This is no time for casual chit chat- well, maybe after I lecture you to death.

[nymphadorauror]

Date: April 9th, 2000
Time: 6:30pm -abouts
Location: Spinner's end
Characters Involved: Tonks, June, Remus and residents at Spinner’s end.
Rating: PG-13 (potty mouth Tonks)
Incomplete

Comments

[nymphadorauror]

Tonks hurriedly entered, glanced around the room with a swift turn, and then returned Remus’ hug- all rather quickly. “I would have been here earlier- had I not a previous arrangement to see to.” She muttered while moving away from Remus and instantly going toward the sitting area. Yet she turned her head to look at Remus as she went. “Oh- supper? I am not interrupting anything, am I? I can wait outside-but insist you make June come out to get me when…… Oof!!” Tonks had wanted to rant about needing to see June, but was caught up on nearly walking into a chair- not paying any mind to where she was walking. Course that was because she had an overbearing desire to snatch June up and shake out information from her. Not because she was mad at her friend, or even wishing to nag or lecture. Tonks wanted details and of course explanations about the events of the other day. Though seeing Remus again after the Gala also kept her distracted, and well two distractions are hard to really balance and take advantage of.

Tonks turned, adjusted herself away from the chair that nearly had her tumble onto her face into the cushion, and then pulled her blue blouse and cardigan down over her torso straight, nervously. Then she went about removing her cloak and folded it over an arm- all because she was anxious, excited, and devilishly curious. A bundle of nerves for Tonks, made her fidgety. Her eyes went back to look at Remus, still wondering if she was interrupting- and thus not choosing a seat to take just yet.

[m4moony]

"Wait out-- You're not interupting. I must have just mistaken the time you had said you'd be here is all."

A touch confused, Remus reached instinctively to catch her as she stumbled, his hand gripping her elbow briefly before she righted herself and turned away from the chair and out of his grasp. He'd have sworn she said sevenish. But, if she'd intended to be there sooner, clearly he'd misunderstood something, yes?

"June? I can go get her. But, please..." He motioned towards the chair nearest her, sensing her anxiety and not understanding its cause. "Have a seat, 'Dora. You are supposed to be here to relax, remember? I'll be right back."

Leaving her there with the hop that she would take his advice and have a seat, Remus left the room and strode brskly across the way to the kitchen where those of the house who had chosen to share the evening meal were just finishing up.

"June? 'Dora's early. She's here in the sitting room and seems quite eager to talk to you for some reason."

[nymphadorauror]

“Ah- well… no, yes.. I mean… I wanted to be here earlier. The original plan was for later.. yes…but… well, I wanted to come earlier.” Tonks stumbled over her words as she shrugged at Remus.

“Yes- relax… right.” She said with a faint sigh and moved to the chair he instructed to sit in with an uneasy glance of her eyes as she watched Remus leave the room. She gently laid her folded cloak on the armrest of the chair and clasped her hands together to calm her fidgety desires. She would wait for June, and try to be as calm and softly spoken as possible. But the curiousness of the situation of June’s disappearing act was begging to control Tonks, and it drove her to lean back into the chair she sat in and draw a few deep breaths. The seconds were ticking by agonisingly slow!

[sightlesswolf]

June was more than happy to get away from the table. Since the awful scene yesterday afternoon, she'd mostly kept to her room, but she'd known she couldn't stay in there forever and she didn't want to. Unlike Remus and Glamis, she rarely chose to be alone when the option existed to be in the company of friends.

But being among her friends and housemates was now, as she'd feared, dreadfully awkward. No one seemed to know what to say to her, nor did she know what to say to them. Her appetite had been gone before she even sat down at the table, so she'd spent most of the meal pushing her food around on her plate, every once in a while reminding herself to put a bite in her mouth.

Tonks's arrival was all the ticket she needed to push her plate away and excuse herself. She hadn't forgotten what Snape had said about Tonks seeming 'excessively distressed' over her apparent disappearance yesterday, and she imagined she knew what the Auror was so eager to talk about, but it had to be better than sitting here any longer.

Thanking Remus quietly, she slipped past him and out to the sitting room. Just inside the doorway she stopped, not sure where in the room the visitor might be.

"Tonks?"

[nymphadorauror]

“June!” Tonks said as she rose from her chair with an affliction of fearless energy. Her quick, and very fierce action, caused her cloak to tumble from the armrest it was placed over and fall to the floor. Tonks did not notice. She was already maneuvering around the chair, practically climbing over it, and moved to close the distance between herself and her dearest friend. Without so much of a hello, Tonks reached around June’s waist and hugged her gently, yet she clung to June as if she hadn’t hugged her in ages.

“June…. Oh, Holy Harpy.” Was all she could mutter as she hugged her friend for a longer length than really necessary. When she reluctantly let go, she slipped her hands down to clasp both of June’s, and released a deep sigh.

“You don’t know how good it is to see you. I want to hug you again, but- I’ll hold out a bit, make sure you can breathe and all that.” Tonks chuckled nervously, and then moved to June’s side to accompany her to a seat of some sort, but didn’t really move to sit- Tonks was preoccupied with looked at June and feeling all of her worry slip away. Yet the persistent nagging of how June escaped was begging to come out of her mouth.

[m4moony]

"Well now, I know who counts around here now," Remus teased gently as he followed June back into the sitting room. "I barely got a brief squeeze and she was asking for you."

Winking mischievously at 'Dora over June's head, he went to settle into the sofa for a conversation. Catching something odd in 'Dora's voice, however, he paused and looked over at the two young women. That was when he 'got it', when he understood why June warranted such a welcome.

"Unless you two would rather a moment alone?" he asked, straightening back up and preparing to retreat to the kitchen until they were ready for his company.

[sightlesswolf]

June tended to expect a warm hug of greeting when it came to Tonks, and she was always more than happy to return it. This time felt different, though. The older girl was tense and she didn't seem to want to let go. Pressing her cheek to fluffy pink hair, she tightened her grip, hoping Tonks could sense the apology in the gesture.

"You can always hug me again," she said with a weak smile, when Tonks had gathered herself and released her. "I'm really sorry, Tonks. I made a right mess of things yesterday." And wasn't that the understatement of the century? "'m sorry you were worried."

Though she'd known Remus was following her from the kitchen, she'd managed to forget he was there, so his voice surprised her. "No, it's all right, Remus, stay," she began, then realized she had no idea what Tonks had in mind for this visit, and therefore was in no position to say that. Tonks might want privacy to chew her out properly. She tilted her head inquiringly at Tonks. "Unless you'd prefer...?"

[nymphadorauror]

Tonks chuckled as she heard Remus speak, while he walked back into the room- but her eyes would never leave June’s, not for all the chocolate or candy in the world. She noticed the smile, faintly over her friend’s lips- and heard her apology. Though it did not register right away, and instead Tonks tugged a bit on June’s hand to finally find a place to sit. Once that action was being executed, her mouth and voice would work- and her mind relayed what had been asked.

“Oh, no… no it's ok… it is definitely ok.” Tonks huffed happily while finally moving her eyes off of June and toward Remus, giving him a reassuring smile. Then back they moved, like magnets attracted to metal, to June’s face again.

“Don’t be sorry June…. It’s ok… I was just… well it doesn’t matter now- here you are, and here I am…and Remus too and… yeah. It’s ok.” It sounded like Tonks was talking to herself more than she was talking to June or Remus. And she was, giving herself more things to think about and concern herself with, instead of feeling the memory of her worry surface, as it had Saturday when she searched for June, or the teasing of her curiosity as it slithered to slip from her lips. And oops. It finally succeeds.
“Do you have an invisibility cloak I don’t know about?”

[sightlesswolf]

June found herself smiling almost against her will as she let herself be tugged over to a chair. Tonks had that effect on people - or at least on her. And if she'd caused her friend worry, at least Tonks seemed prepared to forgive her.

The whole scene yesterday still preyed on her mind. Eventually she'd managed to pull herself together enough to return upstairs to her room, and written a letter to her uncle and cousin letting them know she was safe and there was no reason to worry. She'd done her best to brush the whole thing off as a lack of communication, no big deal; it had been among the more difficult letters she'd ever had to write, actually, but she didn't want to worry them more than they already were. They still didn't like her being out here, and they didn't know the half of what was really going on.

Tonks's unexpected question jolted her out of her subdued thoughts. She frowned slightly, confused; after all, she never considered what she did yesterday 'sneaking out' so it wouldn't cross her mind that someone might. "An invisibility... no. Why?"

[nymphadorauror]

Tonks allowed her hands to release June, so she could take up a seat, and then Tonks herself sat down next to where Remus had attempted to sit- on the sofa. She only sat on the edge, as her body moved to face June directly.

“Well, someone with your unique abilities must have such a cloak- to simply just…..vanish into thin air- well that was my first assumption. But- no, no if you don’t have one, then you really must tell me how you’ve done it. I can be sneaky, but you obviously can disappear quite easier than I can.” Her tone was playfully and obviously curious, but she smiled through her words.

“Wait… maybe you shouldn’t tell me…. Save it for when we are alone so we can better use those talents and sneak out of here another day.” Tonks spoke, now in a hushed tone, and then chuckled. Her eyes gave Remus a teasing glance. “Best not let everyone know your special tricks.”

[sightlesswolf]

It took June another minute to figure out what Tonks was talking about. Then she looked embarrassed. "Tonks, I promise, there weren't any 'talents' involved. I just walked out the front door. It was just chance that nobody was right there to see me go." She tried to smile, though the expression was a little pained. "No tricks, no sneaking. Sorry to disappoint you."

[nymphadorauror]

“Then tell me when exactly did this happen- the precise hour of the day, so that I can log it away for future reference. I want to know when no one is around, so they cannot see me kidnap you!” Tonks teased and then reached over to poke at one of June’s knees.

“You do know I’m just having a bit of fun, right? But I’m dead serious about the kidnapping.” Tonks smirked lightly, playfully, as she glanced between June and Remus.

“Hopefully I’ll be just as talented as you plainly are, and make us vanish right out the door without witnesses.”

[m4moony]

"Kidnapping my packmates, 'Dora?" Remus grinned from where he had taken his seat back on the sofa. "That hardly seems like the proper way to set an example as an upstanding member of the Ministry."

Sitting forward a bit now that the girls seemed to have settled the matter of June's disappearance between them -- a subject he was all too happy to set aside considering the role he had been forced to play over it the day before -- he tweaked 'Dora's violet ponytail playfully. "But, we are supposed to be distracting you from work, not adding to it. Isn't that right, June?"

"That's what I keep telling her," June said wryly, sitting back in her chair and drawing the poked knee up to her chest. "But the idea keeps popping back up. So the next time I'm missing, it'll be all her fault."

She stuck out her tongue at Tonks, recovering a little bit of her usual spirit. "So... distracting, yes. Anyone for a game of Go Fish? I should mention I always win that one."

"Since when have I ever been seen as an upstanding member of the Ministry? Well, perhaps as a pretense when dealing with the boss." Tonks chuckled and made a face at Remus.

"Besides, It's not like I'm actually going to kidnap you.... just borrow, and return later." She smiled at June, and then arched an eyebrow at Remus.

"Oh, I've been distracted alright... I thought that was obvious enough!" Her eyebrows shot up, as she looked between the two of them, knowing they both knew she had been frantic about the issue with June--so much so that it used up a whole day. Mostly because of her own faults, of course, but still!

"Ok, ok....well... I'd rather like to play something that I have a chance to win at. If it's all the same to you." Tonks said to June with a teasing grin.

"Perhaps I should have specified...pleasantly distracted."

Laughing, Remus shook his head. After the tension of the last couple days, a relaxing evening seemed to be exactly what they all needed. He wasn't a morose man by nature. All of the confusion and miscommunications, particularly amoung the housemates, had set him on edge...and them as well, he could imagine. Nor would 'Dora have been immune to the recent "panic".

"The only card games I know all involve betting...an unfortunate side effect of learning to play with James and Sirius, I'm afraid. I could play five different kinds of poker, but know nothing of Go Fish. Not exciting enough."

"You don't need to know how to play. I'd win," June informed him confidently. "All you'd have to know is that the rules say you're not allowed to look at my hand, so when I tell you I don't have any of whatever you're looking for, you have to believe me.

"But all right, that's out. What do you want to do, Tonks? You're the one we're here to distract, right?"

Tonks lowered her head and silently giggled, while glancing between June and Remus with a faint tilt of her head to each of them. First she was amused to learn Remus only knew how to play poker, and then hearing Junes--retort, she had to lower her head to try and subdue the teasing laugh she knew was coming. Then she cleared her throat.

"OH... see... asking me what I want to do will be a distraction in itself... and if I was allowed to do ---we could do something I want to do. Right. June... lets go-- Remus close your eyes... and we'll be off with that kidnapping and what have you!" Tonks snickered, and then shook her head. "I really don't know... I assumed we--would at least have a nice chat."

Shaking his head once more, Remus sighed dramatically.

"Such corruption in the ranks!" He regarded 'Dora with a look that feigned innocence, but could only maintain it for a moment before the light of mischief was back in his eyes.

"A nice chat sounds like a grand idea, though. And I did promise to tell you a couple stories if you came over, didn't I?"

Though she couldn't see Remus' face, she knew the tone of voice well enough; she wasn't the only one being cheered up in spite of herself. Tonks had that effect on people.

"You know, corruption among the underlings is often a sign of a breakdown in leadership, or so I've heard," she put in innocently.

[m4moony]

Tonks gave a look to Remus that suggested she was as appalled Remus would claim 'corruption' as the cause for Tonks' desires to hoist June out of the house. But she allowed herself to grin when she stared further still--at him and noticed he was playing along, maybe. But when June retorted, and Tonks let it loose, the amusement of the entire conversation, she leaned back into the couch and just laughed. It was a very loud one to say the least.

She didn't seem to be able to control her reaction quite well, for her laughter kept breaking up her words. "Breakdown.... in... leadership.... underlings...." She smashed a hand up against her lips as she looked--at Remus with a curious glance. "Tell us.... Remus.." Tonks spoke between parted fingers and a very large grin. "Do you have any stories.... about underlings...that overthrow the leader?" Her eyes squeezed closed as she tried-to stop breaking up with laughter.

Her laughter was infectious and Remus found himself trying to hold back his own in response.

"No, I'm afraid not," he said between suppressed chuckles. "At least none that would make for a pleasant distraction. Most of them involve some sort of dominance battle, a lot of slashing, and generally a not inconsiderable amount of blood. There are reasons why Glamis and I often chose to keep our visits amoung the continental packs short."

The werewolf packs of the European continent were distinctly different in attitude from either those of Remus' mindset or Greyback's renegades. Had it not been for his near fanatic need in those days to not get close to anyone, wizard, witch, or werewolf, he might have found himself in some of those battles. Though he disliked the leadership role when it came to situations such as the previous days confrontation, he was not blind enough to ignore his more Alpha tendencies -- which always seemed more prominent around his 'kind'.

"What it was like to teach basic charms to a group of children raised in an Italian werewolf encampment, yes. Non-violent takeovers by underlings, no."

Ordinarily June might have been overcome with laughter right along with Tonks. As it was, she couldn't help giggling at her friend's mirth.

"Maybe we'll have to start one, then," she offered. "The world's first entirely pacifist corrupt overthrow. You don't mind, do you, Remus?"

Turning herself sideways in her chair, she tucked her feet against the arm. "Or you could just distract us from our insidious plotting. Is the story about the Italian werewolf children any good?"

Tonks rubbed the sides of her face as she calmed herself down enough to hold a decent conversation. Well, as decent as it was, even as they talked about the oddest of topics.

"Well... never mind the distraction..." Tonks began--with a giggle. "Or what kind of distraction will be had with discussions of violent or non-violent overthrows of leadership." She glanced at June, and grinned. "I'd rather not take part in anything that would be deemed pacifistic--"About the Italian werewolf children."

"Not to worry, 'Dora. We won’t involve you in our nefarious plots for pacifistic regimes. "

Chuckling softly and shaking his head at the antics of both young women, Remus shifted to a slightly more comfortable position on the sofa and launched into the tale of teaching Italian werewolf children basic charms.

"There’s a small encampment of werewolves in Tuscany that’s managed to find a way to peacefully coexist with the local wizarding community. But, the children are taught separately until a certain age…"