A/N: Title subject to change. This story takes place after the battle of Hogwarts. Most of the characters live in this story, so it isn't quite cannon but is based largely in the books and general lore of HP. Tonks and Lupin also do not yet have a child in this story. Rating is for language, sexual content, and general dark themes that pop up here and there. Please enjoy and review!

"I'm so glad you agreed to come! I've been so excited to meet you, shame Lyall isn't here."

Tonks smiled politely, stepping awkwardly around an umbrella stand, doing her best not to fall over and embarrass herself in front of the woman her lover, Remus Lupin, called 'mother'. After a lengthy dinner getting to know each other, Tonks was quite surprised that she didn't feel nervous or uncomfortable around Hope Lupin, a revelation that was even more surprising considering Remus could not be there. The two spent a lot of time discussing Hope's fascination with the wizarding world, her pride in her son, and her deceased husband whom she loved dearly. Now, as Tonks followed closely behind the muggle woman, ascending the stairs of Remus's childhood home, she felt the puzzle pieces of her lover's childhood and personality clicking together.

She'd been surprised to find that the Lupin home was covered in motifs and shrines dedicated to the very thing Remus feared the most: the moon. Everywhere there were paintings of the moon, statues of the goddess Selene, white candles burned down to the very ends, and large moonstone gems. At first Tonks thought maybe his family secretly revered his lycanthropy, but in seeing the tiredness behind Hope's eyes it hit her that this wasn't adoration: this was desperation. A plea and a prayer to the old gods to either remove the curse from their son or help him live through it.

"It wasn't always like this. The house I mean," Hope murmured as she caught Tonks eying one of the many altars.

"I always believed in the gods of old and magic, even before I met Lyall or had Remus. When Remus left home and his father died I felt rather alone, but it brought me back to what I always knew magic and witchcraft to be all those years ago."

Tonks couldn't help but to smile slightly in the dark of the stairwell. Hope was so like Remus, and oddly, so much like herself. For a woman in her twilight years she dressed more like someone in her twenties, clad in torn jeans and a shirt that bore the tiniest bit of midriff. Even her hair was youthful- long, albeit thin, and not the natural white of old age, but a dyed silver that shimmered like starlight against a pitch black root. Tonks had often wondered why someone like bookish, quiet Remus would ever fall for her, but it was evident to her in that moment that he'd grown up with someone like her all along.

"Ah! Here we are!"

The small muggle woman stopped in front of a door that seemed to be humming slightly, spinning on one heel to face Tonks and grinning wildly. Tonks found herself jumping backwards slightly at the sudden motion, caught in the woman's burning amber eyes. Tonks was very familiar with these eyes having seen them a few days once a month, when the full moon was near and the wolf began to take over Remus's conscience. Remus's eyes had always been a honeyed hazel brown, but she always attributed the unnaturally intense yellow that appeared monthly to be a feature of the beast. She'd have never guessed the wolfish glint in his eyes truly belonged to his mother.

"I dreamed of the day Remus would bring someone home so I could embarrass him with all his old pictures and playthings. This is his old bedroom. Why don't you take a peak inside and see what you find, hmm?"

Hope let the door swing open and there inside was the teenage Lupin's bedroom, magically preserved for all time. Everything was neatly in place: the bed perfectly made, a bedside clock ticking beside a picture of four muddy boys, all clad in red and yellow robes and holding brooms. The closet door was still open, old, shabby sweaters and jeans neatly hanging on their perspective hangers. Underneath sat three large boxes:

One held books. Everything from "Muggle Magic and You!: A Guide to Pagan 'Witchcraft'" to "Hogwarts, A History" to "Crime and Punishment". Tonks took a moment to dig through the books, pulling up several titles until she realized that there was an extension charm placed on the box, and that Remus's collection was likely more extensive than she cared to look through.

"Remus loved to read," Hope cooed from her place at the door, "We have an old apple tree out back. On cool days when the apples were ripe he used to climb onto the strongest limbs with whatever he was reading and eat straight from the branches. He was a sweet boy though, always made sure he left enough for me to make my tarts and pies."

Tonks moved on to the second box, which held more magically-themed objects. There was old Hogwarts wear, spell-o tape, a wand cleaning kit, and to Tonks's great surprise-

"A remembrall?" She gasped, picking up the little crystal ball and frowning when it immediately filled with red smoke.

"Remus was always very well organized, but a tad bit forgetful. He grew out of it but, when the moon came..."

"Yeah... he still tends to be a bit out of sorts for a few days after."

Tonks shook the thought from her head and moved on to the final box, grinning at sight of several dozen old records, neatly filed by name in a way that screamed "Remus".

"He still has his old player in here, just there by the bedside. You should play something of his! It's been ages since I've heard his old music playing."

Tonks thumbed through the record collection eagerly, head spinning with excitement as she made mental notes of all the names she recognized.

"This is all the good stuff! Muggle rock bands and funk music and- MERLIN'S BEARD!"

Tonks pulled up a copy of the Scottish wizarding-rock band "Off By Lyric"'s album "Revolutions".

"You're joking right?! These guys were amazing! They're on their farewell tour now!"

"Remus always did have a little rebel side to him, as evidenced by his friends. Why don't you put it on?"

Tonks walked over to the little record player, reaching out to take off the record that was already on it, but tripping over her shoe laces and causing the player to start instead.

"You ready Moony?"

Tonks's head jerked up from the floor, cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.

"I...I dunno about this... maybe we should-"

"Shh! C'mon Moony do the intro! You're ruining the tape!"

Tonk's brow furrowed. She recognized two of the three voices coming from the recording, even though the nasally tones and cracks indicated they were quite young. One voice was undoubtedly Remus's. The other belonged to a much younger Sirius Black. The third, Tonks surmised, had to belong to either James Potter or Peter Pettigrew.

"A...alright. Hello, this is Moony and the Marauders and we're gonna cover The Beatles, 'Hey Jude'"

Tonks stayed on the floor, jaw quite literally on it as the music started and a voice that was unmistakably Remus's shyly sang through the first few bars of the Muggle hit. As the song went on, Tonks eventually got up, staring at the record player incredulously as Hope Lupin swayed to her son's voice which grew stronger and more assured over time. Finally the ending "nah nahs" faded away and Tonks turned to Hope.

"He. Can. SING?!"

Hope cackled.

"Back in the day the boys fancied themselves little musicians. It never did go anywhere but it certainly did make for an interesting summer. Remus never was confident enough."

Tonks took one last sweep of her lovers old room before bidding Hope good night and apparating back to 12 Grimmauld Place where she and Lupin where temporarily staying. There she found Lupin passed out asleep, likely exhausted from a day running around the Ministry. Tonks did her best to slip out of her clothes and gently slip into bed with him, but with the full moon approaching Remus's senses were just too good and he began to stir.

"Wotcher, Remus."

"Hmm...How was dinner with my mother?" Remus purred, rolling over to kiss Tonks and wrap her in his arms.

"Actually wonderful. She's really something you know."

"Didn't scare you off with all her incense and crystals did she?"

Tonks chuckled, pressing her lips against the werewolf's forehead.

"I thought it was pretty neat. Whatever she's doing is working for her, she looks better than most women her age. Seems like she's in one of her god's favor."

"Hmm."

Remus pulled Tonks closer, lips brushing against hers, warm breath washing over her.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there. Kingsley wants me helping at the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. They're making a new Werewolf registry geared towards wolfish welfare instead of shaming. It's a lot of work and coordinating with the other departments is a living nightmare. Thank goodness I won't have to do this much longer."

"Oh?" Tonks sat up on her elbows, her eyes searching in vain for Remus's in the dark.

"Minerva offered me my old position as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor... I said yes."

"Remus!"

"I know, I know, I should have told you first but-"

He was choked off by a set of arms being thrown around his neck.

"This is wonderful! I'm so happy for you! And that means we'll be working together!"

"I...I'm not sure I understand. I thought you were keeping your job at the auror's office?"

Tonks released Remus, feeling that he was having difficulty breathing under her death grip. She wished in that moment even more desperately that she could see him.

"I am! But after the last year we've had, the Ministry decided to place some of us at Hogwarts. I wasn't sure how I was going to tell you, but now-"

This time it was the metamorphmagus who was silenced by a pair of hungry lips crashing against her own. She felt a pair of rough hands grip her hips as Remus pulled her under him, being careful to settle his weight onto his knees so as not to crush her.

"And here I was worried we'd have to be apart" he purred, lips pressed against her ear, tongue darting out to lap at the sensitive lobe, sending a shiver down Tonks's spine.

"We'll have to be careful, can't have the whole castle listening to you howl all night, ey Moony?"

Remus ground his hips against Tonks's center, eliciting a sharp moan.

"I don't think it's me who'll be howling, Nymphadora."

"SILENCING CHARMS ARE A BLESSING AND YOU SHOULD BLOODY WELL USE THEM!"

Tonks and Lupin both sprang apart as Sirius bellowed from outside the door, both grateful for the darkness around them so neither could see how pink the other was turning.

"Well, there goes the mood. You hungry?"

"Suddenly yes. Let's see what we can find in the kitchen."

The two of them got dressed in proper bed clothes and shuffled down to the kitchen where they found a very tired looking Sirius pouring over a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Moony I love you more than a hormonal teenage girl loves my good looks, but I could genuinely go my whole life without listening to you shagging my cousin."

Sirius's voice carried his usual jovial nonchalant tone, but his brow stayed furrowed and he didn't look up from the paper.

"Whats wrong Snuffles? No funnies today?"

Sirius ignored Tonks, flipping the page and staring into the ink filled pages even more intensely.

"Sirius. What are you looking for?"

The dog animagus let out a long sigh, closing the paper.

"News of the worst. A new uprising, dark mark sightings, death eaters still at large. I know I shouldn't be seeking out darkness but I can't help but feel like all the worst hasnt come to pass yet. I can't believe its over. There's something, someone-"

"Sirius."

Tonks's gripped the older man's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I know you're worried, and you're right. There will always be someone and something else ready to commit atrocities, but this time we'll be ready. If the wizarding world could come together to fight Voldemort you know we can take whatever comes next."

Sirius was quiet for a moment before he spoke in a hoarse whisper.

"I have to protect him."

Tonks shrank away from the admission, staring fiercely into the ground. It had to be hard for Sirius: falsely framed and imprisoned for 12 years, stuck in his hated childhood home for another year, and then stuck in the unknown limbo of the veil for another two years, only plucked from arch just days before the final battle at Hogwarts. He hadn't been well enough to fight but he still went, helping set traps in the castle and working as a last line of defense for the youngest muggleborn students. Frail as he was, he still managed to pull himself into the thick of battle, protecting Lupin from one of Dolohov's curses and dueling Bellatrix Lestrange alongside Molly Weasley after she made a move on Tonks and two of the Weasley children. Harry was beside himself to see his Godfather after all that time, but still, Sirius felt guilty that he wasn't there to protect him. He felt he had a lifetime of Harry's pain and loneliness to make up for.

"You will protect him, Sirius. If the need arises. But for now there's peace, or at least something close to it. Lets try to enjoy it, yeah?" Remus soothed.

Sirius blinked back the tears that had been welling in his eyes and sniffed hard.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right."

At that moment Tonks saw her opening and took it.

"Yeah, lets focus on the good stuff. Like Moony and the Marauders and their stellar cover of 'Hey Jude'!"

Remus's felt his blood run cold as Sirius fell over the table, barking with laughter.

"What do you know?"

It came out sounding more like a statement than a question. Remus had no doubts that his mother likely took glee in sharing everything about her only son.

"I found an old record in you room and...kinda fell on it... Quit laughing Sirius!"

"Oh I'm sorry," The dog snorted, "would you like for Sirius to be serious?"

Tonks rolled her eyes, walking over to her knapsack and pulling out one of the records from Remus's bedroom.

"I found this too. Off By Lyric! You never told me you liked them, these guys are rock legends! They're on their last tour ever, we should go!"

Remus, whom had been turning the album over lovingly in his long fingers jerked back slightly at this.

"No, no no no, it's been too long Tonks. Maybe if I were your age, but I hardly think an old, weather worn wizard like me has any place in the pit."

"Come ooooon Remus! We've all lived lives where 'one last chance' has become our gospel. Lets have a positive one last chance for once! They're coming to London next week, it's not far!"

"Come on, Moony!" Sirius clapped a hand down on Remus's shoulder, doggish grin growing. "She's right. 'Course she is, she has a handsome, witty, Adonis for a cousin, runs in the blood you know? We should all go! We'll get pissy drunk on firewhiskey and punch people! It'll be like old times!"

Remus let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could hardly ever tell Tonks no- the woman had a great many ways of convincing him of things. But when his old friend, who spent far too long as a prisoner, asked for something, it almost always broke him. And Merlin, when the two of them plotted together...

"Alright, alright...Tonks, I'll leave the tickets to you. Just don't give me enough time to change my mind."

"To whimp out you mean," Tonks hissed, returning Sirius's high five as if on cue.

Remus dismissed himself and let the two Black cousins chatter excitedly about their upcoming night out. After all that they had been through, he cherished every smile, every laugh, every high five- even if they sometimes came at his own expense. To Remus, his friends deserved the absolute world, and if he could do anything to give it to them, he would.

xXxXx

"Tonks I can't-"

"Yes you can. You look damn good Remus."

The week before the show passed by in a blur. With the new Hogwarts term fast approaching, both Remus and Tonks had flown in and out of the old Black manor at a breakneck pace. Duties at the Ministry were always calling, the full moon had passed, the house always needed restocking in one thing or another, Hogwarts had begun new teacher briefings at Hogsmede in an effort to bolster security measures and awareness— truly both Order members were absolutely exhausted. In the madness that had ensued over the last seven days they'd hardly seen each other, only stopping to say goodnight or good morning and running off to their next engagement. Even Sirius had been in and out of the house more often than usual, often coming home at odd hours and moving in secret, going so far as to ask Tonks if a fourth ticket to the show could be purchased for a 'friend'.

But that night was theirs to have. A small refuge in the din of responsibility that had consumed them. Tonks took great joy in dressing Remus up, procuring a old brown leather jacket and boots for him to wear and slicking his thinning hair back, a band tee hanging loosely on him. Her own cropped tee, torn jeans, and fishnets were so typical to her style it was like breathing air, although she opted to wear her normally bright pink hair in a fiery orange to encourage Remus to step outside the box.

"Are...are you certain about this Dora? You're going to be there with an old man-"

"Front and center, rocking out, and not giving a shit who cares. I want to go, Remus, and I want to be there with you."

Another protest made its way to Remus's lips but a defiant look from Tonks silenced it.

"We should head there now, Sirius is already there with...well whoever he's with."

Tonks and Lupin made quick work of apparating to the venue: a large arena just outside of London proper where no muggles would come snooping. Remus had to admit he felt excitement building up as he walked into the building, witches and wizards of varying ages clad in black leather, queuing up to buy beer and merchandise at the many booths lining the atrium.

"Go get us some drinks! I'll fight my way to a spot! They've got anti-apparition spells up, otherwise I'd just pop up center stage."

Tonks gave Remus a wink before turning heel and running toward the gates.

"Wait, how will I find you?"

Tonks turned her head to face him, still running towards the gates but flashing her hair different neon colors. She was a beacon in a sea of black.

Remus found a line selling firewhiskey and settled in for what would undoubtedly be a long wait. A few people ahead of him he noticed a couple, already rather tipsy, falling all over each other. Even from the back the pair looked good together, both tall and dressed in leather like everyone else. The woman caught Remus's eye, much to his own guilt. He couldn't see her face but the short, corseted dress she wore showed off her ample curves, her hair falling in a long, straight, midnight black sheet. The very way she stood commanded attention, despite her drunkenly stumbling as the line moved forward, clutching her long, manicured fingers around her partner's arm.

Before long, the couple purchased their drinks, Remus trying desperately to get a peak of their faces, but his view was obscured by the many milling show attendees. Once he secured whiskey for himself and his own date, he passed through the gates, searching the crowd for his young partner.

It didn't take long for him to spot the Hufflepuff, her hair in mid transition from bright yellow to acid green. Somehow she managed to fight her way through the mass of eager fans to a spot directly under the lead mic.

"Here I thought you left me!" Tonks shouted over the buzz of the crowd as Remus sidestepped and apologized his way to her, grateful that he hadn't slopped all of their overpriced drinks out of their cups by the time he got to her.

"Have you seen Padfoot?"

"WHAT?!"

"Have you seen-"

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"HAVE YOU SEEN-"

Remus abandoned the question when the crowd began all at once to scream, the three members of Off By Lyric walking on stage, strumming out opening chords, tossing thinning, greying hair over their shoulders.

"HOW ARE YOU DOIN' TONIGHT LONDON?!"

The roar grew impossibly louder. Tonks beamed up at Remus who returned the smile, both buzzing with anticipation.

"LET'S DO THIS RIGHT LONDON! 1! 2! 1, 2, 3-"

Remus didn't know when he downed his drink, when he tossed the cup on the ground without a thought, or when the ache in his aging knees left him to allow him to bounce in rhythm with the drums, but all at once he felt the youngest he had in years. There wasn't a single line or lyric that he didn't know, and he didn't care if he missed the notes. He could feel the young boy who spent hours spinning records taking the lead, finally living his dream, made better only by the lively young witch bouncing and screaming along with him.

Song after song passed, and in a blur the first half of the set was over, the members of OBL vowing to return to the screaming audience in twenty minutes.

"More drinks?" Tonk gasped hoarsely, one arm wrapped around Remus, the other wiping sweat from her forehead.

"Definitely drinks. Think we can get back to this spot?"

Tonks answered with a wicked grin.

"Oh they'll have to kill me if they want this spot."

The two walked arm and arm back to the atrium, finding the shortest line to purchase more fire whiskey from, debating whether it would be worth risking missing the beginning of the second half to wait for merch.

"Oi, there's my cousin now!"

Remus and Tonks turned to see Sirius walking up, an arm tossed around a witch neither recognized. At least, a witch Tonks didn't recognize. If she was nice from the back, Remus thought, she was mesmerizing from the front.

If he didn't know better, Remus would have thought she was a missing Black sister. Her skin was pale and somewhat grey, face littered with faint freckles that danced across her nose between her dark, heavy lidded eyes and full lips. Her brows were arched impossibly high, cheekbones and somewhat square jawline sharp- she would've given the impression of haughtiness if not for the small smile dancing across her lips. Truly the only thing marring her beauty was a small, odd scar that ran from one of the peaks of her cupid's bow to just under her nose.

"There you are Sirius!"

"Hey kid. Saw you two down there! Looks like the old man is having a good time!"

The dark haired witched nudged Sirius in the ribs, saying nothing but passing a playful, scolding glance at the animagus.

"Oh, I'm only joking. You look good out there, Moony. Both of you."

Tonks blushed at the wink Sirius gave her, subconsciously wrapping her arm tighter around Lupin.

"Doesn't he look handsome? Took an hour to talk him into a leather jacket. But wait a second, Sirius who's your friend?! Introduce us!"

Sirius didn't have time to answer before a blue haired twenty something shoved Remus out of the way and wrapped an arm around Tonks.

"Hey baby, what are doing with this old sad sack? I saw you shaking that ass out there, why don't you come hang with me and my boys?"

"Fuck off! I'm here with my boyfriend, jackass, now get your goddamn hands off me!"

Tonks gave the punk a hard shove and spat in his face, hand reaching for her wand in case things escalated. Sirius and Remus had already drawn theirs.

"I think you oughta get out of here unless you wanna duel with that 'old sad sack'. He knows a number of hexes that'll take the most experienced healer some time to undo."

The boy looked back and forth between the two older men before tossing his hands up in exasperation.

"Fine. When you get tired of hanging around your chaperones, come find me for a good time."

"Doubtful."

Sirius and Remus kept their wands raised until they were certain he was gone.

"He's right you know," Remus sighed, obviously crestfallen, "I am too old for this. Maybe you should enjoy the rest of the show on your own."

"No."

The look in Tonks's eyes was enough to send a chill down the wolf's spine. Behind them the crowd began roaring again, signaling the beginning of the last half of the act.

"C'mon," She said, grabbing Remus's hand, "Fuck that kid, let's go."

The four of them fought their way back to the front and center of the stage just in time for the band to begin their first song. This time Tonks faced Remus, arms up in the air, hips shaking, eyes never leaving his. Her body told the story she couldn't say with her mouth: she was his. No one else's. Regardless of age or wealth or danger, he was what she wanted.

Once again the songs sped by, each one bringing Tonks and Remus's bodies closer together until they were pressed together, the crowd sealing them in. All at once they were kissing. Remus felt rather silly- like a horny teenager snogging his girlfriend at a show- but he didn't care. Everything about Tonks made Remus feel young again.

"Look at these folks here! Give my man a hand for bagging the hottest broad in the room, mates!"

The crowd around them screamed and hollered, encouraging them. Remus tried to pull away, face pink with embarrassment, but Tonks grabbed him and crushed her lips against his again.

"This man's been singing along all night, ladies and gents! Lets have him on stage!"

"Oh no-"

The crowd parted and created a path for Remus to the stage. He looked back, nervously, and was greeted by the grins of his two friends and the quiet smile of the mystery woman. Taking a breath he walked on stage, head swimming in disbelief as one of his childhood heroes clapped him on the back and shook his hand.

"What's your name sir?"

"Re- err...Moony."

"GIVE MOONY A HAND EVERYBODY!"

Screams answered the call. Remus felt himself growing warmer.

"Alright Moony, put your lips on the mic here! I know you know this one! ARE YOU READY LONDON?!"

The first bars started. Remus's ears were greeted by a familiar, bright staccato guitar riff. He felt himself start to sweat, but as he looked into the crowd his eyes locked with his lover's and he felt courage flood him as if he'd just taken a shot of firewhiskey.

Remus sang along quietly into the mic so he could barely be heard over the lead vocalist, but before long he found himself singing more confidently.

"Well how's your view of things today?

Got up young to fade away.

The sinners sin but aren't aware,

Our fables take us everywhere-

I... can't... keep... up with you...

I... can't. keep. up."

Tonks grabbed the mystery girl's hand and dragged her away from Sirius, causing the woman to erupt into a fit of shy giggles. Both women wound around each other, bodies moving along to quick pace of the song.

Remus watched from the stage, feeling as he sang along that he was singing to Tonks- no- about Tonks. A woman he had no business being with but still loved dearly. The only person that could not only drag him out to a place like this, but make him feel like he belonged there.

"You... are creating all the bubbles at night

I'm... chasing round trying to pop them all the time

We... don't need to trust a single word they say

You... are creating all the bubbles at play"

Again, Tonks's eye's locked with Remus's, but this time there was something else there: a danger. A mischievous glint. A promise to drag Remus into her manic pixie dream girl waters and drown him in it. Somehow he couldn't think of a sweeter death.

"There's a girl, there's a girl

There's a girl, there's a girl

And she's down by the river...

In her own creepy world

There's a girl, there's a girl

And she's down by the river...

It's time to consider...

That baby is a sinner...

She'll wash away your sins

She'll wash away your sins

She'll wash away your sins and go home"

The rest of the song passed in a haze of colored lights and screaming. Remus was thoroughly convinced that he was living in a dream, only jolted back to reality when his girlfriend threw herself at him.

"I know its selfish," she purred, trying her hardest to be heard but also stay confidential, "but I honestly can't wait to get out of here."

Remus felt the heat in his face shift down to the inside of his thighs, heart beating inside his ears. The situation was not helped by Tonks's spending the rest of the night with her ass firmly pressed against his beltline, hips swiveling against his, occasionally throwing wonton glances over her shoulder, the sweat dripping from her face into her cleavage only making Remus's already sore throat more dry.

xXxXx

"Can't believe you actually got up there, Moony. James would've been damn proud."

"Yes...I suppose he would be, wouldn't he? Nice of them to give us some free merchandise, too. Signed and everything!"

Remus and Sirius turned their tees over in there hands as they left the venue, trying to find a suitable spot to apparate back to Grimmauld place.

"Is your friend coming along with us, Sirius?"

The mystery witch had been tagging along with them the entire night, and even then was right behind Sirius and Remus.

"Ahh, actually, thats a good question. Did you want to come along, kitten?"

The woman's face flushed a pretty pink as she nodded so slightly it was nearly undetectable.

"Well that's that decided. Remember, silencing charms are your friend!"

With that, Sirius reached out for the woman's hand and apparated away with a small 'pop', leaving Remus and Tonks alone.

"Ready?"

Tonks shuddered, Remus's voice made huskier by how hoarse he was. She nodded, taking his hand and apparating with him.

Remus apparated them straight into their shared bedroom, wasting no time in locking the door and casting silencing charms. He could see Tonks sipping a contraceptive potion out of the corner of his eye.

In a flash he was on her, one hand on her back pulling her against her, the other winding its way through her hair, deepening their kiss and he slid his tongue across her bottom lip, waiting for her to grant access for him to explore. She relented, letting him back her into the bed, sitting down when her knees hit the end of the mattress, reaching up to push the jacket off of the wolf's shoulders.

Remus pulled Tonks's shirt over her head, growling upon seeing she wore nothing underneath it. He kissed a rough path from her lips across her neck, pausing to nip at all the sensitive spots on her neck, earning him a little gasp from the young witch. He continued lower, taking a rosy nipple into his mouth and suckling gently, fingers mocking the actions of his tongue on the the other.

Tonks was a mess at this point, gasping and clawing at Remus's back, hips arching up into his, core burning with intense need.

"Remus please...not tonight... don't tease me.. I need-"

Remus came up for air, making quick work of the rest of her clothes and his. He sat Tonks comfortably in the edge of the bed and lined his length up with her slick entrance. He hesitated for a moment. It had been some time between the end of the war and all the time spent as ships in the night while running back and forth to the Ministry and Hogwarts. Even after the night they'd just had, he couldn't be sure.

"Remus... I'm yours."

That was all it took for Remus to sink himself in side of her.

It was quick- rough and desperate. The climax left them both passed out on top of each other, panting. It wasn't ideal, but for the time being it was what they both needed. In the dark of the old manor they curled together, holding each other until they both fell asleep.

In the morning, Tonks got up to cook for the boys, humming the song Remus got to sing the night before, albeit a bit painfully since her throat was still raw from shouting all night.

'And not just from the show', She thought to herself, a dirty smile winding its way across her lips.

The floor board upstairs creaked loudly and Tonks cringed before remembering that together she and Remus had finally removed the screaming portrait of Walburga. She poked her head out of the kitchen to see the dark eyed witch attempting to slip out of the house.

"Hey there! You don't have to leave you know! There's plenty for breakfast!"

The witch said nothing, but turned her head, one eye visible from under her cloak of raven hair. Again, she didn't speak, but the skin around her eyes crinkled in a clear smile. She turned again and left the house, leaving Tonks to feel that she had just received the most bizarre and yet strangely polite turn down of her life.

It didn't take long for the boys to come downstairs after the smell of bacon began wafting throughout the house.

"Your lady left you know. Did the walk of shame this morning. You could have at least leant her a tee shirt."

Sirius shrugged, shoveling eggs into his mouth and barely chewing before chasing them down with coffee.

"We didn't even get her name, Sirius. Been a long time since I've seen you with a woman. I was beginning to wonder."

This earned Remus a piece of toast being thrown at him.

"So nosy aren't you? All in due time, I promise. But why talk about that when we can talk about something much more interesting?"

Tonks and Remus shared a glance before wearily turning back to Sirius.

"Oh?"

Sirius leaned back in his seat, kicking his feet back onto the table and resting his head in his interlocked fingers.

"What would you say if I told you you were looking at Hogwarts's newest assistant professor?"

A/N: If you're curious, "Off By Lyric" is an anagram for "Biffy Clyro", the real band who performs "Bubbles", the song referenced here.

Thank you again for reading, its been such an incredibly long time since I've written anything. Reviews are greatly appreciated, even if they're short! I'd love to do some prompt/fluff chapters in this if people have suggestions!