War In Shades Of Pink

Chapter 1: Tired But Not Alone

NOTES: I don't own the characters. They're all from the "Harry Potter" series. I just try to fill in the gaps with my own imagination.
English is not my first language, so I apologize for any error or mistake.

The story begins around the time of the formation of the second 'Order of the Phoenix', shortly before Harry Potter arrives at Grimmauld Place. Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks felt an immediate connection from the very start. He made her feel completely welcomed into the Order, even more so than Molly Weasley. The fact that they were almost always assigned missions together brought them closer and began to forge a beautiful friendship between the two. But... was it only friendship?

Tonks arrived at Grimmauld Place just as the pale morning light began creeping over the horizon, the sun rising sluggishly in the distance. The Black family home remained as shrouded in gloom as ever, even during daylight, as if it refused to let in any warmth or brightness. The house had that oppressive air, filled with secrets and memories long buried. She was exhausted. The last mission for the Order had dragged on far longer than anticipated, and the weight of fatigue was pulling her down like lead. But before surrendering to her weariness, she forced herself into the kitchen, a place that always brought her some comfort despite the house's heavy atmosphere.

She leaned against a corner, too tired even to sit. Her eyelids drooped, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep on her feet, balanced precariously.

It was then she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She jolted awake instantly, her Auror instincts kicking in. Her wand was in her hand before she even turned, ready to face whoever had dared to approach her.

"Easy! It's just me." The calm, hoarse voice of Remus Lupin sounded, tinged with exhaustion but also with a hint of amusement. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, though his left arm moved with visible strain.

Tonks lowered her wand and sighed in relief.

"Remus! You gave me a fright!"

Lupin let out a small, tired smile, the same kind and weary expression that was so characteristic of him.

"I can imagine. I must look a fright myself. But believe me, this wasn't one of the worst nights."

Tonks blushed suddenly. She had completely forgotten. The full moon. Last night had been one of Lupin's transformation nights. He was, at that moment, returning from hours of pain and isolation, battling the curse that had plagued him since childhood. How could she have forgotten?

"I'm sorry!" she said hastily, feeling embarrassed. "That's not what I meant... You don't look bad at all."

She knew she was lying. Remus, cloaked in a robe that did little to hide his state, had deep shadows under his eyes, and his hair was tousled, giving him a frailer appearance than usual. She remembered he had raised his arm with difficulty. Still, he laughed softly.

"There's no need to lie, Tonks. But trust me, I've been worse. Last night was actually fairly mild. Bless the potion." His tone softened. "Sorry for startling you."

She smiled back, warmed by the sincerity of his concern.

"You look like you could use a cup of tea and a good long sleep. Actually, you look like I do. I probably look terrible myself."

Without waiting for his response, she moved towards the kitchen, flicking her wand to prepare tea as swiftly and efficiently as possible. Lupin followed her, doing his best not to let his fatigue show. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't help but notice that, tired as she was, Tonks didn't look nearly as terrible as she claimed. In fact, even with that worn-out expression, there was something undeniably endearing about her.

"You're just tired. Nothing more," he said chivalrously.

She shot him a grateful look, unable to suppress a small smile. They placed the two mugs on the kitchen table and sat down on the old sofa, which seemed to call to them like an oasis in the desert.

Remus sighed, adjusting his arm slightly, which Tonks noticed was still sore.

"Did you hurt your arm?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Lupin nodded with a resigned expression.

"I must've twisted it while—" He paused. He didn't like to go into details about what happened during his transformations. "It's nothing serious. It's already better."

Without a word, Tonks moved closer and, with a simple flick of her wand, cast a healing charm on his arm. Remus smiled, grateful as he felt a light relief spread through him.

"Thank you. You're a woman of many talents, Nymphadora Tonks."

She rolled her eyes at the sound of her full name, but she was too exhausted to protest. Instead, she simply sank back into the sofa, feeling the warmth of the tea fend off the exhaustion, if only for a brief moment. The two of them exchanged tired words about the latest news from the Order, their conversation trailing off as the weight of fatigue bore down on them both. Tonks found herself blinking more slowly, her eyes growing heavier.

Lupin noticed when her head began to droop to one side, her hair—currently a soft shade of gold—falling over her shoulder. He didn't have the energy to wake her and suggest she go to bed, much less to carry her to her room. He too could feel himself giving in to the overwhelming fatigue. It wouldn't be the first time he'd fallen asleep on the sofa, and in his current state, he couldn't even muster the strength to care whether it was appropriate.

With a long sigh, Lupin lay down beside her on the sofa. His body demanded rest, immediately. And although he knew it wasn't exactly proper, he lacked the energy to worry about it. He allowed himself to be enveloped by the warmth of Tonks' presence, and soon enough, fatigue claimed him.

Two hours later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the house. Sirius Black, with his usual dishevelled and mischievous air, stepped into the room and took in the scene before him. Tonks and Lupin were fast asleep on the sofa, lying side by side. With a roguish grin, Sirius leaned over them.

"Well, well... what do we have here?"

Sirius' comment was enough to stir Tonks from her sleep. She blinked awake, blushing furiously as she realised the situation she was in. She tried to get up quickly, but she was still so groggy that her movements were clumsy. Remus, on the other hand, took a little longer to wake, blinking dazedly.

"Sirius," Tonks began, her voice thick with sleep, "this isn't what it looks like..."

Sirius chuckled, clearly amused.

"No, of course not. Just two Order members, fast asleep together on a cramped sofa, absolutely innocent."

Before he could continue with his teasing, Molly Weasley entered the room, hands on her hips.

"Sirius Black!" she exclaimed, her tone stern. "Leave them alone. Can't you see they're exhausted?"

Sirius shrugged, still smirking, but stepped back.

"Molly," he said, grinning, "I'm just enjoying the moment. But, since you insist, I suppose I could give them a hand getting to their beds."

Molly gave a firm nod, and Sirius, still smiling, helped Remus to his feet while Molly tended to Tonks, guiding them both gently to their respective rooms.

When they finally collapsed into their beds, the last thought Tonks had before drifting off again was of Lupin's smile and the warmth of his presence beside her. Perhaps, just perhaps, loneliness wasn't the fate for either of them after all.