday evenings are normally casually. That's when my weekend starts. I could cook us some dinner if you'd like that."

"You cook?"

He nodded.

"I think I would like that," she smiled.

"Unfortunately, I only have one steak but if you don't mind sharing…"

"No, but I'm sorry you now have to share your steak with me," she apologised.

"That's fine. Please don't worry. But it would be nice if you keep me company while I'm cooking" he smiled.

"So, tell me did you tidy your flat," he asked while preparing his cooking ingredients.

"I did and I also gave it a thorough clean. The flat is spotless now. But it will take about five minutes after Teddy gets back and it looks like before," she grinned.

"That bad?" he chuckled.

"Don't even ask."

"Would you like some wine?" he asked.

"Yes please."

"There is some in the pantry, if you won't mind getting it."

"Is the Shiraz, okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. There are some glasses in the cupboard. Are you okay with opening the bottle or are you going to hurt yourself," he teased.

"Oh, ha ha! Very funny," she replied and opened the bottle.

"Mmh, it's delicious. I really miss having grown-up drinks once in a while."

"We should really toast," he said.

"What are we toasting to," she asked.

"I don't know. Our friendship maybe," he said a bit insecure.

"I like that! To our friendship."

"To our friendship," he said clinking his glass against hers.

"So, can I ask you something? Why did you come, not that I'm not happy about it, I'm just curious," he asked putting the steak in the pan.

"To be honest I'm not used being by myself anymore. I felt lonely," she admitted.

"But why me? Why not Miss Granger or Miss Weasley," he mused.

"I don't know, because you seemed to care about me, but not in that pitiful way, like everybody else. And I like you."

"Fair enough. Can you maybe set the table," he asked.

When they sat down for dinner, he said, "I'm glad you came. It's nice to have a friend."

She smiled at him, "It is."

They were silent for a couple of minutes enjoying their meal.

"This is really good. I didn't think you would be such a good cook."

"Thanks," he smiled.

"And it's really nice to enjoy a meal in peace and quiet with some adult conversation, once in a while. So, tell me about your apothecary?"

"There is not much to tell. It's a small business. I enjoy brewing. Always did. I didn't enjoy teaching so much."

"Really you didn't. I wouldn't have guessed," she teased.

"I tend to forget you were my student," he commented dryly wiping his mouth.

"Well, I'm content with what I have and what I do," he said smiling.

"I'm happy for you! So, have you got more of those drawings? I would love to see them."

"Are you sure? I don't want to bore you."

"Yes, I'm sure. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked."

"Okay," he beamed and went to a chest of drawers, pulling out a portfolio.

"This is a mix of landscapes, Hogwarts, people in Diagon Alley…" his voice trailed off. She was looking through the drawings, not saying a single word. After a couple of moments, she moved to the floor, and it didn't take long until the whole floor of his living room was covered in drawings. Severus was tidying the table and taking the dirty dishes to the kitchen. Coming back, he heard a strangled sob.

"What's wrong?"

Tonks didn't answer but holding a drawing in her hands.

"Oh no! That wasn't supposed to be in this portfolio. I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't. I just miss him so much. This captures his personality beautifully and it is hilarious. She giggled through her tears, holding a caricature of the Marauders in her hands.

"So, you like it?"

"I do. I like all of them. You are a very talented artist, Severus."

"You think I'm an artist?" he asked shyly.

"Yes," she said gathering all drawings and carefully putting them back into the portfolio.

"With a couple of lines, you seem to capture the essence of a person or a scene. Wow, Severus that's amazing."

"Thanks," he mumbled blushing. "So would you like some ice-cream?"

They spent an enjoyable evening talking about his drawings, her work and sharing old stories about the Order.

When she came home, she felt happy. Plopping down on her bed, she grinned thinking about Severus. Her gaze travelled to the photo of her and Remus on the wall next to the bed, when suddenly her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry Remus I don't know what's happening. S…Severus seems to care about me. And when he looks at me there is no pity or fear in his eyes. He makes me smile. I'm really sorry," she pleaded with the photo of her late husband. Tonks buried her face in her pillow and cried.

At the same time Severus was lying on his sofa sighing, thinking about how inappropriate it would be to fall for Tonks, a widow and single mother. But there he was not being able to think about something else than her dark eyes and the dimple that appeared in her left cheek when she smiled. Great! That would complicate his life, which had just calmed down after the war. He needed someone to talk to, desperately.

AN: Reviews welcome! Thank you!