As soft music came on in the "ballroom", Remus tried his hardest to lead Tonks in a series of simple steps, but was failing quite miserably. She was giggling as he fumbled with his feet and their hands. While he was a graceful person, he just couldn't find the beat to anything. Remus guessed that Tonks had the opposite problem—the ability to dance and find perfect steps to the beat but had no grace as she walked, slipping on her two inch heels. It was something Remus found comical.

He led her as much as he could into turns and twirls, her golden dress swishing as they danced.

"So, you haven't been at the coffee shop lately?" Remus whispered, hoping to start a casual conversation.
Tonks raised an eyebrow, "I do apologize for having a job, school, and annoying roommates."
Remus was flustered, "No—no I didn't mean it that way." he stuttered.
"I'm teasing, calm down." she laughed, "Anyway, I'd be happy to stop by some time."
"That'd be great." Remus smiled softly.

They danced delicately for another few moments, and Remus found the time to really admire her as they chatted about the silliest things. Favorite colors. Places they'd love to go. Favorite books. (Remus had invited her to a book fair that was next week and managed to get her number.) His heart raced every time they twirled and he felt his breath hitch as she smiled at him. Heat rose to his cheeks.

No, no, no, he scolded himself, you can't be in love with this girl. You met her like two months ago.

But he couldn't explain the feeling. The happiness that flooded his senses. The elation that filled his lonely heart as he gripped her hand. The fluttering feeling in his stomach, as if urging him to make a move and kiss her.

She's a lady, and deserves nothing less than my respect, he told himself. As much as he'd enjoy falling in love and kissing her then and there, she deserved his respect and he would do nothing without consent.

So kind. So fun. So beautiful. Tonks gave off a kind and calm aura, and made the mood so much lighter and more fun. She was different from some many people he'd met. Most customers never stopped to talk to him. But she did. Most people would never talk about genetics and studies with him. But she did. Most people wouldn't laugh at his jokes and stories. But she did. No one in the world would ever order a hot chocolate bubble tea. But she did.

None had ever made his heart flutter like this. But she was different. From the tips of her hair to the stars twinkling with laughter in her warm chocolate eyes, she was different from so many and had captured his emotions.

The song had ended as Remus led Tonks into one more graceful spin. They laughed, knowing all this was comical and jovial.

"I wonder if there's Disney karaoke." she joked, earning a snort from him, "I'll see you later. I'm going to chat with some other friends of mine."

Tonks waved to him, leaving Remus wondering what had just happened. He found himself watching her as she left, her golden gown swishing as she did so. A feeling rose in his chest as he saw her chatting with another man. One more attractive than him by far. Remus pushed down the feeling. She can do as she pleases and is nor under my command, he chastised himself.

What had just happened?

Remus felt a hand touch his shoulder softly. He turned to see who it was. Lily Evans.

"Remus, darling, I think you're in love." she raised an eyebrow, refusing to hide the smile on her face.
"You can't tell a soul." he whispered to her, the silliest of smiles apparent on his face.

~oOo~

Tonks smiled as she waved a goodbye to Remus, who's begun talking to Lily after she'd left. Dancing ugh him seemed like a dream, as if she were floating in air. She felt so at ease with him. She'd danced with many a man in her younger years, and been on the receiving end of snide comments on her beauty as she danced with a guy. It disgusted her, and she could barely danced with someone without feeling anxious or uncomfortable.

Tonks hadn't a clue as to why she'd asked him to dance with her. A feeling told her to, and she'd gone with her gut.

Ah well, that dance and dream were over, and it was time to move on. She'd spotted Charlie and moved over to talk to him.

She studied his costume for a moment. A dark maroon brown robe with clocks' features painting on it. The sleeves were gold and Charlie wore clock hands on his face and a powdered wig. He must've been dressed as Cogsworth. Tonks wanted to laugh at how extra he was, the glanced down at her own outfit. Says the one in the golden dress, she mused.

"Hey Tonks!" he grinned at her, "Wow, you look amazing." He reached to hug her, and she accepted.
"Thanks, you too." she snickered as she gestured to his outfit.
"How has everything been?"
"Good, I suppose."
"Why don't you stop by the Burrow sometime?" Charlie chuckled at the nickname for his house, "Ginny, Ron, even the twins, and Mum would love to see you."

Tonks thought for minute. She'd hadn't seen the Weasleys in a while.  But she had quite the number of work to catch up on.

"I don't think a breakfast would hurt." she answered, a smile on her face, "I can stop by in a little while."
"Great! When do you think you'd be coming over. So I can tell Mum and Dad."
"I'd be happy to join you guys tomorrow." she spoke without thinking about the actual date and only knowing that it was a Sunday.

She'd glanced at her calendar after Charlie hugged her and left. She groaned. The day she agreed to have breakfast with the Weasleys was also the day she agreed to help Lily with the event at the library. It was also when she'd promised to stop by the coffee shop and chat with Remus.

When did her life get this hectic?

Maybe she could convince him to go to the bookshop for the event. Though she'd doubted he had a younger relative that he could bring, maybe he could just swing by. That event itself was from 12:00 to 3:00 and she'd had to catch up on some things with her roommates afterward.

The party had soon ended, and Tonks raked up her skirts so she could walk. She'd headed outside to find that her roommates must've already left. She groaned aloud. Why had she agreed to go to a party with them. Of course, they'd forgotten about her. Tonks called Badeea over the phone, and she'd said that Penny felt ill and they didn't want to have to wait. She'd also remarked on her dancing with Remus, and didn't want to interrupt the sweet relationship forming (Tonks had rolled her eyes at that). Ah, whatever, she thought, I'll get a ride from Sirius or someone. 

She huffed and shuffled through her bag, looking for her wallet so she could hail a taxi. She'd heard a car drive close to her part of the sidewalk and horn loudly. Tonks nearly jumped out of her skin and looked up.

"Hey Tonks, you need a ride?" Remus asked after rolling down the window. She glanced into the car. Sirius and James seemed drunk and asleep in the back, with Peter stuck between them.
"It'd be nice." she answered, her eyebrows furrowed.
"I can take you home. After I drop these people off."
"I'd like that." she smiled as he opened the door to let her sit shot gun side.

Yeah yeah this was a bit cliche and I'll apologize for that. Anyway, how's life? I'm a bit sleepy, but I hope you're all doing good.

Question of the day:
Do you wear glasses?

yes I wear glasses. It's not my fault it's a genetic thing. I actually made a self portrait on my iPad and I wanna know what you think!

And there we go.

Anyway I'll see you all next chapter!
Abby