Complications

Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter. I own Hail Storms and Mitchell Johnson.

It was almost midnight as Remus walked slowly out of the hallway and into the drawing room of Grimmauld Place. It seemed like ages ago that he had been part of the company that had greeted Harry at King’s Cross. Hail had not been there, as she was desperately ill over Sirius’ death, and Mitchell hadn’t been there either; she had stayed behind to take care of Hail.

“Remus?” He turned around, half expecting to see Mitchell. Instead, Tonks was standing at the doorway.

“Hello, Tonks,” Remus said politely. She looked less bubbly than usual; understandable, as a member of her family had just been murdered.

“Is it ok if I just…?”

“Yes, of course.” Tonks walked into the drawing room and came to a stop by a window. Her eyes were looking down at the floor, which was weird. What was doubly weird was that her hair was no longer spiked and pink, but slightly long, lank, and mousy colored. “Are you alright?” Remus asked in concern. She nodded, still not looking at him. “Tonks, I’m sorry about your losing Sirius. You never really got to know him, even though he was family.” Tonks gave a small start, finally raising her eyes to look at him.

“What? Oh. Yeah, it’s sad.” Remus frowned, feeling a tad perplexed. Tonks’ behavior was a far cry from her usual one; it made Remus uneasy. “Remus, I need to tell you something. Something important.” She seemed to be nervous, for she shifted her weight and bit her lip.

“Is anything the matter?”

“I love you.” She practically blurted it out, staring at him with wide eyes. Remus stood there for a moment, wondering if he had misheard Tonks. But he hadn’t, he had heard her perfectly well.

‘Oh…shit. What can I say?’ he thought to himself. Obviously, he didn’t have any romantic feelings for her, as he had loved Mitchell for almost all his life. He had always seen Tonks as a fellow Order member, nothing more. She was certainly too young, he knew that. Remus sighed and gazed at her seriously.

“Tonks…” Tonks perked up slightly, a wild hope rising in her. “I can’t.” She stared in disbelief, her eyes dimming a bit.

“But, Remus! I’m not jesting!”

“I know you’re not. And still, I can’t. When I transform, I could seriously hurt anyone who’s nearby. Hell, I could even kill them. How do you think I’d feel if I killed someone who’s close to me? Besides,” he said quietly. “How can I support anyone else, let alone myself with the income I earn, if I’m lucky.” Tonks opened her mouth to protest, but was interrupted as Mitchell walked in.

“Oh!” The woman stopped short. “Sorry. Was I interrupting something?”

“No,” Remus said. “No, you didn’t.” He walked away from Tonks and toward the doorway. “I have to go, Dumbledore wanted to tell me something about my new task.” He was glad that this was true, he’d hate it if he had to make up something in order to leave a now distraught Tonks. But she had to understand; they weren’t made for each other. That Remus already had a woman to love…

“Alright. Be careful.” Tonks could barely hear Mitchell’s voice as Remus left Grimmauld Place, as he left her. Mitchell came over to her and placed a hand worryingly on her arm. “Tonks? Are you ok?” Tonks forced herself to smile a bit, fighting back the tears.

“Yes. I’m fine, Mitchell, thanks. I just need to rest a bit.” With that, Tonks hurried away from Mitchell and out into London with a broken heart.

Sorry about not updating sooner. I blame writer's block and the beginning of a new school quarter. Thanks for hanging out and R&R!