Beauty and the Beast (Remus Lupin)

17.

Rose heard a loud crash down stairs which woke her up before she intended to. She quickly ran out of her room and walked down, only to find Tonks on the floor.

"It's this darn umbrella stand." She pushed it aside as she stood up, "constantly tripping over it."

"What happened?" Remus ran down, "Oh, Tonks."

"What was that? Is it Tonks?" Sirius ran down.

"Of course." Remus answered.

"Oh whatever." Tonks rolled her eyes, "I need to borrow Ro."

"Why? You know she was supposed to set off to school today." Sirius said.

"I know, I know. I just need to take her to Hogsmeade. You know Dolores Umbridge?" Tonks looked up.

"Familiar with the name, yes."

"Ok, well...she works for the Ministry and was sent to Hogwarts on a very awful task. She's sent there to prevent students from learning about the dark arts, and there's word that she's preventing Harry from speaking about Voldemort. But that's besides the point, someone saw Umbridge going to the Three Broom Sticks every night and is engaging with Rosemerta. Rose if you could try to image her it'll be great. After that, you're free to go to school."

"Are you mad? If Umbridge knows or if she gets distracted, the whole mission can go to hell." Remus said.

"She can do it. She did it in King Crossing when..." Tonks looked over at Remus then at Rose, "All I know is she can do..."

"Then Remus must go." Sirius said.

"No! I mean-Uh...I'll protect her." Tonks said.

"You can't, you have to go to work. We need you to keep your job." Sirius crossed his arms.

"I know that but if Remus goes then..." She and Rose shared a look, "I just think it'll be better with me. I can help you out, that's what I've been doing this whole time."

"I don't want to hear. This is going too far!" Remus said, "she's fully capable but isn't ready. What did I tell each of you the night before she arrived? Remember? Good, because she's not going unless I go too!"

"What did you say...?" Rose looked up at him.

"It's nothing to worry about...just something personal." He reassured her.

Before he looked back at Tonks, Rose suddenly felt her heart skip a beat. And then her hair turned to a deep dark red.

"See, she's already distracted." Sirius said.

Remus looked back over as well as Tonks to find Rose's emotions getting the best of her.

"Listen, Tonks. I know you mean well and want to help her too. But we made a promise to Remus about her, and we can't break it now. Especially for someone who works at the ministry." Sirius said.

"Ok...Fine." Tonks didn't seem to fight anymore, "then maybe you should start getting ready to leave."

Rose walked back up to her room.

Tonks then walked in, "I'm not stupid."

"No one said you were...What's wrong?" Rose asked.

"The night you arrived, you were able to start controlling your powers. Then, you started controlling you hair, unless you looked at Remus. But when we escorted Harry and the rest, you were absolutely fine. And now...after what I just saw down there. I'm not fully sure if you realize it yet but, I think Remus is your distraction."