Remus stirred awake, still nestled into Sirius's chest. At some point during the night, the itchiness from the Wolfsbane Potion had thankfully worn off, allowing him a more restful sleep. However, as he shifted and pulled away from Sirius, his face burned with embarrassment—there was a string of congestion connecting his nose to Sirius's shirt.
Mortified, Remus scrambled for his handkerchief, wiping away the mess quickly. Why now? he thought, disgusted with himself. He hadn't been this gross even when his cold was at its worst, so of course, this had to happen now.
As Remus pulled away, Sirius stirred at the sudden loss of warmth. He blinked awake, his voice still thick with sleep. "Morning, Moony." He glanced at Remus and immediately noticed the embarrassment written all over his face.
Sirius grinned, completely unfazed by the situation. "What's the matter? Bit of a leaky nose? I've seen worse."
Remus huffed, dabbing his nose, clearly trying to hide his embarrassment. "You shouldn't have to see worse," he muttered. "This is disgusting."
Sirius waved him off, completely nonchalant. "Please. I've seen you transform under the full moon, mate. Bit of snot is nothing."
Remus, still blushing, managed a weak chuckle at Sirius's casual dismissal. "Still, I could've done without that."
Sirius clapped him lightly on the back, his grin never wavering. "Trust me, Moony, you've got nothing to be embarrassed about. Now, how about I make us some tea?"
"Starting to get obsessed with the tea, Padfoot," Remus teased with a small grin, blowing his nose as he settled back against the pillows, quite frankly surprised just how much gunk was still in there.
"Something stronger, then?" Sirius asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You know I can't with the potion," Remus replied, his voice still slightly congested but more amused than anything.
Sirius quirked an eyebrow. "Was thinking more along the lines of coffee than Firewhiskey, but sure."
Remus chuckled softly, appreciating Sirius's humour. "Coffee is fine."
"Coffee it is, then," Sirius said with a smirk, getting up with the same dramatic flair he always had. He tossed one last look at Remus over his shoulder before heading out. "I'll make it strong. You'll need it to survive another day in this hellhole."
Remus watched him go, his smile lingering, grateful for the lightness Sirius brought to the situation.
After the strong coffee Sirius had prepared, Remus felt more awake and alert, no longer in the mood to stay cooped up in bed. He wasn't sick anymore, at least not in the traditional sense, and lying about all day was starting to make him restless. With a sigh, he decided to head downstairs, stretching his sore limbs as he went.
The one thing he wasn't looking forward to was the inevitable repeat of last night's sneezing fit after taking the evening dose of Wolfsbane Potion. Though the relentless sneezing had at least cleared the lingering congestion from the cold in his sinuses, he couldn't help but hope that tonight wouldn't be as bad. Maybe the worst of it was over.
As he entered the kitchen, Sirius glanced up from his seat at the table, raising an eyebrow. "Feeling alive again, are we?"
Remus smirked. "Mostly. Let's just hope tonight doesn't turn into another sneezing marathon."
Sirius chuckled. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there, Moony. For now, enjoy being able to breathe."
That evening brought an unexpected surprise when Snape arrived to deliver the evening dose of Wolfsbane Potion. The air was tense as usual when Severus was around, but everything went smoothly, and he left soon after administering the dose. Remus was already bracing himself for the inevitable discomfort, though a part of him hoped it wouldn't be as bad this time.
Tonks also stopped by not long after Snape had left, her concern for Remus pulling her back to Grimmauld Place, even having swapped her nightshift for next week with another coworker. She sat with them for a while, chatting and keeping an eye on Remus, unaware of what was about to happen.
When the effects of the Wolfsbane began to kick in, the familiar itchiness started first, but before long, the sneezing fit that Remus had feared took over, the itch in his sinuses flaring out of control.
"Hh'NGTCHH! Hh'Tshie'ew!"
Tonks's eyes widened as she watched, clearly unprepared for the sudden and uncontrollable sneezes. "Is it always like this?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Nah," Sirius answered for Remus, who was too deep in the throes of the sneezing fit to respond. "The itchiness, sure. But the impressive sneezing is just because he had a cold recently."
"Hh'tsh! Hh'TSHH!"
Remus barely managed to stifle another sneeze, and Tonks immediately began fussing over him, her hand gently rubbing his back. "Alright, come on, let's get you up to bed," she said softly, helping him up.
Still sneezing, Remus allowed her to guide him, grateful for her care despite the embarrassment. Sirius watched them go with a small smile, his usual teasing nature tempered by genuine relief that Tonks was there to look after his friend.
"Would a shower help?" Tonks asked, her voice filled with genuine concern as she watched Remus struggle to keep up with the relentless sneezing.
Remus could only shake his head, his face still buried in his handkerchief as another series of sneezes overtook him. "Hh'Tshew! Hh… hih'pksh!" The thought of a shower after what happened last night made him wince inwardly—he didn't need a repeat of that disaster. This was more managable, even if only just. Though Dora didn't know that.
Tonks, clearly at a loss, bit her lip, trying to think of something else. "How about a warm, wet towel on your face?" she suggested, her brow furrowing as she tried to come up with ways to help him.
Remus just shrugged, not really knowing if that would help or not. He had no idea what could soothe this overwhelming reaction. "Hh... hh'Tshh!" he sneezed again, shaking his head slightly. This situation was as new to him as it was to Tonks, and at this point, he was willing to try anything to make it stop.
Tonks gave him a sympathetic look and gently pressed her hand to his shoulder. "Alright, I'll get a towel. Can't hurt to try."
Tonks returned with a warm, damp towel and carefully placed it over Remus's face. He sighed in relief as the soothing warmth eased some of the unbearable itchiness in his eyes, but unfortunately, it did little to stop the sneezing.
"Huh'pshtt! Hh… hh'Tshew!" Remus continued, though now into the towel instead of his handkerchief. His nose was still out of control, but at least the pressure from the itch seemed to lessen around his eyes. He muttered a quiet, congested thanks in between sneezes, feeling some slight comfort, even if the situation was still far from ideal.
Tonks rubbed his shoulder gently. "Hang in there, Remus. You're doing alright," she murmured, watching over him with soft concern as the sneezing continued. At least they'd found something to bring a bit of relief, even if it wasn't enough to stop the fit.
In the end, Remus found himself nestled into Tonks, much like he had been with Sirius the previous night. His body sagged against hers, completely worn out from the relentless sneezing fit. Though the sneezing had finally slowed down, he was utterly exhausted, his limbs heavy and his nose still twitching with the occasional tickle.
Tonks couldn't help but chuckle softly as he nuzzled into the crook of her neck. She gently rubbed his back, finding this clingy, tired version of Remus incredibly adorable.
"Glad at least someone is enjoying this," Remus muttered, his voice muffled against her skin.
Just as he finished speaking, another sneeze crept up on him. "Hh'mptsh!" It was a soft, muffled sound, barely moving him as he didn't even bother to pull away, simply too tired to care.
Tonks smiled warmly, stroking his hair. "It's not every day I get to see you like this, all snuggly and sneezy."
Remus groaned, though a small smile tugged at his lips despite his misery. "Don't get used to it," he mumbled, his voice drowsy, though only really meaning the sneezy part. He was too drained to argue, his body giving in to the comfort of her presence as he relaxed into her arms, breathing quietly and softly between lingering sniffles.
Tonks smiled softly as she watched Remus, his body finally relaxing against her, exhausted but finding some comfort in her embrace. With a tender expression, she leaned down and kissed his forehead affectionately, her lips lingering for a brief moment.
Remus sighed quietly, the warmth of her gesture soothing him even more. Though he was still tired and sniffly, the affection she offered was enough to calm the remaining tension in his body, allowing him to drift closer to sleep.
Tonks continued to stroke his hair gently, her heart full as she held him close, content just to be there for him.
When Remus woke up, he felt surprisingly well-rested, thankful to have avoided the mess of the previous morning. As he shifted slightly, Tonks, still half-asleep, instinctively hugged him tighter. She then let out a yawn and stretched like a cat, her hair shifting from its natural light brown to a vibrant purple almost instantly as she became fully conscious.
"You look better," she commented, her eyes half-lidded with sleep.
"Yeah, it wears off by morning usually," Remus replied, his voice clearer than it had been in days.
Tonks smirked. "How's this gonna work for you tonight? Gonna have a sneezy wolf?"
Remus chuckled softly. "Probably."
She giggled, clearly amused by the thought. "I'll stop by before you go down to the cellar, alright?"
"You don't have to," Remus said gently, though a part of him was already comforted by the thought of her presence.
"I want to," she insisted with a playful grin. "Besides, can't miss the show."
"You're enjoying this way too much," Remus teased, though his own smile lingered.
Tonks paused for a moment, turning thoughtful. "I don't enjoy you being miserable, don't get me wrong," she clarified, her voice softening. "But I do love the snuggles that come with it."
Remus smiled, feeling warmth spread through him at her words. "Well, I suppose that's one upside to all of this."
Tonks kissed his cheek affectionately. "Exactly."
As soon as Tonks left, the familiar pre-moon grumpiness began to settle over Remus. Wolfsbane Potion may have kept his mind intact during the transformation, but it did little to stop the caged feeling that clawed at him before each full moon. It made him restless, irritable, and though his temperament had improved vastly from his teenage years—less rampaging hormones and all that—he still struggled with the impending transformation.
Sirius, knowing better than to push too much, gave Remus his space for the most part. But today, he couldn't resist a bit of teasing, especially with the budding romance between Remus and Tonks becoming more obvious.
"So," Sirius started, leaning casually in the doorway, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Heard Tonks is coming again tonight?"
Remus shot him a look, a mix of annoyance and amusement flickering in his eyes. "I don't need you stirring things up, Padfoot," he muttered, though the usual pre-moon irritability was clear in his tone.
Sirius raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, just saying. Seems like something's brewing there."
Remus huffed, leaning back in his chair. "It's… complicated."
Sirius's grin widened. "Complicated, sure. But admit it, Moony. It's nice to have her around, isn't it?"
Remus didn't respond immediately, his eyes dropping to the floor as he tried to ignore the way his mind was buzzing with both the full moon and the tangled feelings he had for Tonks. "Yeah," he admitted quietly after a moment, though there was a hint of tension in his voice.
Sirius's teasing smile softened at that, knowing when to pull back. "She's good for you, Remus. Even if you won't admit it."
Remus huffed, crossing his arms, the tension from the looming full moon weighing heavily on him. "I thought you knew to stay out of my way during this time."
Sirius shrugged, completely unbothered. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that?"
Remus shot him a look, but there was no real bite behind it. "You know, you might be the only person who could get away with that right now."
Sirius chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Perks of being your best mate, Moony. Plus, I figure if I get on your nerves enough, it'll distract you from this whole 'full moon grumpiness' thing."
Remus rolled his eyes, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth despite himself. "You're impossible."
"And you love me for it," Sirius quipped, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Now, do you want to brood more, or should I make us some tea? Maybe I'll even let you complain about how awful the Wolfsbane tastes. It's been a while since I've heard that one."
Remus chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine. Tea sounds good."
Sirius gave a mock bow. "Your wish is my command, Moony." And with that, he disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Remus with a little less weight on his shoulders, even if just for a moment.
Sirius couldn't suppress the burst of laughter that escaped him as he watched Remus, who had been stewing in his usual pre-moon moodiness, instantly mellow out the moment Tonks returned from work. It was like watching a storm break into sunshine—one moment, Remus was sipping grumpily on his Wolfsbane Potion, and the next, he perked up, his attention solely on her as she rushed in, slightly out of breath.
"Wotcher," Tonks greeted, her cheeks flushed from hurrying to see him before he headed down into the cellar.
Remus, who just moments before had been lost in his irritable thoughts, seemed to forget his discomfort as soon as she appeared. He gave her a small smile, the tension easing from his frame almost immediately.
Sirius, still grinning, shook his head. "I swear, Moony, it's like magic," he muttered to himself, thoroughly amused by the sudden shift in his friend's mood.
Tonks came up to stand next to Remus, and without a second thought, he slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. There was a subtle possessiveness in the way he held her, something that surfaced under the influence of the moon's pull.
She glanced down at the Wolfsbane Potion in his hand and wrinkled her nose. "Does that taste as bad as it looks?"
"Worse," Remus muttered, his voice muffled as he nuzzled into her stomach, where her skin peeked out slightly between her shirt and trousers. The touch of her warmth seemed to ground him, and at the same time, it helped stave off the annoying ticklishness building in his nose again. The itchiness from the potion was already creeping back, though thankfully not as intense as the previous days.
Tonks chuckled softly, running her fingers through his hair, her presence soothing the underlying tension in him. "You're brave to keep drinking that stuff," she teased gently.
"Not much of a choice," Remus replied, though his tone was softer now, more at ease with her so close.
Remus downed the rest of the Wolfsbane Potion in one quick gulp, grimacing at the taste but knowing it was best to get it over with. Then, without a word, he pushed his chair back and pulled Tonks into his lap, burying his face into the crook of her neck. The scent of her skin and the warmth of her body against his seemed to calm the lingering unease from the approaching full moon.
Sirius, still sitting nearby, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "Oi, I'm still here, you know," he joked, though his tone was light and amused. The look on his face made it clear that he was utterly fascinated by the way Remus was acting. He had never seen him behave like this—so openly affectionate and possessive with anyone, especially not so close to the full moon.
Remus didn't pull away, though he did mumble something unintelligible into Tonks's neck. Sirius smirked. "Merlin, Moony, I've never seen you like this."
Tonks grinned, her hand running through Remus's hair as she glanced at Sirius. "Guess he's just full of surprises," she teased gently, her voice warm and playful.
Sirius shook his head, still amused. "Yeah, well, I'm not complaining. This is new, though."
Remus remained quiet, his grip on Tonks tightening slightly as he kept his face pressed against her neck, content to stay just like that for the moment. The impending full moon was looming, but with her in his arms, it felt a little easier to bear.
Soon enough, the inevitable sneezes began, though this time they were less rapid and uncontrollable than before. Instead, they came with a slow-burning, itchy build-up that left Remus hitching with anticipation. He really didn't want to let go of Dora, especially not with the comfort she brought him during the pre-moon discomfort. But he was still in his right mind—mostly—and knew better than to sneeze into her hair or neck.
With a soft, reluctant sigh, he drew back slightly, turning his head to the side just as the first sneeze escaped.
"Hh… hh'Huh'eish'iew!"
He sniffled, trying to regain control, but the tickle in his nose lingered, his breath hitching again.
"Hh–hi…"
Sirius, watching the whole ordeal with barely contained amusement, raised an eyebrow. "You alright there, Moony?"
Remus shot him a brief, exasperated look, before another sneeze overtook him. "Hh'hehktsiew!"
Tonks chuckled, rubbing his back soothingly as he tried to regain his composure. "Bless you," she said softly, her fingers still gently running through his hair.
Remus, grateful for the contact, sniffled again and muttered, "Thanks," though his voice was thick with congestion. He sighed, leaning back into her, trying to ignore the lingering itch in his nose.
Remus could feel his body growing heavier, a familiar ache spreading through his joints—a clear sign that the moon was creeping closer. Despite the discomfort, he felt like he could drift off to sleep, nestled against Tonks, the warmth of her touch grounding him. The pain was there, but her presence seemed to keep it at bay, at least for now.
"Come on, Moony, we gotta go down," Sirius nudged him gently, pulling him back to reality. Remus blinked, realising he'd been lost in either his thoughts or in the comfort of Tonks, or perhaps a mix of both.
"I'll be here, waiting for you," Tonks said softly, giving him a reassuring smile.
For a moment, panic surged through Remus's chest. She's staying?
"Please don't…" Remus started, his voice strained. His mind raced, imagining her hearing… He trailed off, realising how irrational his fears were. Hearing what, exactly? This wasn't like his transformations in the Shrieking Shack—he was on Wolfsbane now. But still, the thought of her being so close when it happened made his throat tighten.
Tonks tilted her head, confused but patient.
Remus cleared his throat, feeling awkward and a bit foolish. "Uh… no—yeah, okay. We'll be back up around 6 AM probably."
Tonks smiled warmly, her tone light as she replied, "I'll have breakfast waiting."
Remus exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and something softer, something more comforting at her words. She wasn't going anywhere—not really—but she wasn't going to be close enough to see him in that state either. And somehow, that balance was just right.
"Okay, come on, break it up, lovebirds," Sirius said with more insistence, stepping between Remus and Tonks. "We're cutting it close as it is."
With a gentle but firm nudge, Sirius separated the two and guided Remus toward the cellar door. The urgency in Sirius's voice left no room for argument, and Remus, feeling the moon's pull growing stronger, reluctantly followed.
As they descended the stairs, Remus felt a familiar tickle in his nose. "Hh… hh'Huh'eish'iew!" The sneeze echoed slightly in the cold, damp space. He heard Sirius behind him, locking the door and setting a couple of wards for added security. The clang of the lock always brought a sense of finality, marking the beginning of what would come next.
The cellar was cold, much colder than the rest of Grimmauld Place. The chill seeped into Remus's bones as he began undressing in preparation for the transformation. His body reacted to the frigid air, causing him to stifle another sneeze. "Huh'ngxshh!"
Remus shivered, trying to focus on steadying his breath, but the dampness down here always made it harder. Another sneeze crept up on him— "Hh… hh'Huh'eeshh!"—and he muffled it into his shoulder, hoping the sneezing would die down before the transformation began.
Sirius, meanwhile, moved about with efficiency, as he always did, setting things in place and preparing to shift into Padfoot when needed. His presence brought a kind of comfort, reminding Remus that, no matter how grim the night ahead seemed, he wouldn't face it alone.
As the full moon rose, the inevitable transformation began. Remus gritted his teeth as his bones snapped and ligaments painfully realigned, though he swallowed the agony, letting barely a grunt escape his lips. It was a familiar pain, one he had endured countless times before, but no matter how many moons passed, it never got easier.
And then, in a final shudder, the transformation was complete. Remus was the wolf—Moony—his mind fully intact thanks to the Wolfsbane. He gave a canine sneeze, "Hh'RRfsshh!" shaking his large head, his fur bristling briefly from the sensation.
Exhaling through his now-sensitive nose, Moony padded over to the rug that Sirius had laid out for him. The cold, damp cellar floor was harsh, but the rug provided a small comfort. He curled up on it, his large body resting as peacefully as it could under the moon's influence.
Sirius, already transformed into Padfoot, trotted up beside him, settling in next to Moony with a quiet, reassuring presence. Moony let out a soft huff of acknowledgement, appreciating the warmth and companionship his friend offered, even in this form.
It looked like it was going to be a quiet moon, save for the occasional muffled canine sneeze from Moony— "Rff'tshh!"—which only caused him to shake his head again before resting it back on his paws. Together, the two of them rode out the long night, side by side as always.
When the first rays of morning light filtered into the cellar, both Sirius and Remus slowly began to shift back into their human forms. The transformation was always exhausting, and Remus groaned softly as he lay on the cold, damp floor, his body aching and stiff from the change.
Sirius, still catching his breath, glanced around the cellar and then back at Remus, a question forming in his mind. "You know, Moony," he started, his voice still raspy from the night, "I've been wondering… why exactly are we doing this down here in the damp cellar? You're a complete gentleman under Wolfsbane."
Remus huffed under his breath as he stretched out his sore limbs. "Yeah, but what if the potion fails?" he muttered. "Best to be safe."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, still not convinced. "Yeah, I get that, but why can't we ward a bedroom or something? What's the worst that could happen? Some furniture damage?"
That made Remus pause, his tired mind turning over the idea. Sirius had a point. The Wolfsbane Potion had been reliable for years, and the worst-case scenario would indeed be a bit of broken furniture. It didn't really matter what room they warded, as long as it was safe.
"Huh," Remus thought aloud, rubbing his hand over his face. "I guess… this might be some residual self-flagellatory tendency." He let out a dry chuckle, the realisation hitting him. "I used to do my transformations in my office at Hogwarts when I was a professor. That was fine."
Sirius smirked. "Exactly. No need to keep punishing yourself down here in the damp. Next time, we'll ward one of the bedrooms, yeah?"
Remus gave him a small, tired smile, nodding in agreement. "Yeah… I think that might be a good idea."
"I know right?" Sirius winked.
Just as Remus was about to respond, a sudden sneeze interrupted him. "Hh'eishhh!"
Sirius rolled his eyes, but a smirk tugged at his lips. "Get dressed, you numpty," he admonished, tossing Remus his clothes from the nearby pile.
Remus, still sniffling, shot him a mock-glare but knew Sirius had a point. Sirius, as an Animagus, had the advantage of transforming with his clothes intact. Remus, on the other hand, didn't have that luxury. If he didn't undress before the transformation, his clothes would get shredded to pieces in the process, leaving him in the same state—naked by morning, no matter what.
"Yeah, yeah," Remus muttered as he began pulling on his clothes, his body still sore but thankful for the brief reprieve of conversation.
Sirius chuckled, pulling on his own shirt. "You know, one of these days we'll get you a dressing gown for the post-moon transformation. Make the whole 'naked in the morning' thing a little less dramatic."
Remus chuckled as he buttoned his shirt. "I'll add that to my wish list."
Remus had barely finished dressing when another sneeze overcame him. "Hh'hehktsiew!"
Sirius, who had been lighthearted just moments before, frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. "Remus," he started, his voice losing its teasing edge, "you alright?"
Remus wiped his nose, sniffling slightly, and shrugged. "I'm fine, just some lingering irritation, I think."
But Sirius wasn't convinced. "You're sneezing a lot, even for post-moon," he muttered, his eyes scanning Remus's face, looking for any signs of something more serious.
"I'm alright, Sirius," Remus insisted, though his voice was a bit thick with congestion.
Sirius crossed his arms, worry etched on his face. "Just… don't push yourself, alright? We've got time to take it easy today."
Remus nodded, appreciating Sirius's concern but hoping that it was simply a lingering effect from the Wolfsbane potion. Even though that wasn't typical, he tried to convince himself it was nothing more. As they trudged up the stairs slowly, each step seemed to protest against Remus's aching joints, reminding him how much more comfortable it would be to do this in a warded bedroom with an actual bed to collapse into right after.
When they finally made it upstairs, Tonks was waiting as promised, a hearty meal spread out before them—full English breakfast. Despite the lingering exhaustion, Remus felt a pang of hunger hit him. He was starving.
But as he moved toward the food, another sneeze caught him off guard. "Huh'eishhhew!" He sneezed into the crook of his elbow, drawing Tonks's attention.
She frowned, remembering how Remus had mentioned that the allergic reaction to the Wolfsbane Potion usually subsided by morning. But the sneezes—well, they sounded more like his allergy sneezes like last night than his cold sneezes from days prior. She glanced at the cellar door thoughtfully.
"Is it mouldy down there?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Remus looked at her, then at Sirius, his face scrunching up as if realising that might actually be the case. "It could be…" he muttered, rubbing his nose, feeling another sneeze teasing at the back of his sinuses.
"Seriously," Tonks shook her head in exasperation, her eyes narrowing playfully at Remus. "It's as if you enjoy being tortured."
"I'm Sirius," came the automatic reply, Sirius barely thinking before making the pun that was so deeply ingrained in him.
"We know," both Remus and Tonks said at the same time, chuckling when they realised their synchronicity. The laughter was brief, though, as Remus sneezed again to the side, "Hh'eishhh!" wincing slightly at the way it pulled on his already sore shoulder.
"There should be a salve in that cabinet," Sirius said, pointing to the one behind Tonks's back.
After Remus finished eating, Tonks took charge, guiding him gently up to bed, the salve in hand, ready to apply it to his aching joints. He winced as he settled down, but the relief of Tonks's care made it easier to relax.
Reaching for one of his clean handkerchiefs, Remus gave his nose a good blow, finally feeling the persistent tickle in his sinuses that had lingered for over a week start to subside.
"Is this the end finally?" he asked hopefully, his voice soft and tired.
Tonks, kneeling beside him, smiled gently. "Yeah, this is the end, Remus." She applied the salve to his shoulder with careful hands. "You're going to feel much better tomorrow."
As Tonks applied the salve to his aching joints with gentle hands, Remus looked at her, his voice soft and filled with quiet hope. "Can you stay today?" he asked, a touch of vulnerability in his tone.
Tonks smiled warmly, not missing a beat. "Of course," she replied, her voice soothing as she continued to tend to him. There was no hesitation, just the comfort of knowing she wasn't going anywhere.
Once the salve had been applied and Remus was dressed in more comfortable clothes, they both nestled under the covers. Remus snuggled close, pressing his nose gently against Tonks's neck. She seemed to have enjoyed the closeness, her arms wrapping around him instinctively, and Remus found himself perfectly content with the arrangement. The warmth and comfort of being close to her eased the last of his lingering discomfort, and he allowed himself to relax completely in her embrace.
