The Story Within the Story: A Tonks and Lupin Spin-off

Mrs Weasley was sat at her kitchen table absentmindedly flicking her wand at the vegetables. The onions and potatoes had now peeled themselves seven times. Fleur sat at the other end wittering on about how beautiful she's going to look at her upcoming wedding to Bill. Mrs Weasley's irritation grew as Fleur started to complain about the difficulty of finding a bridesmaids dress in a colour that didn't clash with Ginny's hair. "Well!" she exploded in a torrent of fury. "You don't have to have her as a bridesmaid, you know!"

"Bill insists," Fleur responded tightly.

"Oh, that's the only reason, is it?!!"

At this moment there was a very timid cough and Tonks stepped gingerly out of the fire place, her eyes red from crying. "That's one girl who isn't getting her beauty sleep," Fleur said snidely. "I'm off to get mine now, good night!" With a flick of her hair she departed. Still glaring at the spot where Fleur had stood, Mrs Weasley enveloped Tonks in a huge hug saying as she did, "What's wrong dear?"

Sobbing again, Tonks started to blurt out the whole story. Fifteen minutes, two cups of tea, and one smashed saucer later, Tonks was still spilling the tales of her heartache. "He started to return the kiss, we moved towards the bed, falling onto it, entwined and I thought I had him, but then he drew back and all I could see in his eyes was anger and despair. He pushed himself upright and looked down at me saying as he did so: 'What did you think you were doing? Haven't I made my feelings quite clear? I thought you understood.'

I said, 'Yes, you were making them perfectly clear. Your lips were talking very persuasively just now.' And I leant up towards him for another kiss. I pulled him back down with me but he pushed me away and I fell off the bed, taking several photo frames from the dresser, with me. It was so embarrassing, he reached down with his hands to help me up, but I just shrugged him off and ran from the room. I ran from the house, too upset to even consider wizarding transport. I've been wandering around by myself all day, getting myself even more into a state. You don't mind me coming here do you? I just couldn't think of anywhere else to go!"

"Of course not dear, you should know by now you're always welcome here. Even if you weren't part of the Order you'd be welcome here. You're as good as family." She reached over to hug Tonks again. Then she got up and made another pot of tea.

"I can help with that," said Tonks, touched by what Mrs Weasley had just said. She stood up quickly, tripped over the chair leg and ended up sprawled ungracefully on the floor at Mrs Weasley's feet.

"No, no dear, it's okay, I can manage," Mrs Weasley replied quickly, helping Tonks to her feet. "Sit back down."

Tonks sat back down wearily, letting out a heavy sigh. "Oh Molly, I just don't know what to do though, I love him so much!"

"I don't know what to say dear, you can't force him into a relationship he's determined he doesn't want. Besides it might not be the best idea, all you'd likely be doing is worrying what with these new orders from Dumbledore he -"

"What new orders from Dumbledore?!" she interjected sharply. "Oh," said Mrs Weasley. "I just presumed you knew. I mean, you've always been such good friends..." She trailed off ominously.

"It's alright," said Tonks. "I know you can't tell me what he's doing; I'm guessing its Order business. So what's the deal with the silver haired frog at the table earlier?"

"That's Fleur Delacour," snorted Mrs Weasley with disdain.

"Oh, the Triwizard candidate with the pretentious name, the one who was so stupid she couldn't beat a fourteen year old?" Tonks enquired nastily.

"Well, it was our Harry," Mrs Weasley beamed with pride for a moment, before continuing. "But yes, that's her. She's getting married," Mrs Weasley said scathingly. "To Bill."

"Oh, um. Commiserations?"

Mrs Weasley laughed out loud. "That does about sum it up dear, thank you."

Tonks giggled weakly, surprising herself. They continued dissing Fleur for a while longer, whilst Mrs Weasley recommenced making the soup.

"I didn't really expect to find you still up at this hour. Is something wrong?" Tonks asked after a while.

Mrs Weasley involuntarily glanced up at the clock; Tonks followed her gaze to see all nine hands pointing to mortal peril. "Arthur's late home from work. He was due back at midnight, I was waiting for him." She was rudely interrupted by three brisk knocks at the door.

"Who's there?" she called out in a nervous voice. "Declare yourself!"

"It is I, Dumbledore, bringing Harry," replied the voice from outside.

Mrs Weasley jumped up and ran to the door, opening it quickly. "Harry, dear! Gracious, Albus, you gave me a fright, you said not to expect you before morning!"

"We were lucky," said Dumbledore, ushering Harry over the threshold. "Slughorn proved much more persuadable than I had expected. Harry's doing, of course. Ah, hello, Nymphadora!"

Tonks looked up to see Harry looking at her. "Hello, Professor," she said. "Wotcher, Harry."

"Hi, Tonks."

"I'd better be off," she said quickly, standing up and pulling her cloak around her shoulders. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy, Molly."

"Please don't leave on my account," said Dumbledore courteously. "I cannot stay, I have urgent matters to discuss with Rufus Scrimgeour."

"No, no, I need to get going," said Tonks, not meeting Dumbledore's eyes. "Night -"

"Dear, why not come to dinner at the weekend, Remus and Mad-Eye are coming -?"

"No, really, Molly ... thanks anyway ... goodnight, everyone." She hurried past Dumbledore and Harry, into the yard; a few paces beyond the doorstep, she turned on the spot and vanished into thin air. Her last thought as she left the Weasley's was: 'Hope I don't end up in Peru!'