Spoiler! :
Characters and Universe belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Remus was awakened by a loud crash coming from the front door of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. He grabbed his wand instinctively and hastily buttoning his shirt, he rushed down the steps and into the landing. The shrieks of Mrs. Black were ringing in his ears and causing his head to ache savagely. He heard voices from below, one he recognized as Kingsley’s, the other a woman’s, unfamiliar to him.
He saw a young woman wearing the most shocking shade of purple on her hair apologizing profusely to Kingsley. She was raising her voice above the shouts of Mrs. Black and adding effectively to the din in the house.
“OH LORD! WILL YOU SHUT UP AUNT?” The young witch bellowed and waved her wand furiously in the direction of the portrait. Remus saw the sparks for only a moment before he was thrown off of his feet followed by a loud bang as the witch’s spell exploded on the wall.
“DEAR GOD!” Nymphadora Tonks rushed up the stairs to the man she may have potentially maimed for life. She lifted a few bits of moldy wallpaper and plaster from his head when the man finally opened his eyes.
“He’s alive!” She proclaimed proudly to Kingsley who was looking at her with a face that said that her career as Auror may be ending soon.
Interesting morning. Remus thought as he felt the young witch gently trying to lift him in her arms. He winced as the woman’s wand nearly poked his eye out and coughed a little in protest. She looked down at Remus with a look of concern. Her eyes were a vibrant purple, matching her hair perfectly and Remus felt oddly uncomfortable as her eyes bore down on him. He was suddenly painfully aware that his shirt hadn’t been washed in days, that his hair was singed from this witch’s spell and that a piece of the flowered wallpaper was still stuck to his cheek.
“What in the world is all this noise about?” Sirius was awake as well, looking down at the mess in his front hall with amused eyes.
“Hmm… Nymphadora Tonks, is demolishing my house your idea of a hello after all this time?”
“Wotcher, Sirius!” Tonks said cheerfully. “And don’t call me—“
“And what do you mean by murdering my best friend before breakfast?”
“Oh, he’s not dead!” Tonks insisted. The young woman grabbed Remus’ arm and helped him to his feet.
“Having a good morning, Remus?”
“Quite.” Remus said weakly.
“I’m really very sorry.” The woman smiled at him and he couldn’t help but smile back. “Nymphadora Tonks, Auror, at your service. You can call me Tonks.”
“That’s Auror-in-training Tonks.” Kingsley said. “You nearly killed Remus Lupin.”
“Oh so you’re Remus Lupin!” Tonks said. Remus couldn’t help letting a small laugh escape him. She was so damned excited and cheerful. She was standing in stark contrast to Kingsley, looking grim and shaking his head in disapproval of his new recruit. “Just kidding. I’ve no idea who you are. But it’s nice to meet you.” She held out a hand to him and he shook it warmly. He was struck by how young she seemed, how eager. He guessed that she was probably just a few years out of Hogwarts, completely unaware of how dangerous the fight with Voldemort will be.
“How old is she?” He whispered to Sirius. “She seems far too young to be part of the Order.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. She’s older than she looks. In fact,” Sirius gave him a knowing look. “Don’t let any of Tonks’ looks fool you. She’s a Metamorphmagus.”
“Really? Useful trait.”
“The only reason Kingsley stomachs her being an Auror. She’s a complete klutz. You better fix the breakfast things before she offers to help out or we’ll be left with only shards and burnt toast.”
“I don’t think her unique powers are the only reason Kingsley chose her. She has a tendency to be a little… loud, but she’s eager to help. Besides, that spell she threw lifted me clean off my feet. She’ll surprise us yet, I’m sure.”
Sirius was looking curiously at Remus as he talked about Tonks and suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks and grabbed Remus’ arm.
“You like her.”
“What?” Remus said sharply. “Merlin! She’s far too young! I just met her—are you mad?”
“No. No. Are you mad?” Sirius whispered vehemently. “Good Lord! She’s my baby cousin and you fancy her.”
“She’s hardly a baby anymore, Sirius.” Remus replied.
“There! You see—you do like her!” Sirius gave a bark of laughter. “I’ve known you since you were eleven. I know when you’re crushing. And you’re crushing.” He had a glint of mischievous amusement in his eyes. “…that spell she threw lifted me clean off my feet.” Sirius mocked his earlier words. “Subtle Moony. Real subtle.”
“Shut up, she’ll hear you. And it’s not true.”
“Hmph.” Sirius answered. Remus didn’t quite like the glint in his friend’s eyes.
Tonks did offer to help prepare the breakfast, but after tripping on her own robes as she was levitating the glasses to the table, Sirius finally managed to convince her to sit down. Remus laughed at her embarrassment and only smiled when she threw him a vicious glare. He couldn’t remember Grimmauld Place ever being this cheerful.
Tonks chattered endlessly, amusing them with stories of how she squeezed through the Auror tests. Remus studiously avoided looking at Tonks because he felt Sirius’ eyes on him, but he couldn’t help but turn to her whenever he heard her loud laughter. He caught himself smiling at the jokes she made at her own expense. He felt the weariness lifting from him somewhat just by listening to her laugh.
“You look like a lovesick fool.” Sirius whispered. “I’ll thank you to wipe that look off your face when you’re looking at Tonks.”
“Shut up about it.” Remus answered. “I’m too old for foolish nonsense. You have nothing to worry about. I’m in no danger at all.”
After breakfast, Kingsley and Tonks rose to leave. She offered to help clean up but Remus gently took the stack of plates from her hands, saying that he’ll handle it. Tonks frowned at him, muttering about how he didn’t trust her cleaning skills.
“Tonks, we will need at least a few plates to eat out of. Don’t be so offended.” Sirius quipped. Tonks sent a parting curse Sirius’ way but only managed to explode a cupboard.
“Please take her away before she brings the roof down on all of us.” Sirius grumbled to Kingsley.
Remus walked Tonks and Kingsley to the door, carefully pulling the handle so as not to upset the umbrella stand.
“Well, I hope I see you again, Remus.” Tonks held out a hand to him and she noticed as a shadow crossed his face. He couldn’t help thinking that every time one of the members of the Order walked out of Number 12, there was a great possibility of them never returning.
“Lighten up, man!” Tonks said cheerfully, turning her hair bright pink just to prove the point. “You’re quite dashing when you smile.”
Remus gave a bark of laughter and fished in his coat pockets for something he could give her.
“Chocolate for the road.” He said, handing the bar to her.
She smiled brightly at him as she accepted the sweets. Kingsley raised an eyebrow at them and disappeared into the street.
“I’ll see you.” Tonks repeated and turned to leave, but not before she bumped her shin into the umbrella stand. “Dear Lord! Sorry Remus!”
And above the raucous of Mrs. Black’s shrieks, Remus heard Sirius’ voice, “At least admit you fancy her, Moony.”
“I don’t.” Remus called out firmly.
“You never give me any chocolate.”
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