Dawn Breaking

A/N - At long last, the next chapter! See, I didn\'t forget about this story! Now don\'t you feel silly for doubting me? :) Thanks to mein commandant Kate, whose orders I obey! She insists that I work on this story regularly.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter adn to all you patient folk who didn\'t show up on my doorstep with chainsaws.


Chapter 9 – Black Clad Cupid

Ian slumped down into his chair and rested his head on his arms where they were crossed on his desk. He emitted an unhappy little sigh and thought back to the all too brief moments he had had with Tonks lately.

Last night they had dinner out at a trendy little wizarding bistro in Diagon Alley. They had discussed both of their jobs and their childhoods, hopes, dreams and aspirations and were well into the innuendo part of the meal, chocolate soufflé with lots of whipped cream, when her boss had called her into work and she had been gone with just a quick peck and a promise to get together again soon.

She had looked just as disappointed and unhappy as he had been but Moody’s Constant Vigilance was turning into Ian’s Constant Frustration. It wasn’t just the physical aspects either. He really enjoyed talking to Tonks; she was funny, relaxed and sweet. She told great stories and laughed easily. He was always left wanting more.

Which was the problem. Severus had kindly if drunkenly agreed to help him out with his relationship problems and the now painfully sober Ian was wondering what exactly that meant. Knowing Severus, he would kidnap Tonks, torture her until she agreed to sleep with Ian and then dump her blindfolded and gagged into his bed. While it had its appeal as a game, that was not the manner in which he wished to woo the lovely Auror.

Then there was his mother. For the last two weeks she had been hinting rather vigorously that she would like to see both Ian and Tonks over at her home for dinner. Finding the time to placate the Demon Duchess, as his brother referred to their mother, in her tendency to wife hunt for him as well as trying to squeeze in time to see Tonks was becoming problematic for him at best.

The door to his office swung open and Severus walked in with his usual flowing robes and dark brooding expression. Ian was startled by his entrance; usually they stayed as far from each other as possible, taking into account the fact that they had to sit next to each other at the High Table.

“Quirrell, I have news.” Severus settled into a chair and folded his hands primly in his lap. Ian had long suspected that Snape was a poofter but outside his dramatic airs and tendency to wear rather full robes -- occasionally with trains -- he had no proof.

“Well?” Ian waited nervously for Severus to tell him about the torture methods he had used to force a confession from Tonks.

“She likes you too, for some baffling reason. She has been seeking assistance in the matter from some of her female acquaintances.” Ian sat up and smiled broadly; she was just as interested in him?

“That’s wonderful!” Happy dreams of Tonks in a frilly nightdress floated through his mind.

“Yes, well, Moody seems to be the crux of the issue. His mania for work is making her miserable.” Severus seemed rather cheerful about the whole thing and Ian was flummoxed; Snape and cheerful went together like snow and bikinis.

“Any ideas on how to deal with this?” Ian was wondering what the teeny tiny movement to Snape’s mouth might mean and realized with some shock that it was a sort of smile.

“I have a dinner appointment with some co-conspirators this evening and should soon have the whole thing sorted out.” Snape muttered with glittering eyes. There was nothing a Slytherin loved more than to plot and plan Ian reflected and Snape looked to be in snake heaven.

“Would this be the women friends?” Ian asked trying to get at least a clue as to what the Potions Master was up to.

“No, no, I am lunching with them next weekend; this is a far more direct route. Tonight I am speaking to a group of Miss Tonks’ co-workers, that idiot Fudge and few other well-placed folk. By this time tomorrow, Moody should be on his way to holiday in Bermuda,” Snape leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled and a very evil thin-lipped smile stretching across his face. He looked diabolical.

“You’re getting him fired?” Ian squeaked.

“Of course not, I am just helping my fellow wizards and witches to get mandatory paid vacation time. Apparently Muggle governments have them for all their employees and if you consider all the time and overtime the Aurors have racked up lately they should have a very great deal of vacation coming.” Snape had a smug expression, like a happy serpent coiled up on a warm rock.

For once, Ian thought it might well be justified.