T is for Tonks

Chapter 9 - Tea and Sympathies.

The warmth of The Burrow and the absence of the smell of damp was a welcomed change for Nymphadora. 

Normally, when she had boy or girl trouble, she would have gone to her mother who would have bought her chocolate and comforted her while she sat on the couch and cried. Given that Tonks couldn't see Andromeda for the time being, she decided that Molly could temporarily adopt the position. The noise of her arrival had stirred the occupants of the house and caused the owls to hoot and flap about in their cages. Tonks fell to her knees on the heart rug and buried her face into her hands. She heard Molly rush down the stairs and shout her name in surprise, but didn't respond.

Remus had led her on and let her down. Had he even led her on? Was it all just in her head? Oh Merlin. She had kissed him. She didn't even know if he liked her? She was so unprofessional. What would happen if Mad-Eye found out? What would happen if the rest of the Order found out? 

Sirius would never let her forget about this. Merlin. She had kissed his best friend. Tonks had basically pounced on him and forced him to kiss her. She was no better than a sexual predator.

She wailed loudly with hot, fat tears running down her cheeks. Tonks's throat was sore from her sobbing and she couldn't help but shake violently. "Tonks, my love." Molly rubbed her back soothingly. "Come on, sit at the table. "

Molly had made Tonks a large mug of tea and placed a croissant on a plate in front of her. Tonks touched neither. Instead she dug her fingernails into the wooden table and stared out of the window. The sun was rising over the lush green fields that surrounded The Burrow. The rain had stopped and the grass glittered with water droplets. The wind was still causing the trees to dance and sway. Remus always smelled like grass and leaves. The thought made Tonks's heart wrench.

"I'm so sorry Molly." She moaned

The lady opposite her pulled her baby pink dressing gown tighter around herself. "What happened?" Molly covered Tonks's hand with her own.

"I kissed Remus. And then - and then he ran away and." Tonks choked causing a large amount of snob to dribble out of her nose. Molly handed her a tissue. "I'm sorry."  

Molly soothed. "It's quite alright, Dear."

"I know you wanted me to get with Bill. But, I really like Remus. Were really good friends and I really don't want to lose him because of some stupid crush." Tonks admitted. 

Molly looked at Tonks with wide and comforting eyes. "Sometimes things don't go the way we plan them. Did I ever tell you how Arthur and I got together?" Tonks looked at Molly blankly.

"Arthur and I had potions together in sixth year, and I fancied him really badly. I slipped him some amortentia and for the next few days, we couldn't keep our hands off of each other. Eventually the potion wore off and Arthur came back his senses. He was so mad at me and I felt like such an awful person for using him. I told him how I felt and eventually he gave me a chance. Look how we ended up?" Tonks rubbed her eyes with her fists and yawned.

"I'm glad that things have worked out for you and Arthur, but Remus seems to have so many issues. I'm more than willing to look past them but he doesn't want to burden me. I don't even care that he's a werewolf. I can handle his monthly transformations. I can look after the-" Tonks dug her fingers into her hair. "Is it me? Am I the problem? I know I'm not your average witch but-"

"Nymphadora!" Molly chastised. "Don't you dare change yourself for that man. If Remus doesn't appreciate you for who you are then he isn't worthy of your stress. He flirted with you and lead you to believe that he has feelings for you. Regardless of what he does or doesn't feel, there's no excuse for the way he acted."