Summary: LupinTonks, Black, Weasleys, Hermione. Tonks and Lupin work
together to foil a plot to abduct Hermione. What else do they learn
about each other?
Author Notes: Sequel to Bookworms and Half-Moon Dreams, although you don't need to read them to follow the story.. Occurs during Order of the Phoenix at the beginning of the summer. This relies on the physical features of Lupin as presented in the PoA movie. I see Lupin as only 10 years older than Tonks.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to JK Rowling. The story was written for the pleasure of playing with her characters.
THE KNIGHT IN SHABBY ARMOR
Remus Lupin walked quietly to his bedroom at number twelve Grimmauld Place in an effort not to disturb the Weasleys, but hesitated before knocking on the door. He wasn't sure if the occupant would be awake.
Tonks had shown up last night to deliver a report for the Order, but had been too exhausted to make it to her flat, so instead he'd bunked with Sirius so that Tonks could sleep in peace using his room. Obviously she was a very sound sleeper, but he needed to get his clothes so he could see to his assignment on this day.
"Tonks?" Lupin stood outside the door trying to speak quietly, but distinctly, a skill only a teacher at Hogwarts could truly master without a spell. Silence. He opened the door and peeked around. "Tonks? Nymphadora?"
"Don't call me Nymphadora." Lupin heard the words just before a pillow connected with his head.
"How generous. Thank you, Tonks," said Lupin as he entered with the pillow in his hands. He'd had to sneak one from Sirius to use last night because this woman was a pillow hog.
Tonks smiled at him as she sat up in bed and stretched while changing her hair color into a bright lime green. "On second thought, I'm off today. I should get more sleep."
Lupin realized his danger when her eyes got that hungry look. He knew what she wanted, but the Marauder in him compelled him to put the pillow behind his back and dare her. "I doubt you can get it away from me now."
Tonks leapt quickly out of bed and pounced. Her arms were darting around him as he moved away from her, but he felt the bed bump the back of his legs and knew his movements were limited. Lupin soon adjusted his strategy and merely held the pillow above his head.
"How bloody tall are you, anyway?" asked Tonks as she executed vain little jumps to try to snatch it away.
"About a foot taller than you, I'd say," said Lupin. Tonks really looked adorable with her face flushed and that glint in her eye. The jiggling of her perkier body parts didn't detract from the picture, either, he had to admit. Then he saw her move back and scrunch her face.
"Morphing is no fair, Tonks," said Lupin sternly as he pointed a long finger at her while holding the pillow above him with his other hand. He jerked his hand back when she tried to bite him.
"Who was morphing?" said Tonks as she stepped back another pace and then suddenly tackled him. She landed on top of him on the bed, but the pillow was still out of reach. "I was estimating your center of gravity."
Tonks began squirming over Lupin as she reached for the pillow, trying not to get too distracted by the warm body under her. That was her last nice thought about Remus Lupin for the moment. - - - - - - -
Molly Weasley was breathless as she made it up the last flight of steps. She carried a tray filled with Arthur's favorite breakfast just to show him her appreciation. Arthur had been so understanding, so patient, so willing to do anything to help relieve her stress. And the little book she had confiscated from Sirius Black had been put to better use with a properly married couple, anyway. Too bad the man couldn't be more like Remus Lupin. Now there was a real gentleman.
That's when she heard the laughter. Laughter? A woman's laughter? From Lupin's room?
- - - - - - -
Tonks laughter burst forth as she felt the contact of Lupin's hand on her waist as he tried to impede her progress. She bit her lip quickly hoping he had not noticed. Tonks looked down at Lupin and her voice held a warning, "Remus..."
Who knew the man could smile so wickedly? Her laughter bubbled over as he tickled her, although it was the slightest touch that set her off.
Tonks pleaded, "Professor Lupin, remember yourself!"
"Sorry, you bring out the Marauder in me, Tonks." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized how true they were. He stilled his movements and had to swallow as he was struck by their implication. What had he been thinking?
Lupin forgot all about the pillow until Tonks stretched over him in mid- giggle, snatched it from where it lay abandoned and clutched it protectively over her belly as she sat astride him with her back to the door. The next moment she looked at him in surprise when she registered their rather intimate position.
That's when they both heard the contents of the tray smash in the hallway.
Tonks eyes grew wide in horror as she realized the door was wide open.
"Tell me it's not Molly." Her voice was a bare whisper.
Lupin tilted up a bit and craned his neck to peer around Tonks, then merely slumped back on the mattress in defeat. "It's not Molly; it's now the whole lot of them."
"Serious?"
Lupin checked one more time, "Yes, he's there, too, but on the bright side, no Kreacher and no invectives from Mrs. Black."
"Right," said Tonks as she efficiently reached for her wand on the night stand and waved it quickly over her shoulder.
The door shut in the face of their audience and Tonks lost no time scrambling off of Lupin, barely missing harming his manhood, as she muttered, "I've offended the Weasley matriarch. I'm doomed!"
Lupin sat up and said, "Tonks, you're not--"
"Don't you understand? She'll make me eat my own cooking!" wailed Tonks in dismay. "I've got to explain."
Tonks scrambled to the door and poked her head out to find the audience still present. "It's not what you think. I just tackled Remus, you see and--and. I mean it's not like we were really having a tumble in bed!"
At this point Lupin appeared at the door with his clothes over his arm. He gently shoved Tonks behind his back and spoke directly to Molly.
"I apologize, Molly. I don't mean to present a bad example to your sons."
"Remus, I would have expected Sirius to be indiscreet," began Molly and completely missed the scowl Sirius threw her way, "but not you--unless Tonks initiated this--this."
"It's perfectly innocent, Molly, and I'm the one at fault. Tonks stumbled, I found out she was ticklish, and, well, you have to admit that one thing this house could use is more laughter."
"Oh, well, of course, Remus, when you put it that way," Molly smiled and patted Lupin's arm while the twins stared in disbelief and Sirius stood with a slack jaw. The man certainly was smooth.
"Then we better get ready to meet Hermione and her parents," said Lupin. He peered down at the demolished breakfast and said, "Don't worry about the mess. The least we can do is clean it up once we're dressed."
Lupin bowed slightly to Tonks who merely squeaked her thanks as she watched Lupin walk with his normal quiet dignity to Sirius' room.
"I'll just put on some proper clothes now." Tonks closed the door and leaned against it breathing a sigh of relief. Remus Lupin, her knight in shabby armor.
- - - - - - - -
Arthur Weasley raised an eyebrow as he considered the whole incident, then put his arm around Molly and said, "Come along, children, I think breakfast is waiting in the kitchen, right Molly?"
"What just happened? Will someone tell me why--" began Ron.
"Oh, Ron, you wouldn't understand even if I did explain," said Ginny as she shoved her tall, gangly brother in front of her.
"Hey, Mum, if this house needs laughter, can't we tickle Ginny senseless?" asked Fred.
"We're only trying to improve the environment," asserted George.
"Don't you even think it," warned Ginny over her shoulder. Fred and George exchanged a look. There was a challenge at hand. What could their little sister do against the Premier Pranksters?
As if reading their minds, Ginny said, "Have I ever shown you my bat bogey hex?"
Their voices drifted away and Sirius Black was left standing alone over the discarded breakfast. His head swiveled between the doors across from each other in the hallway. "Tonks and Lupin? Lupin and Tonks? No."
Sirius shook his head. He really needed to ask his cousin Andromeda about Tonks. Although he'd visited his young cousin as a youth during summers, he knew little about the woman Tonks had grown to.
But then Sirius looked down at the delicious breakfast that lay on the tray on the floor. He shrugged.
Mm, sausages, thought Snuffles as he enjoyed a hearty breakfast
- - - - - - - - - -
Breakfast proceeded without further incident, excluding the time when Tonks' butter knife slipped on her toast. Once again Lupin came to her rescue and caught the utensil before it could hit Ron in the head. He gave it back to her with a mild smile, but otherwise seemed to be avoiding contact with her.
As they were clearing the breakfast dishes, Sirius finally made an appearance with Alastor Moody in his wake.
"There you are, Tonks. Been looking for you all over," said Mad-Eye with an accusing tone. "All right, you young ones, get out, out. Order business, hurry along."
There was a chorus of dissent from the young Weasleys, but Molly soon had them out the door saying, "Get ready for our trip to Diagon Alley."
As soon as the door was closed, Tonks turned to Mad-Eye. "I completed the report on Death Eater movements and brought it right over, so I spent the night. Why did you need me?"
"Because now is the time for constant vigilance, Tonks," said Mad-Eye firmly.
"What is this about, Mad-Eye? We're supposed to meet Hermione Granger and her parents at Diagon Alley," interjected Lupin.
"I've come across some intelligence suggesting the young witch is a target of certain Death Eaters called Faust and Fester. Snape says they intend to abduct her."
Molly gasped at the news. "Hermione? But, she's just a child. Why would they want--"
"She's the brightest student at Hogwarts and she's muggle born." Lupin nodded as he realized how symbolic their young Miss Granger was.
"Removing her would send a chilling message to other 'mudbloods', wouldn't it?" said Sirius with distaste.
"Do you plan on taking her to a safe house?" asked Tonks.
"This is the safe house," said Arthur. "Hermione has stayed at the Burrow with us before. I'm sure her parents would trust us to keep her safely with us at Order headquarters. We'll have to explain to her parents--"
"Dumbledore took care of that," said Mad-Eye. "But we need to catch the Death Eaters who are after her or she'll have no peace when she goes to back to school. That's why I was looking for you, Tonks. You and Lupin can provide surveillance while we wait for the Faust and Fester to make their move."
"Wait. You intend to use that innocent young girl as bait!" said Molly in outrage. "No, I won't have it. Arthur and I will collect her and bring her right back--"
"And so they'll just wait for their next opportunity to snatch her away," said Mad-Eye. "Faust and Fester will be off their guard right at the moment. If we get them now, the other Death Eaters will see it's not a good idea to go after Miss Granger or any of the other muggle-born students at Hogwarts."
The adults fell silent as the gravity of the situation registered. Mad-Eye looked around and nodded. "Remus, Tonks and I will be the apex of the surveillance triangle. We want everyone to act normally, so no word to the young ones about this. And let them venture on their own like you normally would."
Molly seemed about to say something, but Arthur's hand on her shoulder kept her quiet. "Let's go get the children. We need to leave soon."
Sirius spoke up as soon as they left. "You know, Snuffles wouldn't be out of place at Diagon Alley."
"NO!" came the collective voices of Lupin, Tonks and Mad-Eye.
Sirius banged his fists against the table, but said, "Fine. I'll just stay home and chew on the furniture."
"You do that, but leave Remus' room alone. I've grown quite fond of it," said Tonks. Then she turned to Lupin and asked, "Do you remember your surveillance training, Remus?"
Lupin's voice was quiet, but steely as he said, "You know what they say. Once an auror, always an auror."
TBC
Author note: This should be a "real" but short story if I can get the plot line right. Three chapters, I think. Other authors have suggested that Lupin might have had some auror training (how did he learn to defend against the dark arts so well?) and that will be incorporated as part of the story. Hope it's not too slow... Thanks for reading. I expect to update every three days-or sooner if I can, so this should be done in about a week.
Author Notes: Sequel to Bookworms and Half-Moon Dreams, although you don't need to read them to follow the story.. Occurs during Order of the Phoenix at the beginning of the summer. This relies on the physical features of Lupin as presented in the PoA movie. I see Lupin as only 10 years older than Tonks.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to JK Rowling. The story was written for the pleasure of playing with her characters.
THE KNIGHT IN SHABBY ARMOR
Remus Lupin walked quietly to his bedroom at number twelve Grimmauld Place in an effort not to disturb the Weasleys, but hesitated before knocking on the door. He wasn't sure if the occupant would be awake.
Tonks had shown up last night to deliver a report for the Order, but had been too exhausted to make it to her flat, so instead he'd bunked with Sirius so that Tonks could sleep in peace using his room. Obviously she was a very sound sleeper, but he needed to get his clothes so he could see to his assignment on this day.
"Tonks?" Lupin stood outside the door trying to speak quietly, but distinctly, a skill only a teacher at Hogwarts could truly master without a spell. Silence. He opened the door and peeked around. "Tonks? Nymphadora?"
"Don't call me Nymphadora." Lupin heard the words just before a pillow connected with his head.
"How generous. Thank you, Tonks," said Lupin as he entered with the pillow in his hands. He'd had to sneak one from Sirius to use last night because this woman was a pillow hog.
Tonks smiled at him as she sat up in bed and stretched while changing her hair color into a bright lime green. "On second thought, I'm off today. I should get more sleep."
Lupin realized his danger when her eyes got that hungry look. He knew what she wanted, but the Marauder in him compelled him to put the pillow behind his back and dare her. "I doubt you can get it away from me now."
Tonks leapt quickly out of bed and pounced. Her arms were darting around him as he moved away from her, but he felt the bed bump the back of his legs and knew his movements were limited. Lupin soon adjusted his strategy and merely held the pillow above his head.
"How bloody tall are you, anyway?" asked Tonks as she executed vain little jumps to try to snatch it away.
"About a foot taller than you, I'd say," said Lupin. Tonks really looked adorable with her face flushed and that glint in her eye. The jiggling of her perkier body parts didn't detract from the picture, either, he had to admit. Then he saw her move back and scrunch her face.
"Morphing is no fair, Tonks," said Lupin sternly as he pointed a long finger at her while holding the pillow above him with his other hand. He jerked his hand back when she tried to bite him.
"Who was morphing?" said Tonks as she stepped back another pace and then suddenly tackled him. She landed on top of him on the bed, but the pillow was still out of reach. "I was estimating your center of gravity."
Tonks began squirming over Lupin as she reached for the pillow, trying not to get too distracted by the warm body under her. That was her last nice thought about Remus Lupin for the moment. - - - - - - -
Molly Weasley was breathless as she made it up the last flight of steps. She carried a tray filled with Arthur's favorite breakfast just to show him her appreciation. Arthur had been so understanding, so patient, so willing to do anything to help relieve her stress. And the little book she had confiscated from Sirius Black had been put to better use with a properly married couple, anyway. Too bad the man couldn't be more like Remus Lupin. Now there was a real gentleman.
That's when she heard the laughter. Laughter? A woman's laughter? From Lupin's room?
- - - - - - -
Tonks laughter burst forth as she felt the contact of Lupin's hand on her waist as he tried to impede her progress. She bit her lip quickly hoping he had not noticed. Tonks looked down at Lupin and her voice held a warning, "Remus..."
Who knew the man could smile so wickedly? Her laughter bubbled over as he tickled her, although it was the slightest touch that set her off.
Tonks pleaded, "Professor Lupin, remember yourself!"
"Sorry, you bring out the Marauder in me, Tonks." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized how true they were. He stilled his movements and had to swallow as he was struck by their implication. What had he been thinking?
Lupin forgot all about the pillow until Tonks stretched over him in mid- giggle, snatched it from where it lay abandoned and clutched it protectively over her belly as she sat astride him with her back to the door. The next moment she looked at him in surprise when she registered their rather intimate position.
That's when they both heard the contents of the tray smash in the hallway.
Tonks eyes grew wide in horror as she realized the door was wide open.
"Tell me it's not Molly." Her voice was a bare whisper.
Lupin tilted up a bit and craned his neck to peer around Tonks, then merely slumped back on the mattress in defeat. "It's not Molly; it's now the whole lot of them."
"Serious?"
Lupin checked one more time, "Yes, he's there, too, but on the bright side, no Kreacher and no invectives from Mrs. Black."
"Right," said Tonks as she efficiently reached for her wand on the night stand and waved it quickly over her shoulder.
The door shut in the face of their audience and Tonks lost no time scrambling off of Lupin, barely missing harming his manhood, as she muttered, "I've offended the Weasley matriarch. I'm doomed!"
Lupin sat up and said, "Tonks, you're not--"
"Don't you understand? She'll make me eat my own cooking!" wailed Tonks in dismay. "I've got to explain."
Tonks scrambled to the door and poked her head out to find the audience still present. "It's not what you think. I just tackled Remus, you see and--and. I mean it's not like we were really having a tumble in bed!"
At this point Lupin appeared at the door with his clothes over his arm. He gently shoved Tonks behind his back and spoke directly to Molly.
"I apologize, Molly. I don't mean to present a bad example to your sons."
"Remus, I would have expected Sirius to be indiscreet," began Molly and completely missed the scowl Sirius threw her way, "but not you--unless Tonks initiated this--this."
"It's perfectly innocent, Molly, and I'm the one at fault. Tonks stumbled, I found out she was ticklish, and, well, you have to admit that one thing this house could use is more laughter."
"Oh, well, of course, Remus, when you put it that way," Molly smiled and patted Lupin's arm while the twins stared in disbelief and Sirius stood with a slack jaw. The man certainly was smooth.
"Then we better get ready to meet Hermione and her parents," said Lupin. He peered down at the demolished breakfast and said, "Don't worry about the mess. The least we can do is clean it up once we're dressed."
Lupin bowed slightly to Tonks who merely squeaked her thanks as she watched Lupin walk with his normal quiet dignity to Sirius' room.
"I'll just put on some proper clothes now." Tonks closed the door and leaned against it breathing a sigh of relief. Remus Lupin, her knight in shabby armor.
- - - - - - - -
Arthur Weasley raised an eyebrow as he considered the whole incident, then put his arm around Molly and said, "Come along, children, I think breakfast is waiting in the kitchen, right Molly?"
"What just happened? Will someone tell me why--" began Ron.
"Oh, Ron, you wouldn't understand even if I did explain," said Ginny as she shoved her tall, gangly brother in front of her.
"Hey, Mum, if this house needs laughter, can't we tickle Ginny senseless?" asked Fred.
"We're only trying to improve the environment," asserted George.
"Don't you even think it," warned Ginny over her shoulder. Fred and George exchanged a look. There was a challenge at hand. What could their little sister do against the Premier Pranksters?
As if reading their minds, Ginny said, "Have I ever shown you my bat bogey hex?"
Their voices drifted away and Sirius Black was left standing alone over the discarded breakfast. His head swiveled between the doors across from each other in the hallway. "Tonks and Lupin? Lupin and Tonks? No."
Sirius shook his head. He really needed to ask his cousin Andromeda about Tonks. Although he'd visited his young cousin as a youth during summers, he knew little about the woman Tonks had grown to.
But then Sirius looked down at the delicious breakfast that lay on the tray on the floor. He shrugged.
Mm, sausages, thought Snuffles as he enjoyed a hearty breakfast
- - - - - - - - - -
Breakfast proceeded without further incident, excluding the time when Tonks' butter knife slipped on her toast. Once again Lupin came to her rescue and caught the utensil before it could hit Ron in the head. He gave it back to her with a mild smile, but otherwise seemed to be avoiding contact with her.
As they were clearing the breakfast dishes, Sirius finally made an appearance with Alastor Moody in his wake.
"There you are, Tonks. Been looking for you all over," said Mad-Eye with an accusing tone. "All right, you young ones, get out, out. Order business, hurry along."
There was a chorus of dissent from the young Weasleys, but Molly soon had them out the door saying, "Get ready for our trip to Diagon Alley."
As soon as the door was closed, Tonks turned to Mad-Eye. "I completed the report on Death Eater movements and brought it right over, so I spent the night. Why did you need me?"
"Because now is the time for constant vigilance, Tonks," said Mad-Eye firmly.
"What is this about, Mad-Eye? We're supposed to meet Hermione Granger and her parents at Diagon Alley," interjected Lupin.
"I've come across some intelligence suggesting the young witch is a target of certain Death Eaters called Faust and Fester. Snape says they intend to abduct her."
Molly gasped at the news. "Hermione? But, she's just a child. Why would they want--"
"She's the brightest student at Hogwarts and she's muggle born." Lupin nodded as he realized how symbolic their young Miss Granger was.
"Removing her would send a chilling message to other 'mudbloods', wouldn't it?" said Sirius with distaste.
"Do you plan on taking her to a safe house?" asked Tonks.
"This is the safe house," said Arthur. "Hermione has stayed at the Burrow with us before. I'm sure her parents would trust us to keep her safely with us at Order headquarters. We'll have to explain to her parents--"
"Dumbledore took care of that," said Mad-Eye. "But we need to catch the Death Eaters who are after her or she'll have no peace when she goes to back to school. That's why I was looking for you, Tonks. You and Lupin can provide surveillance while we wait for the Faust and Fester to make their move."
"Wait. You intend to use that innocent young girl as bait!" said Molly in outrage. "No, I won't have it. Arthur and I will collect her and bring her right back--"
"And so they'll just wait for their next opportunity to snatch her away," said Mad-Eye. "Faust and Fester will be off their guard right at the moment. If we get them now, the other Death Eaters will see it's not a good idea to go after Miss Granger or any of the other muggle-born students at Hogwarts."
The adults fell silent as the gravity of the situation registered. Mad-Eye looked around and nodded. "Remus, Tonks and I will be the apex of the surveillance triangle. We want everyone to act normally, so no word to the young ones about this. And let them venture on their own like you normally would."
Molly seemed about to say something, but Arthur's hand on her shoulder kept her quiet. "Let's go get the children. We need to leave soon."
Sirius spoke up as soon as they left. "You know, Snuffles wouldn't be out of place at Diagon Alley."
"NO!" came the collective voices of Lupin, Tonks and Mad-Eye.
Sirius banged his fists against the table, but said, "Fine. I'll just stay home and chew on the furniture."
"You do that, but leave Remus' room alone. I've grown quite fond of it," said Tonks. Then she turned to Lupin and asked, "Do you remember your surveillance training, Remus?"
Lupin's voice was quiet, but steely as he said, "You know what they say. Once an auror, always an auror."
TBC
Author note: This should be a "real" but short story if I can get the plot line right. Three chapters, I think. Other authors have suggested that Lupin might have had some auror training (how did he learn to defend against the dark arts so well?) and that will be incorporated as part of the story. Hope it's not too slow... Thanks for reading. I expect to update every three days-or sooner if I can, so this should be done in about a week.