Phoenix and Fascination

Chapter 4: Mystery and Romance

The retrieval operation went far easier than any of them could have hoped. The Dursley's headed off to their "prize-giving" ceremony just as Tonks had predicted they would. Then, the retrieval squad was able to swoop in, collect Harry, and swoop back out again without attracting any Muggle notice whatsoever. Tonks felt that all in all the operation was a complete success, despite her blunder of breaking a dish in the Dursley's kitchen when Diggle snuck up on her.

Harry had seemed nervous at first, but had cheered up a bit when he recognized his old teacher, Remus Lupin. Tonks had promptly appointed herself to look after Harry, and to make sure he didn't get overwhelmed. She felt that she cheered him considerably while she was helping him pack. He had seemed impressed with both her job as an Auror, and her abilities as a metamorphmagus. And in turn, she had been impressed with his Firebolt broom. On the whole, she felt that they had established a good rapport.

The only things that had really hindered the retrieval mission at all were Moody's infuriating security precautions. He had forced them to circle in the high cold air above the Dursley's for nearly a half hour before declaring it safe to land, had threatened the poor boy with an interrogation under Veritaserum to prove his identity, had chastised the boy for 'unsafe' wand handling, and, as the return flight neared Grimmauld Place, had nearly insisted that they double back to insure they weren't followed. At this, Tonks had finally lost her temper. "ARE YOU MAD, MAD-EYE!" she cried. "We're all frozen to our brooms! If we keep going off course we're not going to get there until next week! We're nearly there now!"

To her delight, Remus came to her rescue. "Time to start the descent!" he called. "Follow Tonks, Harry!"

They dived down to the square in front of headquarters. Soon enough, they were inside, and Tonks felt a comforting wave of heat wash over her. Tonks and Sturgis Podmore walked Harry's trunk and owl cage up to his room as Molly Weasley rushed out to greet him. Then they made their way back downstairs for the meeting of the Order.

As they entered, the meeting was already in progress. Snape was making a report to Dumbledore, and it sounded important.

"The Department of Mysteries?" Dumbledore was asking. "Are you certain?"

"Absolutely, Headmaster," replied Snape. "All his thoughts are turned to it. Even recruiting new followers is no longer a priority to him. All of his planning and plotting is focused entirely on obtaining an item from the Department of Mysteries. He believes that nothing else can move forward until he has possession of it."

"But what item is he looking for? Some kind of weapon?" asked Sirius.

Snape glared at Sirius with the venom that he reserved only for Sirius and Remus, and replied, "Not a weapon--at least, not exactly. He is looking for information. A prophesy, to be more precise."

"The prophesy?" said Dumbledore with a sharp look at Snape.

Snape gave a sharp nod. "He wishes to know its entire contents."

Tonks had no idea what prophecy they were talking about, but noticed Sirius and Remus giving each other a very serious look. They seemed to know something that she didn't--and she was determined to find out.

Dumbledore looked troubled. "We cannot allow him to obtain the prophesy--under any circumstances."

Remus nodded, and said, "We'll have to place a guard at the entrance to the Department of Mysteries. It's the only way to be sure that no Death Eaters will be allowed to enter."

"And the guard must sit day and night," added Moody forcefully. "I will gladly donate my spare invisibility cloak to the task."

"The one you just got finished donating to the task of guarding Harry Potter?" asked Tonks.

Moody glared at her. "The same."

Dumbledore gave Tonks a stern glance, which quelled her urge to make a snide reply. He then spoke, "Thank you for your offer, Alastor. I will gladly accept."

They spent the several more minutes working out a rotating schedule of guard duty for the next two weeks. Dumbledore then heard Moody's brief report of their successful retrieval of Potter. She was outraged when Moody mentioned, "But the whole operation was compromised when Tonks here broke a stack of plates on our way in--damned clumsy nonsense."

"It was just one dish!" she cried indignantly. "And we were about to announce our arrival to Potter anyway! I can't believe you! It's not like we were in any danger ...!"

"I agree with Nymphadora," Remus' quiet voice interrupted her growing tirade. "I think you're being a bit unfair, Alastor."

Moody just huffed, but Tonks' heart lifted just as if she'd been given a big hug. Remus always knew just what to say to make her feel better. She smiled at him gratefully, and he smiled back, with a twinkle in his eye.

"Let us not squabble amongst ourselves," said Dumbledore. "The important thing is, Harry is here, and he is safe. Now let us make sure that he stays that way."

Everyone nodded in assent. Dumbledore finished the meeting by giving out new assignments to spy on the Death Eaters. "Nymphadora," he said at the end of his list of assignments, "I would like you to intensify your surveillance of Lucius Malfoy. If you have the opportunity to search his house, I suggest you take it. You are the only one here who has a direct relationship with a Death Eater--I am counting on you."

Tonks nodded, but felt her heart sinking--the way it did every time she thought of Lucius Malfoy. She couldn't admit to Dumbledore that she had only been doing a half-hearted job of spying on Lucius because she was irrationally terrified of him. And she certainly couldn't admit why she was terrified of him. She would simply have to swallow her fear, and do her job. She couldn't let Dumbledore down.

Soon afterward, the meeting broke up. Tonks followed the crowd upstairs, as everyone filed out the door. She gave Moody's back one final glare as he walked out, and he called back, "I saw that Tonks!"

Once they were all gone, she and Remus attended to the latches and locks securing the door. As they did, he leaned toward her with a warm smile and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I don't care what Alastor thinks," said Remus, "I think you did a wonderful job tonight, Nymphadora. I'd rather have you on my team than old Mad-Eye any day."

Tonks suddenly felt light-headed and giddy. She was extremely conscious of the pressure of his hand on her shoulder, and of the closeness of their bodies.

"Thank you, Remus," she said with a silly smile. He lifted his hand from her shoulder, and they moved away from the door. Then, with a sudden resounding crash, Tonks found herself sprawling foolishly on the ground. She had tripped over that infernal umbrella stand.

"Tonks!" cried Molly in frustration.

"I'm sorry!" wailed Tonks, blushing and determinedly looking away from Remus--she could not believe she looked so foolish in front of him right after he got through complimenting her! "It's that stupid umbrella stand, that's the second time I've tripped over--" but the rest of her words were drowned out by Mrs. Black's echoing shrieks.

Tonks looked up to see Harry Potter standing on the stairs looking down at her. So much for their good rapport--he would think her a clumsy git after this. She kept apologizing as she scrambled to her feet, and strove to right the umbrella stand and scoot it out of the walkway once and for all. She would let Remus and Molly deal with the portraits.

Just then Sirius dashed up, roaring in fury at his mother's portrait. Tonks used the distraction to sneak downstairs. The last thing she wanted was to linger at the site of her latest embarrassment.

Back down in the kitchen, Tonks tried to be helpful as Harry got caught up with his old acquaintances; instead she only managed to knock over a candle on Bill's guard schedule, and to knock a chair to the ground when she went to help Ginny set the table for dinner. Once the clumsiness had begun, it seemed determined to continue. She fixed her eyes resolutely on the table as she set it--she would not look at Remus! She couldn't bear to see his reaction to her clumsiness!

Then suddenly, he was there, taking a light hold of her arm and speaking softly in her ear. "Relax, Nymphadora! You don't have to be so embarrassed--it was an accident. It could have happened to anyone."

She forced herself to look up into his eyes. "But it didn't happen to anyone," she said. "As usual, it happened to me."

"No one really minds you know," he grinned at her. "At least ... I don't." And with that he was off to help Molly with dinner. She stood stock still staring after him, feeling that same giddy smile spreading across her face. Her giddiness continued well into dinner--and in her haze of happiness she readily agreed to do some more silly nose tricks for Ginny and Hermione; they never seemed to tire of those old tricks.

The relaxed atmosphere of dinner, however, did not last. As soon as pudding was cleared away, Sirius turned to Harry and said, "You know, I'm surprised at you. I thought the first thing you'd do when you got here would be to start asking questions about Voldemort."

Tension immediately filled the room.

"I did!" said Harry. "I asked Ron and Hermione but they said we're not allowed in the Order, so--"

"And they're quite right," said Molly. "You're too young." Tonks had never seen Molly look so tense, or so stern.

"Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?" asked Sirius. "Harry's been trapped in that Muggle house for a month. He's got a right to know what's been happen--"

"Hang on!" interrupted George loudly.

"How come Harry gets his questions answered?" said Fred.

Tonks could sense trouble brewing. Sure enough, a full fledged row soon broke out, with Molly insisting that her children and Harry were all too young to be filled in on Order business, and Sirius insisting that Harry had a right to know everything that was going on. On top of that, George, Fred, and the other youngsters were all demanding to be let in on the secrets that they had been sheltered from for the past few weeks. Tonks sat back and let the row rage around her--she knew better than to get involved.

To her surprise, she heard Remus' soft voice breaking through the din. "Personally," he said, "I think it better that Harry gets the facts--not all the facts, Molly, but the general picture--from us, rather than a garbled version from ... others," he finished, giving Fred and George a significant look. Tonks thought his statement sounded perfectly reasonable--but then, she was prejudiced in his favor.

"Well," said Molly, "well ... I can see I'm going to be overruled. I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has got Harry's best interests at heart--"

"He's not your son," said Sirius quietly.

"He's as good as," said Molly. "Who else has he got?"

"He's got me!"

"Yes. The thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it?"

Tonks thought that was a rather low blow--it was hardly Sirius' fault he'd been wrongly imprisoned. Sirius began to rise menacingly from his chair.

Once again, Remus intervened. If anyone could keep the peace this night, it would be Remus. "Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry. Sirius, sit down." Sirius obeyed, but still had a dark look on his face. Remus continued, "I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this. He's old enough to decide for himself."

"I want to know what's been going on," Harry said immediately. Tonks smiled. Remus' good sense once again seemed to be saving the day. Molly continued to grumble, and eventually hauled Ginny away, but the rest of the young people managed to gain leave to stay.

With that out of the way, Sirius and Remus began to explain as much as they could about all that the Order knew, and all that the Order was doing. Hearing it laid out like that, it sounded to Tonks like the Order was accomplishing depressingly little. But she tried to keep her spirits high--the last thing the kids needed now was more discouragement. She was glad that the others, particularly Bill, also kept the discussion as light as possible.

Eventually, Tonks sensed that the conversation was winding its way to a close. "...gathering followers is only one thing he's interested in," Sirius was saying, "he's got other plans too, plans he can put into operation very quietly indeed, and he's concentrating on them at the moment."

"What's he after apart from followers?" asked Harry.

Tonks noticed Sirius and Remus exchange another secretive look before Sirius answered, "Stuff he can only get by stealth." At Harry's puzzled look, Sirius added, "Like a weapon. Something he didn't have last time."

"When he was powerful before?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"Like what kind of weapon? Something worse than the Avada Kedavra--"

Tonks was just as eager for the answer as Harry, but Molly chose that moment to speak up again. "That's enough," she said, crossing her arms furiously. "I want you in bed, now. All of you," she said glaring at her children and their friends.

"You can't boss us--" Fred started.

"Watch me," snarled Molly, trembling and glaring at Sirius. "You've given Harry plenty of information. Any more and you might as well induct him into the Order straightaway."

"Why not?" said Harry. "I'll join, I want to join, I want to fight--"

"No." Tonks was surprised to hear Remus' voice resounding with grave authority. "The Order is comprised only of overage wizards," he said. "Wizards who have left school," he added looking sternly at Fred and George's eager faces. "There are dangers involved of which you can have no idea, any of you ... I think Molly's right, Sirius. We've said enough."

Sirius only half-shrugged in response, and Molly silently led the young people out of the room.

After they were gone, Sirius turned to glare at his old friend. "Harry deserves to know about the prophesy," he said.

Remus answered, "Dumbledore insists that he is not to be told. I don't plan on contradicting him. Do you?"

Sirius just glared.

"You know--Harry's not the only one curious about that prophecy," said Bill Weasley, voicing Tonks' thoughts exactly.

"Right on Bill," added Tonks. "Why do you two seem to know all about this mysterious prophecy, while the rest of us are in the dark?"

Remus sighed, rubbing his forehead with his hand. "I'm sorry, Nymphadora--Bill. Dumbledore has confided the contents of the prophesy only with Sirius and myself, and has sworn us to secrecy. He wants to keep its contents as secure as possible, to reduce the risk of it falling into Death Eater hands. Maybe, at some point, he will share it with the rest of the Order. But today is not that day."

Tonks sighed in resignation. "And I suppose that'll be your final word on the matter, won't it?"

Remus nodded wearily.

Tonks sighed again. "Very well, then. I suppose I'll be heading home now."

"I'll walk you out," said Remus, as she rose to her feet. She bid goodnight to Sirius, Bill, and Arthur who were all still sitting in the kitchen, and walked with Remus up the stairs.

"Will you still be able to come round here and visit a few times a week?" asked Remus.

"Of course I will," she said, her heart pounding faster. "I'm not going to let a little extra Malfoy-watching stand in the way of visiting my friends."

He smiled warmly, and said, "I'm glad. The kids seem so much more comfortable with you than with most of the rest of the Order. I think it helps them feel more included when you're around more often."

Her smile fell a little. Remus didn't seem to realize that it wasn't the kids she stopped by so often to see. But her heart immediately lifted on his next words.

"I'll be doing a day shift guarding the Department of Mysteries on Tuesday--I thought perhaps when you're done with work and I'm done with my shift, we might get a bite of dinner together somewhere?"

Tonks' smile was wider and brighter than it had been in ages. "Brilliant!" she exclaimed. "I know just the place--if you don't mind dining at Muggle establishments?"

"Not at all. My shift ends at six-thirty."

"Then I'll meet you outside the front entrance at six-thirty-five!" she declared.

Remus grinned back at her. "Lovely. Well--goodnight Nymphadora."

"Goodnight, Remus!"

All the tension of the past hour evaporated as she stepped out into the brisk night air, and she couldn't help thinking that it was a very good night indeed.

For Tonks, the next five days could not go fast enough. Every day seemed to drag out longer than the one before it.

She had to stay at work late on Friday, and then spent the evening crouched in a dark booth in a posh restaurant disguised as a rich old matron, striving to eavesdrop on Lucius Malfoy and his friends in the next booth. They spent the whole night talking about the upcoming Quidditch season, and some French witch opera singer whom they all seemed convinced that they could seduce successfully if given the chance. Lucius never changed, did he? What a waste of time. When she finally headed home she was so frustrated and disgusted that not even the beauty of the full moon shining brightly in the clear sky was enough to cheer her up. She stopped by Grimmauld Place, but only Sirius was up, nursing a glass of fire-whiskey. When it became clear that her drunken cousin was going to do nothing to improve her mood, she left.

On Saturday, she spent most of the day tailing the Malfoy family around Diagon Alley on their annual back-to-school shopping trip. Watching Aunt Narcissa fuss over Draco's robes, and Lucius treat him to an expensive new wizard-chess set, and Draco posturing for a group of his pretty classmates was not Tonks' idea of a good day. That afternoon, when she stopped by Grimmauld Place, Remus was once again absent. So instead of relaxing with the object of her affections, she got drawn into a several hours-long struggle dispatching the homicidal ghoul that George had found nesting in one of the upstairs toilets. The young people seemed to consider the experience something of a novel adventure, and Tonks tried to stay as cheerful as she could--but one could only have shards of broken mirror lobbed at them for so long before losing one's temper.

Sunday she spent most of the day sleeping to recover from her tussle with the ghoul. She finally made it over to Grimmauld Place late that afternoon, only to find Remus gone once more. So she played a game of Exploding Snap with Bill and the twins instead--Bill seemed so much easier to get along with now that she wasn't worried about impressing him. After their game was done, she sought out Sirius and asked him point blank, "Where's Remus been the past few days?"

Sirius stared at her for a minute with a smug grin on his face before answering, "He's not been feeling well this weekend."

Tonks frowned at him. "Your best friend is ill, and all you can do is smile? Where's your compassion?"

Sirius only grinned even wider. "Why are you so worried about him, little cousin?"

"Perhaps because I at least don't take pleasure in my friends' suffering," she retorted.

Sirius laughed at her.

Tonks scowled. "You're impossible!" she cried, punching Sirius in the arm and storming away. She had guard duty that night, and couldn't waste her time with Sirius' nonsense any longer.

Later, as she sat on the cold stone floor outside the Department of Mysteries draped in Moody's invisibility cloak, she passed the time by daydreaming about her upcoming date with Remus. Yes--it was really a date! For once, she wasn't just caught up in other one of her silly schoolgirl crushes. This time, it was the real thing: two mature adults mutually interested in getting to know one another better. She hoped his illness wouldn't interfere. Now she just needed something to wear--and coordinating hair--and matching shoes ....

At one point it did occur to her that during this frightening time in which the fate of the whole world may depend upon her actions and the actions of her friends, she really ought to think about something more serious than dressing up for the bloke she fancied. But then, if people ever got too scared and too paranoid to do anything but hide and fight, they might as well turn the world over to You-Know-Who and let him have his way with it, because it just wouldn't be worth living in anymore. So she might as well go on living every day to its fullest--and if that included finding the right sandals to match her red sequined top, than that's what she would do.

She was so tired at work on Monday after staying up all Sunday night that she fell asleep at her desk four times and was forced to endure a sharp reprimand from Scrimgeour about slothfulness on the job. He made her stay late again finishing up reports, and it was after seven o'clock when she finally made her sleepy way to Grimmauld Place. She headed straight down to the kitchen and found Molly and Ginny cleaning up after dinner.

"Tonks, dear!" exclaimed Molly. "You look exhausted!"

"You have no idea, Molly. These all-night guard shifts are going to be the death of us all," replied Tonks, sinking into a chair.

"Arthur barely managed his first night shift on Friday--we're going to have to get some wakefulness potions made up for you lot," said Molly. "Ginny--put together a plate of those leftovers for Tonks."

"Thank you Molly. Ta Ginny. I'm famished," she said digging into the food Ginny set before her.

As Molly continued cleaning up, she casually mentioned, "Remus is back today, Tonks."

Tonks glanced up eagerly. "He is?"

Molly nodded. "He's up in the drawing room, reading."

Tonks tried hard not to act too excited, and nonchalantly answered, "I'll have to pop in and say hello before I go home."

"I think he'd like that," said Molly with a strangely secretive smile.

Tonks paused for a full minute on the top step, taking deep breathes and forcing her face into a big smile--she knew she was being silly, but she couldn't help feeling nervous all over. Finally, she forced herself to stride cheerfully into the drawing room, where she promptly ran into a side table and upset a vase, which shattered noisily on the floor.

"Bugger!" she exclaimed loudly.

Remus was seated across the room in a cozy armchair, with a copious volume in his lap. He looked up in astonishment, and said, "Nymphadora! Are you all right?"

"Fine," she grumbled, pulling out her wand. "Reparo." she flicked her wand at the pile of shards, and watched them leap back into wholeness. Then she carefully placed the repaired vase back on the side-table, and sighed. "Sorry to disturb you--I ... I just thought I'd pop in before heading home for the night," she stammered. This was not going at all like she had hoped.

"You look exhausted. Still tired from your night shift yesterday?" he asked.

"Yes," she sighed.

"Come sit down," he gestured to the sofa next to him. She walked over and gladly sank into its puffy cushions.

"I'll have to speak to Severus about brewing up some wakefulness potions for all the night-shift guards," said Remus.

"Molly was just saying the same thing," she said sinking deeper into her cushions. "So are you feeling better?" she asked.

"What?" He seemed surprised at the question, then regained his composure and stammered, "Oh, yes. Yes. Much better. I just needed a bit of rest--that's all."

"I'm glad." She smiled. "So what are you reading?"

"Shakespeare," he said, patting the large tome.

"Oh--one of the histories is it? Or do you prefer the tragedies?"

He shook his head. "I'm reading one of the comedies, actually. Much Ado about Nothing."

"I've never read that one," she said. "What's it about?"

"About two sets of lovers. The first couple is older, and they are rather jaded about romance. They are tricked into a new love with each other by their well meaning friends. The second couple is young and innocent, and is pulled apart by the nefarious schemes of a jealous villain."

"I didn't know you were a romantic, Remus," Tonks said with a wide smile.

"There are lots of things you don't know about me yet, Nymphadora," he said, grinning back.

On sudden impulse, she looked imploringly into his eyes, and asked, "Remus--will you read it to me?"

"Why not?" he said. "I'll start it over for you."

Tonks put her feet up on the sofa, and lay back in the soft cushions. Much to her delight, Remus gave his own creative descriptions for the settings and actions of each scene, and then proceeded to read in different silly voices for each and every character. She laughed and giggled along with him all the way through the first two acts, before he closed the tome and said, "I think that's enough for tonight. You really need to go home and get some sleep, you know."

"But I want to hear the end," she protested.

"Well, perhaps we'll finish it up after our dinner tomorrow."

"I'd like that."

He walked her to the door, and saw her out with a gentle smile.

When Tonks got home, she sank into her bed and fell swiftly into deep slumber, and sweet dreams.

Tonks paced anxiously outside the front entrance of the Ministry, checking her watch again. It was 6:38, and no sign of Remus. She stalked back over to the large, highly reflective window to her right, and examined her appearance once again. Her tight-fitting, low-cut lavender top with a matching flowing skirt still looked fine. As did her short, spikey blond hair. She was wearing the matching earrings and pendant that her mother had given her three years ago--shaped like little silver lizards. Remus would like that. Her ensemble was completed by her favorite purple-sequined platform sandals (to boost her up to kissing height--just in case). She looked perfect. Or as perfect as she ever did. But where in the world was Remus? She glared at her watch one more time--6:40.

Finally, three minutes later, Remus strolled out the door to meet her. He was wearing the same khaki trousers and old brown jumper that she'd seen him in nearly a dozen times already. She tried not to be disappointed by his lack of "dressing to impress." After all, he didn't have much money for clothes, so he had to make do with what he had--and he'd never been what she would call a snappy dresser, she reminded herself.

"Good evening, Nymphadora," he said with a wide grin, looking her over with a quick flick of his eyes. "Nice shoes."

"Thanks, they're my favorites," she said.

"So where's this restaurant you want to go to?" he asked.

"It's just round the corner--I wouldn't have worn these shoes if it was any further. They may be my favorites, but I'm the first to admit they're no good for long walks," she said.

Remus chuckled. "The price you pay for fashion. Lead the way."

As they walked, she said, "I hope you like curry."

He glanced at her with his sly smile. "I've been know to enjoy a bit of curry from time to time."

After being seated in the restaurant, Tonks realized how much of an understatement he had made when he promptly ordered the hottest and spiciest item on the menu. Even Tonks wasn't that daring.

During the course of their meal, they talked about all sorts of things--from the outlook for the upcoming Quidditch season to the declining quality of the mass-produced potions being sold these days. She told him about some of her more memorable cases when she worked in Magical Law Enforcement, and he told her about some of his grisly adventures during a stint working as a Magical Pest Exterminator. They talked about books and music and experimental spells and everything else under the sun well past the conclusion of their meal. Never in her life had Tonks felt more comfortable, happy, and relaxed on a first date as she did that night with Remus.

Until the waiter came with the bill. Without a second thought, Remus looked up at the man and said, "Could you split that into separate bills for us?"

Tonks froze in mute astonishment as the waiter nodded and walked off. What kind of man would ask a girl out on a date, and then surprise her with a split bill? Probing for more insight, Tonks said, "Oh, don't worry about splitting, Remus. Dinner will be my treat."

Remus shook his head. "No, no, no. I am not so poor that I have to start accepting charity meals from my friends."

At the word "friends," Tonks felt her heart dropping like a stone into the pit of her stomach. "Friends." They were just "friends." This had never been a date at all. It was just two "friends" catching a bite to eat after a long day at work. That was all. That was what he really thought of her--"friends."

Tonks wanted to shrivel up and blow away. She wanted to run and hide. She wanted to beat him over the head with her handbag. Friends! How could he do this to her? She had never felt so miserable and embarrassed in her life.

Tonks didn't notice much of what he said after that; she simply responded in dreary mono-syllables. She quietly paid her part of the bill, as he quietly paid his. And they walked out of the restaurant onto the darkening street in silence.

Remus, still oblivious to her pain, said cheerily, "So would you like to get back to Beatrice and Benedick now? See if their friends' scheming works?"

The play--the one she had so happily listened to the night before--now seemed like unbearable torture. She forced her mouth into a smile, and shook her head. "I think," she started, "I think I'm still worn out from my night shift. It would probably be better if I just head home and get some sleep."

"All right. Some other time then?"

She nodded. "Some other time."

"I'll see you soon, Nymphadora."

"See you soon."

As soon as she got back to her flat, she flung herself down on her bed, and sobbed into her pillow until she finally fell asleep.