1.8.11

The Courtship and Marriage of Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin (with a rating under R)

Fandom: Harry Potter

Of Unions and Civility by After the Rain
Length: short
Summary: Tonks confronts the social consequences of her relationship with Remus.

On the Joyous Science, in Wartime by After the Rain
Length: short
Timeline: between HBP and DH
Summary: While Remus spies on Fenrir Greyback, Tonks battles dementors. Love can give you strength; it can also leave you terribly vulnerable.
Quote:
"... The only way we can win this war is to pit reason against madness, joy against despair, laughter against terror, love against hatred. Those who would argue that our weapons are poor and fragile ones should consider the power of a single candle’s flame, and remember how much more effectively the light of a single Patronus scatters the darkness ..."
A Feast for the Senses by mosylu
Length: medium
Timeline: during and after OotP
Summary: As the wizarding world descends into war, Tonks and Remus discover an unexpected intimacy.
Note: This is rated M for the last chapter; the rest I would put at T. It's a well executed sensual study. Also, we get to see Moody's training come through!

The Continental Divide: Or, On Your Hundred-and-First Birthday by there goes my gun
Length: short, vignette
Timeline: during OotP
Prompt request: I'd like a fic that is extremely sensuous in nature. I imagine that Remus, as a werewolf and pariah from polite society, has seldom experienced being touched. Thus I imagine that even the simple contacts that we take for granted and think nothing of would be of great consequence to him. The fic I'd like would explore that issue, as Remus himself explores it with Tonks. But, as a limitation, it would be nice to have a story that dwells on the sensual aspects of this without actually breaking into sex. So- lots of touching and emotional intensity, no sex. Delve into the emotions that may be tied into something so simple as a hand placed on his shoulder. Or his hip. Or being allowed to run his fingertips along someone else's thigh...

There Is No Marriage in Heaven by shield_wolf
Length: concise
Timeline: during the first half of DH
Summary: Snippets from two lives of quiet and growing desperation.

The Corner of First and Amistad by Inclination
Length: short
Timeline: during OotP
Summary: She had always been obsessed by mysteries. He had always wanted an adventure.

Even Though by phantasmagorienne
Length: short
Timeline: during HBP
Summary: She wishes he would take her words like a standard instead of folding them carefully and gently and hiding them away.
Note: From a review: "Set during the days leading up to Remus' mission with the werewolves in HBP, this is a lovely take on the break up of a relationship that is only finally acknowledged out loud by both just as it seems it must end. This is thoughtful and memorable characterisation, very much how two people in a war would break up, with great sadness for what could have been rather than any great drama, as well as determined hope for the future, and the author's style and word choice sets a mood throughout that suits this perfectly."

To the Victor Belong the Spoils by celtmama
Length: medium
Timeline: during OotP
Summary: All wars are fought for a reason, whether honourable or ignoble. This one started over an umbrella...
Note: Prank war!

As If A Magic Lantern by phantasmagorienne
Length: short, character study
Timeline: pre-/during OotP
Summary: He is trying to learn her by heart. Remus and Tonks navigate their changing relationship.

Mantra by iamweebles (defunct username)
Length: short
Summary: Tonks tries very hard but unsuccessfuly not to cry, though this isn't as angsty as you'd expect.

Under the Influence by jadeddiva
Length: short
Summary: Tonks makes biscuits, Remus drinks wine, and everything changes.
Note: For once, an honest interaction between Tonks and Molly that isn't about Tonks' romantic life.

Also, if you are of age and don't mind R-rated sex scenes, I highly recommend Amid My Solitude (novella) and Rhapsody in Blue (short) by sam-storyteller.

And finally, one I like to append to heavier reading:
The Dare by mosylu
Characters: from the POV of the trio and Ginny
Length: short and cute
Summary: Tonks has a special someone in her life, but who? Ron and Harry, sick of the speculation, dare Ginny and Hermione to come right out and ask. But the answer might be a little more than they bargained for. This is your official marshmallow fluff warning.

I'm rather snobbish when it comes to Remus/Tonks fanfiction, and these are the only stories that I would be inclined to consider good: in writing, in plot or technique, in character, and in ideas. As these entries make up less than a third of my whole bookmarked section, this subjective assessment should, as always, be taken with a grain of salt.