Requested by lukaspotter

            Tonks stared blankly at her cup of coffee, which sat on the table under the fluorescent light. The steam that once rose didn't show anymore.

The moon was almost gone and Remus was still in his animal state.

She sat inside of their flat and waited patiently.

Even though Remus had taken a small dose of Wolfsbane Potion (this time he wasn't really able to take them daily, and this worried Remus a lot — Tonks had reassured him that everything was going to be okay) and was quite pleasant and dolice for the night, she knew how much it would devastate him to transform into the bloodthirsty beast myth he had spent so long trying to shatter.

Tonks pushed her cup away, no longer in the mood for a coffee she'd usually crave for. She wondered what it was like to become a werewolf.

Painful, yes. She already knew about that. Remus had described it as... something or someone trying to tear all your muscles and bones to shreds. Of course, the pain had lessened in contrast to his childhood.

Then there was the mind. Out of all the pain and agony, what would a person be thinking if they didn't take the potion. Would they still be their ownselves, trapped inside of a body that they wouldn't want to be in? Would they lose their minds and become like vicious, bloodthirtsy animals that werewolves were depicted as? Remus hadn't told her when had she first asked.

A loud yelp and a growl was heard from behind the walls which were supposed to lead to the outside of the house, followed by barely audible whimpers. It broke her heart to hear Remus in so much pain.

It had been another busy day — Remus had been taking her out to Diagon Alley to go buy several new books for Tonks, when he suddenly told her that he wasn't feeling too well. It then occurred to them both that it was a full moon only six and a half hours later, so they hurried back home to get Remus ready for his transformation, which neither of them ever looked forward to.

Tonks thought of what really would happen to Remus if he turned into an animal. Would he see her, recognize her, or just immediately pounce without hesitation to kill her like his prey? She didn't know.

Suddenly, as soon as she stood up to take her half-drunk coffee cup to the kitchen, all the noises outside of the flat turned to nothing. Utter silence. Tonks stood without sound for a moment, not even daring to move. No growling, no whimpering, no short yelps.

Silence.

Panic suddenly spread over Tonks like a wildfire. Had something happened to Remus? Had he broken free from the flat gates and left? Fallen unconscious? Taken? Had somebody hurt him? Millions of thoughts rushed through her head like a huge wave as she tried not to think of the worst possibilities.

Only silence was heard throughout the few seconds that seemed like decades. They stretched into minutes. And still no sound.

            'Something happened.' Tonks thought as she carefully moved her feet to peer outside the window. Only total blackness, except for the small jar of fire specks that they had placed on their stone wall, and the full moon which seemed to beam proudly at its illumination. Subconsciously, her hand reached for the door knob as she groped for it blindly, eventually finding it and turning it slowly. A cold breeze of air was the first to greet her. She carefully put both feet on the porch, climbing into her slippers without a sound.

Part of her mind was screaming at her not to go any further and go back inside the house, while the other urged her to go check on Remus and see if everything was alright. She did the latter, pushing away the thought that this could probably be the last thing she'd ever do.

She'd freeze everytime she thought she heard a growl or any noises that might come from an animal, then continue searching if there wasn't any sound afterwards.

Not until her right foot met a tree.

Her big toe smashed right into the sturdy bark, making her howl in pain and leaves fall from above the boughs. She grabbed her foot in her hand, balancing herself, and winced as she touched the sore spot.

            "Oh, clumsy me." She muttered and carefully set her foot back onto the ground. Avoiding the tree that stood in front of her, she spun and tried to continue her serach for Remus only to see a big figure standing right in front of her, and Tonks held her breath.

Its silhouette shone in the faint moonlight. Curled paws with sharp claws rested at each side of the animal's body, and it's head with a long snout gazed down at her, dribbling saliva onto the grass underneath. Behind was a rather tufted tail, and above the bony shape, Tonks could see green eyes that glowed through the dark of the night. The creature was panting, eyes upon her head, and growling.

Tonks sucked in a deep breath and carefully began to take several steps backwards, trying to look into the eyes to wake him up. 'It's me, Remus!' She thought frantically, feeling her lips part slightly for air. 'It's Tonks, Remus, Tonks!'

The werewolf snapped at her face and licked atoujd its mouth, fingers curling up to show more sharper claws. Squeezing her eyes shut, she could then feel a warm breathing against her neck, moistening her skin. Tonks shuddered at the sensation. She was trapped by a werewolf, and her wand was still inside... what had she been thinking?

            "Remus." She said breathlessly, forcing her eyes open. The werewolf stared back at her, eyes a pure emerald green. They looked so much like Remus's. So much...

The werewolf poked its nose into her bubble-gum coloured hair, and sniffed. Tonks held her breath as he werewolf began to smell her all over. Well, it was now sure that Remus hadn't taken enough Wolfsbane Potions. The werewolf growled, and clawed at midair, reaching nothing. She suddenly felt a strong urge to touch his snout.

            "Shh..." She hushed as she carefully put up a hand, slipping the other to the tree for a head start on a run just in case Remus did attack her. "It's me, Remus, Tonks." Tensing ever so slightly, her hand rested on his snout, and she began to pet him, very slowly. The werewolf ceased to growl, and inside loosened its muscles, poking its nose further into her clothes and hair. A grin settled upon her face.

            "That's right... stay still." Tonks whispered softly into the werewolf's ear. "Shush now, Remus."

Remus sniffed, and stood still, tail gently swinging from side to side. She pet his head gently and carefully pressed her cheek against his head. The fur wasn't as furry as she thought it would be, but it felt like him; smelled like him, even. Remus got down on all fours, sat down, and lowered his head, snout now pointing towards the ground.

Tonks slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, and Remus pressed himself against her body. A soft, grumbling of pleasure was heard inside of him, and Tonks gently tightened her grip.

"It feels good, doesn't it?" Tonks asked. "Cuddling with me." The werewolf seemed to reply with a deep rumbling.

Soon Remus was nudging her shoulder with his paw, sniffing. She giggled and nudged back, poking the werewolf with her finger. He pounced, got on top of her, and licked her face. Tonks laughed and pushed him off to the grass next to her, and Remus tumbled to the side, panting.

So they lay there in the moonlight. They stayed that way for hours, until the next day and Remus returned to his human state, weary and tired, craving for a cup of tea.