1 Chaptered: Searching for a Change
Title: Searching for a Change; chapter 10 Official Business
Words: circa 2200 (this chapter)
Rating: PG (this chapter)
Characers/Pairings: Snape/Tonks
Warnings: Started before Deathly Hallows and now totally disregards it!
Author's Notes: Thank you to my beta, the amazing jandjsalmon. All mistakes are mine, not hers.
Long time no update. sorry about that. I should be better and I think, sadly, it's wrapping itself up in about five (or less :() more chapters. Because these two have a mind of their own.
Not to mention in this chapter I wanted Remus to be a big tool... So if you have a massive love for Lupin, do not flame me. You are warned.
Summary: (this chapter) Having Tonks safe, Snape has to go back to her place... to try to figure everything out and not just about the case.
Previous chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Tonks and Snape Apparated into the Apparation Chamber at the Ministry and quickly caught a lift to the Auror's Headquarters. To Snape's surprise, everyone left them alone despite the curious looks they received. It was almost as though there was an invisibility bubble around the pair; no one came within two feet of them even in the lift.
Tonks marched into the Auror's Headquarters like she had never been gone. With her head high, she went to her desk and sat down, shifting through her paperwork. Snape sat down on the desk beside her, ignoring the formality of the headquarters and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Tonks?" A voice questioned in surprise, making Snape twist around in his seat to see a small group of former members of the Order of the Phoenix lead by a very confused Harry Potte. Ron Weasley looked like he was about ready to have a heart attack and Snape wondered how in earth he ever became an Auror in the first place. Shacklebolt was the only one smiling and seemed genuinely happy to see Tonks.
Tonks grinned at them. "Wotcher!" she said her favorite greeting as if thinking she had to convince the group of her authenticity. They all did have a look of skepticism in their eyes as they stared at her. Snape was happy to notice they were ignoring him.
"Is it really you?" Ron asked his voice breaking. Snape shook his head at the lack of composure in the boy's voice.
She rolled her eyes. "Of course it's me. I told you to let Severus here near my things. He found me. Rescued me. And is helping me with the case now."
"He's not an Auror," Harry argued, glaring at Snape who sat still and expressionless.
Tonks shrugged. "Does it matter? He found me. He has to right to see this through."
When Harry opened his mouth to reply, Shacklebolt cut him off firmly. " He did what none of us could, Auror or not " Moving around Harry and the desk, he smiled down at Tonks. "Good to have you back."
Tonks grinned again. "Thank you. I expect you all will fill me in on what I missed when this case is solved?"
"Of course," Shacklebolt agreed, nodding. He turned to Snape. His expression was now completely serious. "Thank you, Snape."
Snape shrugged.
"Did someone move my papers on the Clare's estate?" Tonks piped up again, saving Snape from having to actually answer.
"The only one who has touched your desk was Snape," Ron burst out, obviously loving the fact he could blame Snape for something - anything.
Her face screwed up in thought, Tonks finally shrugged. "It has to be here then."
"Maybe he took it?" Ron accused.
"Weasley, I didn't take anything," Snape snapped, looking down at Tonks' desk and adding, "Though I'm not sure she'd ever have an easy time finding anything in this mess."
"Haha," Tonks said without humor. "You certainly found what you needed in this 'mess.'"
"I did," Snape agreed, catching the curious looks that the Order members exchanged.
"Yes!" Tonks exclaimed into the sudden awkward silence suddenly. She waved paperwork into the air, a satisfied grin on her face. "I found it."
"Good," Snape said coldly. "Now we can go."
"TONKS!" a yelled practically echoed through the offices, making Tonks, Snape, and the Order members all look toward the sound. Remus Lupin was running toward the group. Ignoring everyone else, Remus moved beyond the desk and grabbed Tonks, pulling her into a forced hug. "I'm so glad you're all right!'
When the werewolf finally released Tonks, she backed up, stumbling over the chair in her clumsiness. Jumping to his feet, Snape caught her, pulling her against his chest.
"Tonks, how are you? What happened? Where on earth were you?" Suddenly Remus's eyes darted to Snape who still had his arms around his former girlfriend. "What the hell is he doing here?"
The tension increasing in the air, Snape released her and she moved away slightly, looking uncomfortable. "I'd rather not say where I was just yet. I'll tell you when the time comes, though, I'm sure. Severus is here because he saved me. He has every right to be here, and I want him here." Her words were firm, not leaving room for Remus to argue.
The werewolf suddenly looked defeated, slightly broken by her cold answer. 'I'm glad you're alright," he repeated softly, casting his gaze away from Snape.
She nodded. "I have Severus to thank for that.'
"Of course you do,' her former lover murmured, looking away from her. The look in his eyes made Snape angry. The werewolf was looking at her with a mixture of affection and lust, but he was married to another woman. He had given Tonks up! He didn't have the right to look at her like that! "I'm surprised he found you, though."
"I'm not," Tonks snapped, frowning.
"He came here and went through her things," Potter piped up suddenly, breaking into what felt like a private conversation between old lovers.
"And you let him?" Remus asked, shocked as his eyes turned to look at the group of Order members in surprise.
Potter shrugged. "She told us to."
"I knew Snape would be the only one who could find me," Tonks interrupted, smiling in Snape's direction. He shifted uncomfortably. "And anyway, everyone else was too busy to even look for me."
"Tonks, that's not fair!" Ron exclaimed and Shacklebolt put a hand on his shoulder, nodding at Tonks.
"We had our own Auror duties to complete, Ron. I doubt Tonks would have liked if we had slacked in order to look for her when she had completely faith in Snape."
"I wouldn't. I knew Snape would look for me. He's quite one-track minded."
Shacklebolt smiled. Snape glanced between the two, feeling like there was a novel in what they weren't saying. Snape's eyes rested on Tonks. "Do you have the papers you need?" Lowering his voice he leaned down, "We have motive, but we need proof of Craig being dead and not Leo."
Tonks grinned at him suddenly. "The cemetery is our next stop!"
"WHAT?" Remus exclaimed again. Snape shook his head. What on earth was making Remus so loud today?
"I was just telling Snape how we had to go to the cemetery after we leave," Tonks replied smiling innocently.
"Whatever for?" the werewolf pressed.
"For information on this case."
"But what information would be there?"
Tonks sighed. "I cannot discuss classified information on on-going cases with anyone other than an Auror. And Snape," she added, nodding her head toward Snape sharply.
"Tonks, you just came back and Merlin only knows where you were, don't you deserve a break before you work a case?"
"No. My work is why I went anywhere. I need to take these people down now before they hurt someone else."
"But Tonks, someone else can take the case. Someone else can put these people, whoever they are, away for you. You should take a break."
Tonks stood up, and Snape followed suit, standing beside her. "With all due respect, Remus, you do not have any authority over what I do. I do not have to listen to you. You are neither my boss, nor my boyfriend. While I appreciate you caring, I'm - Severus and I are going to the cemetery. We will solve this case. Together."
Snape placed his hand on the small of her back, intent on guiding her out of the Ministry of Magic. She didn't protest, allowing him to push her slightly. They started to walk away from the group that had formed with the paperwork clutched in Tonks' hand.
"Tonks! Wait," Remus said moving in front of the pair at lightening speed. "Where were you? What did he--" the werewolf's eyes snapped to Snape for a moment before going back to Tonk's face. "do to you?"
"Nothing," Tonks snapped, her eyes clouding over "He's done nothing to me. Only for me. While you were off with your new wife, as you should be, he rescued me. He saved me. That's all he's done."
Remus's mouth opened to reply, but then closed it, shaking his head.
"Can we get past please?" Snape asked coolly from beside her. Remus's eyes moved to glare at him.
"Why are you going anywhere with him?" Remus asked Tonks, still glaring at Snape.
"Haven't you heard a word I said?" Tonks asked, exasperated.
"Yes."
"No, or else you know this. He saved me."
"You could have saved yourself."
"Oh? How would you know that? Were you there? I couldn't have saved myself from the murderers that had me captive! He was there when I needed him and that's more than I can say for you!" Finally she allowed the resentment and pain at how they had parted stir within her, Snape could see the feelings in her eyes. She had lost her temper and this argument could get ugly easily.
"Come on,' Snape muttered, pulling her gently and trying to move around the werewolf.
"He's a murderer!" Remus yelled angrily. "You were 'rescued' from so-called murders by a proven murder!"
Tonks glared at him, angered into silence. "Remus, let us pass," Snape said in a suddenly lethal voice. Tonks was stiff and angry beside him, making him upset. The last thing this woman needed was more trouble. She had been held captive and if he hadn't gotten there when he did, she probably would have died. Pushing the thought that Remus had a point with her taking a break aside, he repeated, "Let us pass."
"She's not going anywhere with you. You're a murderer," Remus spat.
"So are you," Tonks retorted, coming to Snape's defense. "Hell, we all are. You know that!"
Snape didn't allow himself to wonder who she had murdered. Clearly she had killed someone during the war, but Snape never could of it when it had happened. If she continued to want the relationship that she seemed to want now after the case is solved, he made a mental note to ask who. "Can we just go?"
Remus glanced at Tonks' hard face and glaring eyes before he turned to Snape. "I swear to Merlin if you hurt her-"
"If I hurt her, you'll kill me. Fair enough."
Tonks opened her mouth, seething, but Snape placed his hand over it. "Not now." Shooting him a dirty look she nodded slowly.
Remus looked beyond the pair. The other Order members had not followed or tried to stop Tonks from going with Snape, but Snape wasn't sure if the werewolf was looking for backup and just trying to understand why they didn't stop Tonks. After a long moment of silence, Remus finally shrugged and moved to the side, allowing the pair to pass by him.
Tonks and Snape moved past him and headed for the lift at the other end of the headquarters. Again an invisible bubble formed around the pair, people not getting too close to them. They seemed especially caution after the scene. When they reached the sanctuary of the lift Snape turned to Tonks. No one entered the lift with them this time and Tonks was seething still.
Hitting the stop button on the panel beside the door, Snape charmed it so no one could override it without a counter charm. "Tonks," he said softly, turning to her.
"He makes me so mad!" Tonks exclaimed, her eyes moving up to look into Snape's dark ones. "He has no right to act that way. He's not my keeper. He's not boyfriend. He's barely my friend! And the way he spoke to and about you-"
Snape pulled her against him, cutting her off as he pressed his mouth against hers in a passionate kiss. Her angered response to the confrontation had made it impossible for him to fight it. He had to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and pressing herself against him after a moment. When she opened her mouth under his, his tongue slid in to taste her and she moaned.
Pulling away, he looked down at her, surprised that he could make his face expressionless when he had wanted to do that for so long.
"What was that for?" Tonks asked softly, tilting her head to the side.
He shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"Of course not," she whispered, leaning up and gently brushed her mouth against his. "I'm certainly not going to complain."
"Good," Snape said with a tone of forced coldness.
She shook her head, smiling softly. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For what Remus said. He can be… well, he's not always so forgiving."
"No one is," Snape said reasonably, shrugging his shoulders.
"He can be specially unforgiving," Tonks said, slightly argumentative.
Suddenly a smile spread across his face. "Whatever you say, Tonks."
She sighed, leaning against him. "I don't like cemeteries."
"I can go alone," Snape offered.
"That's sweet of you, but no. This is my case. I'll follow it through."
"They deserve to go to jail," Snape said ignoring the irritation at being called "sweet".
"Yes, they do," Tonks agreed, sighing softly. She was relaxing against him, completely trusting.
"What if Remus is right about me?" Snape abruptly asked.
"What?"
"What if the werewolf is right about me?"
"He's not. And he's biased and he needs to learn to let go of grudges from his schooldays."
"That's not all I’ve done-"
"Shut up, Severus," Tonks said just before her mouth ascended on his.
Words: circa 2200 (this chapter)
Rating: PG (this chapter)
Characers/Pairings: Snape/Tonks
Warnings: Started before Deathly Hallows and now totally disregards it!
Author's Notes: Thank you to my beta, the amazing jandjsalmon. All mistakes are mine, not hers.
Long time no update. sorry about that. I should be better and I think, sadly, it's wrapping itself up in about five (or less :() more chapters. Because these two have a mind of their own.
Not to mention in this chapter I wanted Remus to be a big tool... So if you have a massive love for Lupin, do not flame me. You are warned.
Summary: (this chapter) Having Tonks safe, Snape has to go back to her place... to try to figure everything out and not just about the case.
Previous chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Tonks and Snape Apparated into the Apparation Chamber at the Ministry and quickly caught a lift to the Auror's Headquarters. To Snape's surprise, everyone left them alone despite the curious looks they received. It was almost as though there was an invisibility bubble around the pair; no one came within two feet of them even in the lift.
Tonks marched into the Auror's Headquarters like she had never been gone. With her head high, she went to her desk and sat down, shifting through her paperwork. Snape sat down on the desk beside her, ignoring the formality of the headquarters and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Tonks?" A voice questioned in surprise, making Snape twist around in his seat to see a small group of former members of the Order of the Phoenix lead by a very confused Harry Potte. Ron Weasley looked like he was about ready to have a heart attack and Snape wondered how in earth he ever became an Auror in the first place. Shacklebolt was the only one smiling and seemed genuinely happy to see Tonks.
Tonks grinned at them. "Wotcher!" she said her favorite greeting as if thinking she had to convince the group of her authenticity. They all did have a look of skepticism in their eyes as they stared at her. Snape was happy to notice they were ignoring him.
"Is it really you?" Ron asked his voice breaking. Snape shook his head at the lack of composure in the boy's voice.
She rolled her eyes. "Of course it's me. I told you to let Severus here near my things. He found me. Rescued me. And is helping me with the case now."
"He's not an Auror," Harry argued, glaring at Snape who sat still and expressionless.
Tonks shrugged. "Does it matter? He found me. He has to right to see this through."
When Harry opened his mouth to reply, Shacklebolt cut him off firmly. " He did what none of us could, Auror or not " Moving around Harry and the desk, he smiled down at Tonks. "Good to have you back."
Tonks grinned again. "Thank you. I expect you all will fill me in on what I missed when this case is solved?"
"Of course," Shacklebolt agreed, nodding. He turned to Snape. His expression was now completely serious. "Thank you, Snape."
Snape shrugged.
"Did someone move my papers on the Clare's estate?" Tonks piped up again, saving Snape from having to actually answer.
"The only one who has touched your desk was Snape," Ron burst out, obviously loving the fact he could blame Snape for something - anything.
Her face screwed up in thought, Tonks finally shrugged. "It has to be here then."
"Maybe he took it?" Ron accused.
"Weasley, I didn't take anything," Snape snapped, looking down at Tonks' desk and adding, "Though I'm not sure she'd ever have an easy time finding anything in this mess."
"Haha," Tonks said without humor. "You certainly found what you needed in this 'mess.'"
"I did," Snape agreed, catching the curious looks that the Order members exchanged.
"Yes!" Tonks exclaimed into the sudden awkward silence suddenly. She waved paperwork into the air, a satisfied grin on her face. "I found it."
"Good," Snape said coldly. "Now we can go."
"TONKS!" a yelled practically echoed through the offices, making Tonks, Snape, and the Order members all look toward the sound. Remus Lupin was running toward the group. Ignoring everyone else, Remus moved beyond the desk and grabbed Tonks, pulling her into a forced hug. "I'm so glad you're all right!'
When the werewolf finally released Tonks, she backed up, stumbling over the chair in her clumsiness. Jumping to his feet, Snape caught her, pulling her against his chest.
"Tonks, how are you? What happened? Where on earth were you?" Suddenly Remus's eyes darted to Snape who still had his arms around his former girlfriend. "What the hell is he doing here?"
The tension increasing in the air, Snape released her and she moved away slightly, looking uncomfortable. "I'd rather not say where I was just yet. I'll tell you when the time comes, though, I'm sure. Severus is here because he saved me. He has every right to be here, and I want him here." Her words were firm, not leaving room for Remus to argue.
The werewolf suddenly looked defeated, slightly broken by her cold answer. 'I'm glad you're alright," he repeated softly, casting his gaze away from Snape.
She nodded. "I have Severus to thank for that.'
"Of course you do,' her former lover murmured, looking away from her. The look in his eyes made Snape angry. The werewolf was looking at her with a mixture of affection and lust, but he was married to another woman. He had given Tonks up! He didn't have the right to look at her like that! "I'm surprised he found you, though."
"I'm not," Tonks snapped, frowning.
"He came here and went through her things," Potter piped up suddenly, breaking into what felt like a private conversation between old lovers.
"And you let him?" Remus asked, shocked as his eyes turned to look at the group of Order members in surprise.
Potter shrugged. "She told us to."
"I knew Snape would be the only one who could find me," Tonks interrupted, smiling in Snape's direction. He shifted uncomfortably. "And anyway, everyone else was too busy to even look for me."
"Tonks, that's not fair!" Ron exclaimed and Shacklebolt put a hand on his shoulder, nodding at Tonks.
"We had our own Auror duties to complete, Ron. I doubt Tonks would have liked if we had slacked in order to look for her when she had completely faith in Snape."
"I wouldn't. I knew Snape would look for me. He's quite one-track minded."
Shacklebolt smiled. Snape glanced between the two, feeling like there was a novel in what they weren't saying. Snape's eyes rested on Tonks. "Do you have the papers you need?" Lowering his voice he leaned down, "We have motive, but we need proof of Craig being dead and not Leo."
Tonks grinned at him suddenly. "The cemetery is our next stop!"
"WHAT?" Remus exclaimed again. Snape shook his head. What on earth was making Remus so loud today?
"I was just telling Snape how we had to go to the cemetery after we leave," Tonks replied smiling innocently.
"Whatever for?" the werewolf pressed.
"For information on this case."
"But what information would be there?"
Tonks sighed. "I cannot discuss classified information on on-going cases with anyone other than an Auror. And Snape," she added, nodding her head toward Snape sharply.
"Tonks, you just came back and Merlin only knows where you were, don't you deserve a break before you work a case?"
"No. My work is why I went anywhere. I need to take these people down now before they hurt someone else."
"But Tonks, someone else can take the case. Someone else can put these people, whoever they are, away for you. You should take a break."
Tonks stood up, and Snape followed suit, standing beside her. "With all due respect, Remus, you do not have any authority over what I do. I do not have to listen to you. You are neither my boss, nor my boyfriend. While I appreciate you caring, I'm - Severus and I are going to the cemetery. We will solve this case. Together."
Snape placed his hand on the small of her back, intent on guiding her out of the Ministry of Magic. She didn't protest, allowing him to push her slightly. They started to walk away from the group that had formed with the paperwork clutched in Tonks' hand.
"Tonks! Wait," Remus said moving in front of the pair at lightening speed. "Where were you? What did he--" the werewolf's eyes snapped to Snape for a moment before going back to Tonk's face. "do to you?"
"Nothing," Tonks snapped, her eyes clouding over "He's done nothing to me. Only for me. While you were off with your new wife, as you should be, he rescued me. He saved me. That's all he's done."
Remus's mouth opened to reply, but then closed it, shaking his head.
"Can we get past please?" Snape asked coolly from beside her. Remus's eyes moved to glare at him.
"Why are you going anywhere with him?" Remus asked Tonks, still glaring at Snape.
"Haven't you heard a word I said?" Tonks asked, exasperated.
"Yes."
"No, or else you know this. He saved me."
"You could have saved yourself."
"Oh? How would you know that? Were you there? I couldn't have saved myself from the murderers that had me captive! He was there when I needed him and that's more than I can say for you!" Finally she allowed the resentment and pain at how they had parted stir within her, Snape could see the feelings in her eyes. She had lost her temper and this argument could get ugly easily.
"Come on,' Snape muttered, pulling her gently and trying to move around the werewolf.
"He's a murderer!" Remus yelled angrily. "You were 'rescued' from so-called murders by a proven murder!"
Tonks glared at him, angered into silence. "Remus, let us pass," Snape said in a suddenly lethal voice. Tonks was stiff and angry beside him, making him upset. The last thing this woman needed was more trouble. She had been held captive and if he hadn't gotten there when he did, she probably would have died. Pushing the thought that Remus had a point with her taking a break aside, he repeated, "Let us pass."
"She's not going anywhere with you. You're a murderer," Remus spat.
"So are you," Tonks retorted, coming to Snape's defense. "Hell, we all are. You know that!"
Snape didn't allow himself to wonder who she had murdered. Clearly she had killed someone during the war, but Snape never could of it when it had happened. If she continued to want the relationship that she seemed to want now after the case is solved, he made a mental note to ask who. "Can we just go?"
Remus glanced at Tonks' hard face and glaring eyes before he turned to Snape. "I swear to Merlin if you hurt her-"
"If I hurt her, you'll kill me. Fair enough."
Tonks opened her mouth, seething, but Snape placed his hand over it. "Not now." Shooting him a dirty look she nodded slowly.
Remus looked beyond the pair. The other Order members had not followed or tried to stop Tonks from going with Snape, but Snape wasn't sure if the werewolf was looking for backup and just trying to understand why they didn't stop Tonks. After a long moment of silence, Remus finally shrugged and moved to the side, allowing the pair to pass by him.
Tonks and Snape moved past him and headed for the lift at the other end of the headquarters. Again an invisible bubble formed around the pair, people not getting too close to them. They seemed especially caution after the scene. When they reached the sanctuary of the lift Snape turned to Tonks. No one entered the lift with them this time and Tonks was seething still.
Hitting the stop button on the panel beside the door, Snape charmed it so no one could override it without a counter charm. "Tonks," he said softly, turning to her.
"He makes me so mad!" Tonks exclaimed, her eyes moving up to look into Snape's dark ones. "He has no right to act that way. He's not my keeper. He's not boyfriend. He's barely my friend! And the way he spoke to and about you-"
Snape pulled her against him, cutting her off as he pressed his mouth against hers in a passionate kiss. Her angered response to the confrontation had made it impossible for him to fight it. He had to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and pressing herself against him after a moment. When she opened her mouth under his, his tongue slid in to taste her and she moaned.
Pulling away, he looked down at her, surprised that he could make his face expressionless when he had wanted to do that for so long.
"What was that for?" Tonks asked softly, tilting her head to the side.
He shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"Of course not," she whispered, leaning up and gently brushed her mouth against his. "I'm certainly not going to complain."
"Good," Snape said with a tone of forced coldness.
She shook her head, smiling softly. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For what Remus said. He can be… well, he's not always so forgiving."
"No one is," Snape said reasonably, shrugging his shoulders.
"He can be specially unforgiving," Tonks said, slightly argumentative.
Suddenly a smile spread across his face. "Whatever you say, Tonks."
She sighed, leaning against him. "I don't like cemeteries."
"I can go alone," Snape offered.
"That's sweet of you, but no. This is my case. I'll follow it through."
"They deserve to go to jail," Snape said ignoring the irritation at being called "sweet".
"Yes, they do," Tonks agreed, sighing softly. She was relaxing against him, completely trusting.
"What if Remus is right about me?" Snape abruptly asked.
"What?"
"What if the werewolf is right about me?"
"He's not. And he's biased and he needs to learn to let go of grudges from his schooldays."
"That's not all I’ve done-"
"Shut up, Severus," Tonks said just before her mouth ascended on his.