Arguing

"You think I'm a child."

"No, --"

"No, no. That must be it. There's no other reason." Tonks' eyes flashed dangerously from green to coal. "You think that I'm a child and therefore I am not able to handle myself out there on the field!" Her voice cracked on the final note, from restrained anger.

"Let me explain, Nympha--"

"It's Tonks, Remus. And you would do well to remember that," she added, through gritted teeth.

Remus almost smiled at the thought of her threatening him, a werewolf, but swallowed it. It wouldn't be prudent to give her any more reasons to be annoyed with him. "Fine, Tonks," he said patiently. "If you would kindly let me explain the situation..."

"Don't speak to me like I am your student! I'm a licensed Auror, and just as fully a member of the Order as you are! You had no right to jeopardize the mission like that!" Her hair was slowly becoming darker and darker. That happened when she was spitting mad, he noted.

"Jeopardize the mission?" Remus repeated incredulously. "Tonks, you were about to be cursed to hell and back again!"

"I was handling it!" she replied.

"Right. Handling it. I'm sorry, I didn't realize that being backed up against a wall by five, count them, five Death Eaters was handling it. Did they teach you that method in Auror training?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately regretted it. Usually he kept his cool, but sometimes the sarcasm slipped out.

Tonks' shoulders went back and she cringed a bit, as if his words dealt a physical blow to her. Her eyes and hair were now completely black, swallowing any candlelight in the room that dared to try reflecting off.

"Tonks, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Remus said quickly, hoping to undo the damage.

"No, no. You're right. I wasn't capable." She had gone into her defense mode now. "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm not capable for this job, I guess." She turned to leave.

Remus closed the gap between them, grabbing her shoulder. She stopped but didn't turn.

"Look, Tonks..." he sighed. "I was just worried for you, that's all. I'm sure you would have been able to escape by your own means."

She turned back around. He noticed her eyes had gotten a slight bit lighter.

"I know you can do this job. I know you're competent, more than competent," he continued, gathering courage from her irises. "It was rash of me to do. I'm sorry. I can go and give Dumbledore the report." He let go of her shoulder and moved to pass her.

"Oh, bollocks," he heard her mutter. "Honestly, Remus, you think I'm going to let you take the blame for this yourself? Do you always have to be the gentleman?" She moved in front of him, not letting him pass. "I'll give the report to Dumbledore and I'll tell him what happened." She yawned, and then caught herself. "Maybe tomorrow morning," she added in a small voice. She gave Remus a small smile.

"I'm sure he'll understand. We can both give the report," Remus smiled back. He was aware of the small space between them. He noticed her eyes were now a purple, which still matched her black hair.

"You shouldn't worry though. Honestly Remus, I can usually function properly," she scoffed.

"Sure you can," he joked back. "And I'll always worry about you, don't worry."

She narrowed her eyes at him for a moment, seeming to contemplate something. He grew a little insecure in her gaze, but didn't give himself away. She smiled her big grinning smile that she usually seemed to have when she found something extremely amusing.

"What?" he asked. Her grin grew wider.

"You're too easy to figure out," she said simply.

"What?"

"I said, you're too easy to figure out. I can see right though you." She took on the air of someone who knew too much. "You've taken me on as a little sister and you're just trying to protect me. It's why you always volunteer for the same missions as me."

Remus chuckled.

"See! I figured you out!"

Remus laughed even harder.

"Remus? What's so funny? Can't believe that I could tell?"

"Nymphadora, you are incredibly thick." And before she could complain about the use of her first name, he kissed her.

Well, he thought, at least he won the argument.