Dysfunctional

36 - Parties and Pranks

Tuesday, December 3

"So, you're leaving?"

"Yes," said Catherine as she sipped her warm butterbeer amidst the lazy afternoon crowd in the Three Broomsticks. "Robards says there's not going to be any more need of us trainees stationed here. Personally, I think the Minister is not interested in having Dumbledore followed anymore. What would have caused him to change that opinion, you reckon?"

Oh, Tonks had a very good idea what, or rather who, had happened - Harry. But she played nonchalant as she answered, "No idea. It'll be boring around here without you, though. Dawlish and Savage have no sense of humour."

"Proudfoot is nice," said Catherine.

"Maybe. When he's not hitting on me."

"He's a good-looking bloke. I'm surprised you're not interested."

"Come off it!" said Tonks, scoffing. "I have better taste in men than him."

"He's practically Prince Charming!" exclaimed Catherine. "Either you're secretly into very bad boys or you already have someone else in your life."

Tonks felt her cheeks flushing, but judging by the lack of comments about any change of colour in her hair, her hair definitely was still the same mousy brown. Even though she missed the fact that she couldn't properly change her hair colour ever since he left her, she was very glad about that fact at the moment.

But apparently Tonks had underestimated Catherine's ability to read people, as her eyes widened slightly. "There is someone else, isn't there?"

"No," said Tonks quickly, hating herself for lying. Catherine didn't seem to buy it, though, as she looked back questioningly.

Tonks relented with a sigh. "It's complicated."

Catherine looked back at her seriously. "Well, if you ever need a listener, feel free to come to me."

Tonks felt a rush of gratitude for the younger woman and a smile spread across her face. She had enjoyed Catherine's company immensely and was sad now that she had to leave. "Thanks, Cathy. I'll be sorry to see you go."

"We'll still see each other at Order meetings though."

"Yes, thank goodness," said Tonks, laughing.

After Catherine had left, Proudfoot had dropped in to the Three Broomsticks and informed Tonks that their shifts would become longer once again with the departure of Catherine and Matthews. Her shift would start late that night, so she decided to drop in at Sirius' for some company much earlier than usual.

However, she was in for a shock. Sitting beside Sirius, looking paler and thinner than ever, was Remus.

She could do nothing but stare as Sirius said something and left the house. Her mind was buzzing and there was a ringing in her ears. When had Remus come back? Why hadn't he or Sirius told her?

The door shut loudly in the silence and Remus looked at her before saying tentatively, "Hello."

"Wo-", she had to stop herself from replying in greeting; she didn't know how to feel about this. Remus was back, a tad ill-looking but safe, and she was equal parts overjoyed and confused and angry.