Natural Progression

Natural Progression

Two

Tonks felt quite contented as she watched Harry walk away with his family. He would be ok. Those Muggles were awfully strange though. Very uptight - more like her mother than her father. Although, her mother wasn't quite that uptight.

'Well, I'd best be off,' she said, looking to the others. Then she noticed that one of them was missing. 'Where's Remus?'

No sooner had she asked the question than it was answered for them as Remus returned to the group.

'I've just had word from Dumbledore,' he said calmly. 'We can't go back to Grimmauld Place - for the time being - he needs to make some arrangements and check the protection upon it.'

Tonks' heart sank. No more waking up for breakfast with Remus and her new like minded, if older, friends.

'I'll be heading back to my place then,' she said sadly.

'I'll go with you,' said Remus. 'You're not strong enough to be going alone just yet.

They set off after a reproachful look from Mad Eye and soon found them selves winding their way through the crowded streets of Muggle London.

'Lovely place, isn't it?' Tonks said lightly, as they pushed their way through a group of German tourists who stared openly at Tonks' hair. 'London, I mean. Lovely architecture.'

'Yes,' said Remus in reply. 'Although, I prefer the country - better for my condition.'

Tonks nodded and pushed on through the crowds. Well, she'd succeeded in making him uncomfortable, an excellent start. Why did she care anyway? When had this new found Remus fascination arisen? She couldn't say. She did know, however, that it was making her act very oddly indeed around him.

'This way,' she called to him, and they headed down an alleyway and around into another street.

Finally, they reached her road. Tonks made to take her bag from Remus, but he shook his head with a grin.

'Oh fine,' she said, defeated. She gestured to the house in front of her. 'It's on the first floor.'

They went in through the front door, and immediately upstairs. Tonks unlocked the door, and let out a screech of surprise. Before she could react any further, however, Remus had surged forwards, his wand out.

'Oh,' he sighed and lowered his wand. 'Mrs. Tonks, I'm so sorry, what with Nymphadora's-'

'It's Tonks.'

'What with Nymphadora's screeching, I thought a Death Eater might have managed to get in,' he explained and turned to Tonks. 'You do have all the necessary charms in place don't you?'

'Of course I do,' said Tonks, rather more angrily than she had originally intended, and she snatched her bag from Remus. 'Thanks for your help. I'll see you soon ok?'

Remus looked at her for a moment. She found his gaze uncomfortable because she knew it was very likely that however many disguises she may use, Remus would be able to see through her eyes and understand her. As a friend he had never failed at this, but now she was unwilling to let him succeed.

'I'll be in touch,' he said, and he left, quietly closing the door behind him.

Tonks now focussed her attention on her trespasser of a mother. She was sat in the armchair by the fire with a cup of tea and the Prophet. Her long dark tresses were perfectly neat and she was looking at her daughter with an expression that made Tonks want to bolt straight back out of the door.

'Mr. Lupin seems nice,' she said, and Tonks braced herself for the onslaught. 'He came with me when I packed your bags to tide you over in St. Mungo's.'

'Did he?' Tonks said lightly, and she put her bag down on the sofa. 'That was nice of him.'

'You could do with a boyfriend like that.'

'Oh mum, don't start, I've just got back from the bloody hospital for Christ's sake!'

The truth of it was, Tonks was very aware that she could do with a boyfriend like that. Not just like that either. She did not need her mother reminding her of it, or of previous disastrous relationships.

'Ok dear, calm down,' said Andromeda. 'I made you a cup of tea. Now come and sit down and tell me about work. Tell me about Sirius. Did he feel any pain? I will miss him. We always got on so well. He was disowned too you know. Did you get to know him very well, Nymphadora dear? Did you get on well?'

Before Tonks could properly digest her mother's words she found that she was crying. She had wondered in St. Mungo's whether she had made the right career choice. She didn't think she could handle the pressure of fighting Death Eaters and losing those she loved each day.

And so instead of sitting on the sofa as her mother had asked, Tonks allowed her tears to fall and hugged her mother tightly.