A little while later, Tonks returned from the kitchen, carrying a tray with two mugs of tea. As she walked through the doorway, Remus could see the moment her foot caught on a slight unevenness in the floorboards. The tray wobbled dangerously, and for a heart-stopping second, it looked like the entire thing was about to spill everywhere.

But somehow, with a little stumble and a muttered curse under her breath, she managed to right herself, catching the tray before the mugs toppled over completely. She let out a breath of relief, shooting Remus a sheepish grin as she entered the room, balancing the tea with slightly more care now.

"Close one," she quipped, setting the tray down on the table beside him, then sitting down in the chair Sirius had used frequently in the past days.

For some reason, Remus couldn't help but find her clumsiness utterly endearing. There was something about the way she always managed to make it work—graceful in her own chaotic way. He smiled softly, watching as she settled into the chair beside him.

"Thanks," Remus said, his voice warm, accepting one of the mugs. "You always keep things interesting, don't you?"

Tonks chuckled, brushing off the near disaster as if it were par for the course. "What can I say? It's a talent."

Remus took a sip of the tea, still smiling, a quiet warmth settling between them. Her presence, even with the occasional clumsy moment, was a comfort he hadn't realised he needed until now.

Tonks shifted slightly in her chair, glancing at Remus with a mixture of concern and awkwardness. It was clear that she wanted to fuss over him—perhaps offer to fetch something or check on his condition again—but she couldn't quite find a reason that wouldn't feel intrusive.

"Do you need anything else?" she asked, her voice hesitant. "Muggle meds? I'm not really sure how you're supposed to take them, but—"

Remus smiled softly, cutting her off with a gentle shake of his head. "No, it's all good. No more fever. I can probably manage without the meds now."

"Good, good," Tonks replied, nodding, though the awkwardness lingered, her hands fidgeting slightly in her lap as she clearly tried to think of some way to help.

Seeing her struggle, Remus took pity on her. "Actually," he began, tilting his head thoughtfully, "if you don't mind, there's a book in the library I wouldn't mind reading now that I'm feeling a bit better."

Tonks's face immediately brightened, relieved to have something to do. "Of course! Which one?"

Remus gave her the title, and she practically sprang to her feet, eager to fetch it for him. "Be right back!" she chirped, darting out of the room and down the hall.

While she was gone, Remus settled back, feeling a bit more at ease, though a persistent tickle in his nose kept him from fully relaxing. He sighed, rubbing at his nose, the teasing sensation building but never quite leading to a sneeze. He sniffled, his breath catching slightly as the tickle continued to dance just out of reach.

By the time Tonks returned with the book in hand, Remus was in the throes of another frustrating, teasing sneeze that refused to come out. His eyes were half-lidded, his breath hitching as he tried to coax it out, but it just wouldn't happen.

Tonks, seeing his predicament, grinned mischievously. "Need a little help there?"

Before Remus could respond, she leaned in and playfully flicked the tip of his nose.

That was all it took.

"Hh—hh'TSHHH! Huh—TCHHHH! Hh'TCHOO!—huh, h'KSHEW!"

The volley of sneezes hit him fast, one after the other, each more forceful than the last. Remus barely had time to grab his handkerchief, his body jerking slightly with the force of them. When the fit finally subsided, he groaned softly, dabbing at his nose as he looked up at Tonks with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

"Thanks," he muttered dryly, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

Tonks chuckled, plopping down beside him. "Anytime," she said with a wink, clearly pleased with herself.

Remus couldn't help but shake his head, still sniffling slightly but grateful for her presence—and for the fact that she always knew how to lighten the mood, even when things were a bit uncomfortable. He settled back with the book she'd brought, the air between them now much more relaxed.


As Remus settled into reading the book, Tonks found herself oddly entranced by the simple act of watching him. It felt ridiculous, really—just sitting there, captivated by the way his eyes moved across the page, or the way he absentmindedly adjusted his reading glasses. Tonks had even realised until now that he needed reading glasses. She tried to pull her focus away, but her gaze kept drifting back to him.

Remus glanced up from the book now and then, clearly noticing her staring. He frowned slightly, a touch of worry crossing his features. "Something on my face?" he asked, his hand instinctively reaching for the handkerchief. "I haven't got… boogers or something, have I?"

Before he could grab the handkerchief himself, Tonks was quicker, handing it to him with a playful smirk. Not one of his clean ones either.

"You really shouldn't be touching that," Remus admonished gently, taking the handkerchief from her. "You should probably wash your hands, you know. Just in case."

Tonks, always one to rebel against caution, grinned mischievously. "Oh really?" She raised her hand and, just to be defiant, dramatically licked her palm all the way up to her index finger, sucking on the end of her finger in a way that was almost sensual, her eyes locked on his.

Remus's face flushed red with embarrassment—and maybe something more—, his mouth opening in surprise as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Dora!" he managed, utterly flustered.

She chuckled softly, clearly pleased with herself. "You are so easy to tease, Remus."

"And you're going to get sick at this rate," he replied, trying to regain some composure but feeling his face grow warmer by the second.

"Told you," she said, her tone light but confident. "Not worried about some little germs." She shifted closer to him in her chair, leaning in slightly. Her face was close—too close, uncomfortably so—but for some reason, Remus couldn't find it in himself to pull away.

The air between them changed, an almost electric tension growing as Tonks's eyes flicked down to his mouth. Remus's heart raced, and before he could find the words to protest, she leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a brief, gentle kiss.

It was just a peck, really—quick, almost innocent—but the moment was charged, leaving a lingering spark between them. Tonks pulled back slightly, her expression playful but with an edge of something more. Remus, still processing what had just happened, felt his heart pounding in his chest, the flush on his face deepening.

Neither of them spoke immediately, but the electricity of the kiss was undeniable, leaving both of them acutely aware that their dynamic had shifted in a way that couldn't be easily brushed off.

Remus cleared his throat awkwardly, backing away from Tonks as he tried to process the kiss. The sudden intimacy, though brief, left him feeling both surprised and flustered. He wasn't quite sure how to respond. Before either of them could say anything, a familiar tickle built in his nose again, and before he could reach for the handkerchief, he sneezed.

"Hh'ktSHeew!"

Tonks quickly recovered from her own uncertainty, her instincts kicking in as she fussed over him. "Alright, back under the covers with you," she said, her tone soft but playful as she tugged at the blankets, making sure Remus was fully tucked in.

Remus gave a weak chuckle, though it was clear he still wasn't entirely comfortable. He shifted beneath the blankets, trying to find a position that worked. Despite the two pillows behind him, he couldn't seem to settle into a position that allowed him to breathe properly.

Tonks watched him for a moment, then chuckled. "I see why Sirius's chest was needed for support," she teased, raising an eyebrow with a playful grin. "Need a substitute?"

Remus's face turned pink again, the embarrassment washing over him, but before he could protest, he realised how uncomfortable he really was. The pillows just weren't doing the trick. He sighed softly, giving in to both exhaustion and the situation.

Tonks, seeing his hesitation but also the clear discomfort he was in, smiled warmly and shifted, slipping into bed beside him. She opened her arms, gently drawing him in. "Come here, you stubborn wolf."

Remus, still embarrassed but grateful, slowly laid his head down on her chest. Her warmth was immediately comforting, and despite his internal turmoil, he felt a wave of relief as he finally settled into a comfortable position. Tonks's hand softly stroked his hair, soothing him in a way that eased the tension from both his mind and his body.

"Better?" she asked quietly, her voice gentle as her fingers threaded through his hair.

Remus gave a small, tired nod, his cheek resting against her. "Yeah," he mumbled, his voice soft, his body finally relaxing into her. Despite the awkwardness, despite the uncertainty, the comfort of the moment settled in, and Remus let himself be drawn into the warmth of her embrace.

And for now, that was enough.


Later that afternoon, Remus stirred awake, feeling the steady rise and fall of Tonks's chest beneath his head. As he blinked himself into awareness, he noticed a soft, familiar sound: Tonks, slightly sniffling and doing her best to suppress a sneeze.

He couldn't help but smile, though his voice came out in a soft, teasing rasp. "Told you so."

Tonks, clearly trying not to wake him, gave up the fight and sniffled again, rolling her eyes as she looked down at him. "Oh, hush," she muttered, her voice unmistakably starting to get thick with congestion. "There's more Pepper-Up where Sirius's came from."

Remus chuckled, feeling a bit of vindication but also concern as he lifted his head slightly to get a better look at her. "You'll be alright," he said, still smiling but with a trace of sympathy. "Welcome to the sickbed."

Tonks gave a dramatic sigh, but there was warmth in her smile. "I suppose I deserve this." She sniffed again, her nose twitching. "But don't worry—I'm tough."

Remus smiled, settling back against her, feeling a strange sense of comfort in the shared misery, though knowing full well Sirius would have a field day with this when he found out.

As if summoned by his thoughts, there was a soft knock on the door just as Tonks sneezed a dainty "hiksh" into her wrist. Sirius appeared in the doorway, his usual smirk plastered on his face as he leaned against the frame.

"See how it is?" Sirius teased, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Moony's hell-bent on sharing his cold with everyone now."

Tonks groaned softly, wiping her nose. "I guess it's too late for me now," she muttered, though there was a hint of a smile in her voice.

Remus, still half-buried in the blankets and Tonks's warmth, mumbled under his breath, "Not like I asked you guys to take care of me."

Sirius grinned wider, clearly hearing the remark. "Yeah, well, it's too late now, Moony. You're stuck with us. A walking contagion and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Remus huffed softly, rolling his eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. "Lucky me," he muttered, feeling the odd comfort of having both Sirius and Tonks close, despite the teasing.

Tonks sneezed again, a bit more forcefully this time, and before she could even react, Sirius was already on his feet, springing into action.

"I'll get the Pepper-Up," he declared, his voice filled with determination. He strode out of the room with a dramatic flair, heading downstairs to retrieve the bag of potions they had stashed away.

Remus watched him go, shaking his head with a small, fond smile. "Always the hero," he murmured softly, though the words carried no judgement, just understanding.

Tonks sniffled, her eyes rolling slightly, though she smiled as well. "He loves the theatrics," she said, her voice laced with amusement.

"True," Remus replied, adjusting himself slightly to give her more space.

There was a moment of quiet, Remus's smile deepening as he thought about it. He understood Sirius's need, the itch to do something, to be useful—especially when he was feeling trapped in Grimmauld Place. It was Sirius's way of coping, of channelling his restlessness into something positive, even if it meant over-the-top caretaking. Remus could never hold that against him.

"He needs this," Remus added, his voice soft as he glanced at Tonks. "It's how he handles things."

Tonks nodded, her smile softening. "Yeah, I figured that out pretty quickly. Not that I'm complaining—he's got a good heart."

Remus chuckled. "That he does." And as they waited for Sirius's return, Remus felt a sense of warmth in knowing that, in his own way, Sirius needed to take care of them both. It gave him purpose—and Remus would never stand in the way of that.

Sirius returned with a dramatic flair, offering up the bottle of Pepper-Up Potion to Tonks as if presenting her with a grand prize. "One freshly procured Pepper-Up, milady," he announced, his voice full of playful pomp.

Tonks, still sniffling, gratefully accepted the potion, rolling her eyes fondly at his theatrics. As she downed the potion, steam immediately began to pour from her ears, and she let out a small sigh of relief.

Sirius, looking over at the two of them, tilted his head with a grin. "So, is there any more space on that bed for me, or is it strictly a two-person arrangement?"

Neither Tonks nor Remus protested, and with a grin, Sirius quickly made himself comfortable, snuggling into Remus's other side with practised ease.

Tonks raised an eyebrow, giving them both a teasing look. "I didn't realise mild incest was part of the deal with you, Remus," she quipped, referring to the fact that Sirius was her second cousin, or first cousin once removed, or uncle, or who the hell knew what the correct term was. The Black family tree was kind of messed up.

Remus groaned softly in embarrassment, his face flushing as he tried to come up with a response. Sirius, however, burst out laughing, entirely unbothered. "Ah, family closeness," he said with mock solemnity. "The Black family's finest tradition."

Tonks chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, I guess it's a tradition I'll have to get used to, then."

As they all settled in, the peaceful quiet was momentarily broken by Tonks, who was suddenly overtaken by a delicate sneeze.

"Hih'ksh!"

The gentle force of it caused her to jostle Remus slightly. He glanced over at her with immediate concern, noticing the steam still pouring from her ears—a clear sign that the Pepper-Up Potion was supposed to be working. Yet, he couldn't help the flare of protectiveness that rose within him.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Remus asked softly, his brow creasing with worry. "The Pepper-Up should have cleared that up by now."

Tonks gave a light sniffle but smiled reassuringly at him. "I'm fine, really," she replied, her voice already sounding clearer than before. "Just a lingering sneeze. The potion's working wonders already."

Sirius leaned back against the headboard on Remus's other side, observing them with a knowing smirk. "Relax, Moony," he chimed in. "She's looking better already. See the steam?" He tugged playfully at Tonks's ears, where wisps of steam continued to rise.

Remus sighed, his eyes softening but still filled with concern. "I just want to make sure it's working properly," he murmured. Despite being the sickest of them all, his instinct to look after others was hard to suppress.

Tonks reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "You're sweet to worry," she said warmly. "But you should be resting. You're the one who needs the most care right now."

Before Remus could protest, another tickle flared in his own nose. He turned away just in time, bringing his handkerchief up.

"Hh... hh'TCHHHew!"

He sniffed, dabbing at his nose, and felt a bit lightheaded from the effort.

Tonks chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with gentle teasing. "See? You're still not over it yourself."

Sirius patted Remus on the back with a grin. "Listen to her, Moony. Let us take care of you without protest for a change."

Remus hesitated but then nodded, easing back into the pillows. "Alright," he conceded, though his gaze remained on Tonks. "But if you start feeling worse, please tell me."

She smiled, her expression tender. "I promise," she said softly. "Now, try to rest."

The three of them settled into a comfortable silence. Tonks's earlier sneeze seemed to have been the last of it, as the steam from her ears began to dissipate—a sign that the Pepper-Up Potion had run its course. Remus watched her for a moment longer, finally allowing himself to relax when he saw that her colour had returned, and her breathing sounded clear.

Sirius glanced between the two of them, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "You know," he said casually, "with all of us piled in here, we might as well make a party of it."

Tonks laughed lightly. "Only you would think being sick in bed constitutes a party."

"Hey, it's all about the company," Sirius retorted, winking.

Remus shook his head but couldn't hide the small smile that formed. Despite everything—the lingering illness, the worries, the unexpected developments—it felt oddly right to be here like this. Surrounded by friends who cared, the weight of Grimmauld Place seemed a little lighter.

"Perhaps tomorrow we'll all be back on our feet," Remus mused quietly.

"Perhaps," Tonks agreed, her eyes meeting his with a hint of something unspoken.

Sirius stretched out, making himself comfortable. "And until then, we'll just have to look after each other."

Remus settled deeper into the pillows, finally allowing himself to rest. "I suppose we will."

And with that, the trio drifted into a peaceful silence, the warmth of their friendship enveloping them as they each began to drift toward sleep.