Remus/Tonks (Harry Potter)

[violet_quill]

Title: Through All Their Changes
Author: Violet
Spoilers: Through Order of the Phoenix, obviously. There are some quotations from fanfics, but nothing spoilerish.
Email: shyviolet@gmail.com
Personal Website: Fics by Violet
Acknowledgments: A huge thanks to the_portkey and pandoraculpa for all their help with this piece! Also to the authors whose work I have quoted; there are some things that you say so much better than I ever could.



The changeless beauty that they wear
Through all their changes - all of these
Are mine.
- from "Hertha", by Nora Chesson

A particularly exciting aspect of the release of Order of the Phoenix was the introduction of so many new adult characters, particularly the Black family and members of the Order. One in particular who happens to fall into both of these categories is Nymphadora Tonks, and even though the entirety of her lines in the book could probably be quoted in this essay, her impact on the fandom has been a relatively large one.

Tonks, as she prefers to be called, has been shipped – as is customary with most characters in the fandom – with pretty much everyone, but by far the most popular pairing matches her with Remus Lupin.

Admittedly, this may require a suspension of disbelief on the part of many fanfic readers – the consideration that, quite possibly, Remus likes girls. After all, the majority of shipping involving him are slash pairings – Remus/Sirius, Remus/Severus – but Remus/Tonks is certainly the most popular het pairing (despite the approximately thirteen year age difference). So pushing all notions of sexuality aside for the purpose of this essay, we’ll have a look at why this pairing works, and why it’s a distinct canon possibility.

A MASK - a perpetual natural disguiser of herself,
Concealing her face, concealing her form,
Changes and transformations every hour, every moment,
Falling upon her even when she sleeps.
- Walt Whitman

“You know, I don't think violet’s really my colour. Think it makes me look a bit peaky?” She screwed up her eyes in a strained expression as though she was struggling to remember something. A second later, her hair had turned bubble-gum pink. - OoTP

Tonks makes an appearance in OoTP as a member of the advance guard who retrieve Harry from Privet Drive during the summer. She makes an immediate impression on Harry because of her interesting appearance, and he soon finds out that not only does she generally look different from most people (even in the Wizarding world, violet hair is not very common), but she has the ability to change her appearance at will – she is a Metamorphmagus, a very rare magical capability with which few wizards are born.

Throughout the book, Tonks’s ability is portrayed very lightly – as a form of amusement, or a mechanism for disguise. However, the very nature of the gift suggests that it isn’t always something positive. In fact, it is through Remus’s condition as a werewolf that we see that even in the Wizarding world, people who are different are often ostracized.

Given the instability of Tonks’s appearance, it’s not surprising that she’s generally physically unstable in other ways as well; her clumsiness might suggest that she’s not comfortable in her own body, which makes sense since it’s constantly changing. It serves as another reason for her to have trouble fitting in with her surroundings, or being “normal.” Of course, judging from the colors of her hair, she doesn’t seem to have a problem with this – in fact, her energy and attitude in general suggest that she’s extremely outgoing and has a generally optimistic view of life despite the unpleasant things that are happening around her. Occasionally she seems quite childlike, but her position in the Ministry and the Order remind us of the amount of responsibility that she bears; she simply doesn’t let it weigh her down as some of the other characters do.

There are very few strong adult female characters in the books, and Tonks fills this void nicely – as well as the generation gap between Marauders era and Trio era. She represents versatility and lightheartedness, while demonstrating that someone who is different can function normally, and get past the stigmas placed on her by those who might distrust her abilities. Likewise, Remus Lupin carries a very serious stigma of his own.

"And I'm not a very popular dinner guest with most of the community. It's an occupational hazard of being a werewolf." – OoTP

But now you were even more aware of it, the tears in the robe so carefully patched, only to be torn apart again. And again. You could almost imagine him, sitting there, watching the candle and then the curtain, the sounds of ripping fabric as his body changed its shape, and later, a bright steel needle flashing between callused fingers as he mended the robe. How many times had he pricked himself with that needle, how many times did the moon destroy what he had so carefully put back together? – Patchwork Robe

Introduced in Prisoner of Azkaban, Remus Lupin has been one of the major sympathetic characters in the books. As a werewolf, he is forced to carry the burden of a horrible affliction but he does so with uncommon grace. It becomes even clearer in OoTP how many problems he faces not just because of the physical afflictions, but by the way that society views him. Because of prejudice, Lupin cannot hold a job; even his position at Hogwarts was forfeited, although he was better suited for DADA professor than the others we've encountered. As a result, he is quite poor and also accustomed to being judged for his condition rather than for himself. However, nothing about his attitude emphasizes this; he doesn't complain, nor does he seem embarrassed by his poverty or excessively bitter about the sanctions against him.

Coupled with the emotional and physical stress of being a werewolf, Remus also must cope with the pain of having lost every single one of his best friends - once, when Sirius (allegedly) killed Harry's parents and Peter, and then again at the end of OoTP when he lost Sirius for the second time. Even faced with this, he immediately thinks of Harry rather than himself.

Remus is kind, unpatronizing, and treats everyone equally. This is particularly apparent in contrast to Sirius, who at one point says that he believes no one is purely good or purely evil, and yet treats Snape as if there is no possibility of the man having any redeeming qualities. Remus, however, treats Snape with a great deal of respect despite how he is treated in return – and even calls him by his first name, which few other characters do. In Sirius’ defense, he is a classic case of arrested development – after being in Azkaban for so long, upon his return he still acts as if he’s twenty. Remus, on the other hand, because of his condition was forced to grow up before his time. He is always depicted as the calmer, more mature Marauder, and even as an adult he has an air of wisdom about him, and even prematurely gray hair.

Of course, while Remus generally comes across as relatively peaceful, this is coupled with his being nonconfrontational. In flashbacks to his school days, particularly, we see that he tended to let things happen rather than preventing them. He also resigned his position at Hogwarts without putting up a fight.

Though intolerance and loneliness are such important aspects of Remus Lupin’s life, one of most interesting things about his character is that he does not let these define him; he constantly copes with unpleasant changes, but does so quietly. It could be argued that he does so alone, and that this is as much his own choice as a product of his condition – perhaps a fear of losing more people that he loves.

“And this is Nymphadora – “
“Don't call me Nymphadora, Remus,' said the young witch with a shudder, 'it's Tonks.”
“Nymphadora Tonks, who prefers to be known by her surname only,” finished Lupin.
“So would you if your fool of a mother had called you Nymphadora,” muttered Tonks. - OoTP

Tonks and Remus are often together in OoTP – generally when the Order is assembled in one place, they are standing beside each other. Their conversation shows a great deal of familiarity, with almost teasing undertones, and Tonks seems more comfortable with him than she does with the other adults. There are other various pieces of subtext that have been examined by shippers, of course. For example, Harry comes downstairs and finds them eating breakfast together, deep in whispered conversation that stops abruptly as soon as he notices them. However, it’s not so much what is actually in canon as what is implied by the nature of their characters that makes their pairing so natural.

Tonks stood just behind him, her bright bubble-gum-pink hair gleaming in the sunlight filtering through the dirty glass of the station ceiling, wearing heavily patched jeans and a bright purple T-shirt bearing the legend The Weird Sisters. Next to Tonks was Lupin, his face pale, his hair greying, a long and threadbare overcoat covering a shabby jumper and trousers. – OoTP

An interesting pair, aren’t they? On the outside they seem so disparate and yet they have things in common on the inside not shared by the other characters. One of the more fascinating things about their dynamic is that it is just as much their differences as their similarities that bring them together. Not only do the things that they share bring them closer through a mutual understanding, but their differences complement each other and provide a completeness that they don’t have individually.

"You spend three nights a month locked away from the world," she whispered. "And I haven't any idea what my real face ought to look like. We both hide. Neither of us got to choose." - Amid My Solitude

Tonks thought, too, that Remus probably didn't want to put too many people to the test of truly acknowledging his condition. It was one thing to know intellectually that your friend was a werewolf; it was quite another to witness the violent and disturbing change that was an aspect of his life. She suspected that more than once he had lost a friend in just such a manner. – Between the Bars

Tonks and Remus are both different in ways that were thrust upon them without the freedom of choice. Whereas Tonks’s abilities do not appear to have the negative consequences that Remus’s do, we only see her through the eyes of the Order and have no way of knowing how she is received by the outside world. It is more likely that she received more ridicule than fear as a child, but even so, she has the opportunity to understand more of what he goes through than the average person.

Both Remus and Tonks live in social isolation and neither is likely to encounter many - if any - of their own kind. However, that which makes each of them unusual is also the foundation for perhaps the strongest bond between them as a pair. Werewolves and Metamorphmagi are both essentially shape shifters. They each possess a form of magic, whether it is considered positive or negative, that transcends the average witch or wizard. It seems entirely plausible that the physical magic that affects them as individuals might draw them together as well.

“Dumbledore’s theory that a peculiar magic existed between her and Remus had to be true. It explained everything. The force of it – that sparkling energy – had been there between them from the moment she’d chosen to kiss him in the hallway that night. It was there every time they made love; it surrounded them and bound them. It was almost like a voice in her mind that encouraged her to be free…” -- Blood on the Moon

Tonks and Remus both hide in some way: Tonks, with her constantly changing appearance, and Remus, the fact that he is a werewolf – first when he is a student at Hogwarts, and then again when he is a teacher.

Tonks’s experiences likely give her a great deal of tolerance, something that is extremely important to Remus. She won’t judge him, or expect that he’ll judge her. She is compassionate enough to want to step in and fill the void of the things that he has lost. She understands what it means to hide, what it means to be different, what it means to change, what it means to be fighting for something that’s more important than yourself. She even understands his pain at the end of OoTP, since she was close to Sirius as well.

It is also likely that Tonks has more understanding than most that who you are is reflected on the inside rather than the outside, since her outward appearance doesn't remain static long enough to be a reflection of her true inner self. Though fanon Remus is often described as extremely attractive, there isn't much in the books to suggest this - rather, we simply know that he looks a bit older than he should, with prematurely graying hair, possibly malnourished, and often visibly sickly or tired close to the full moon. He may also carry an expanse of scars from his transformations prior to Wolfsbane, as he does in the film version of PoA. Not to suggest that Remus is unattractive, simply that it is unlikely that he has the easy appeal that someone like Sirius once did, and that Tonks may be one of the few who looks deeper straight away.

I see Tonks as someone who, deep down, wants stability. She came from a family that would have been deeply rocked by the first war, she has ever-changing faces, she has an active, dangerous job... Remus, her opposite, is an anchor, who treats her kindly, doesn't patronize her but rather seems to see her for the core Who of Tonks. And he genuinely likes her, for herself- and to someone who would be something of a novelty (pig snouts?), this would have to be very nice indeed. – pandoraculpa

As much as the pair may have a connection through understanding, their coupling is also a case of opposites attracting. She is loud where he is quiet, she is clumsy where he is careful, she is energetic where he is calm, she is idealistic where he is pragmatic.

They have the opportunity to bring so many things to each other – he needs to laugh, she needs to be grounded, he needs someone he can trust, she needs someone who will listen. They both need someone to fix them when they’re broken. They both need something that feels like home.

To his eye she was possessed of such youth and beauty, regardless of the style she gave it. Tonks represented so many contradictions and she was nothing short of a complete mystery. Still, somehow, Remus felt as if she were the one element of his life that made any sense. - Blood on the Moon

The age difference between Tonks and Remus is unclear, but it seems to be between ten and fifteen years. While this is not cross-generational to the extent of Marauder/Trio pairings, it is a larger gap than one typically sees in romantic pairings. However, with all of the exposition concerning Remus’ maturity earlier, some of these same issues make it likely that he actually a bit undelevoped as far as interpersonal relationships are concerned. Receiving the bite at such a young age would have dramatically altered the nature of his youthful experiences. Then when he left Hogwarts he was immediately embroiled in political issues and also separated from his friends. The combination of these things, as well as his having been shunned by society, suggest that he may not be that experienced with social dynamics where women are concerned.

Enter Tonks, who is younger and also less experienced with relationships, but who has also grown up quickly due to carrying responsibilities at a young age. In addition, he may find initial comfort with her since she is a Black and quite similar to Sirius in personality. She is also outgoing, and that, coupled with their respective uniqueness in the wizarding community, might serve to draw him out. And even aside from the issues concerning her own abilities, Tonks may also be one of the few women brave enough to face the werewolf, given her line of work.

She still makes her eyes the wrong shade of blue once in awhile, and every so often, he'll forget and offer her olives or buy her something to match an eye color she rarely wears anymore, but the important thing is that when Harry Potter watches them kiss… he smiles. - The Taste of Apples

When I first read OoTP, I wasn’t thinking about Remus/Tonks in terms of shipping. It didn’t feel so much like “Oh, I wish these two characters would get together!” as “How lovely, it appears that JKR is setting up a romance.” I love this ship. It is not my favorite to write, or even my favorite to read (which are also different), but with the exception of trio pairings, if there was one pairing in HP that I absolutely believe will be canon, it’s Remus/Tonks.

I don’t want to even try to delve into the way that JKR’s mind works, but there seems to be a positioning of elements in the story that bring these two together. Even their introductions are similar – we first see Remus as providing light for Harry in the form of a patronus against the Dementors on the train, and we see Tonks doing the same with a lumos spell in the house on Privet Drive.

Remus has lost so much at the end of OoTP that there is an obvious void to be filled. There is never any mention of his family, and with Sirius’ death perhaps the closest he has is a somewhat paternal bond with Harry. The Order member that he seems to be friendliest with – judging by banter and spatial closeness – is Tonks. Setting aside canon slash possibilities, she is also the best romantic prospect, as the only strong female character anywhere close to his age. This, combined with the previous exposition as to why they fit well together, makes the pairing seem quite plausible indeed.

There have been many beautiful fanfiction pieces written about this pairing. There are many common devices – Tonks comforting Remus after Sirius’ death (often with the assumption that he and Sirius were lovers), Tonks having a crush on Remus since childhood, Tonks taking care of Remus after the full moon, Remus and Tonks thrown together on Order business, Remus and Tonks coming together because of their shared affection for Harry.

Whether you believe that the pairing is plausible in canon or not, it is certainly a dynamic worth exploring.

*** Recommendations ***

One Shots

The Taste of Apples, by setissma
Rhapsody in Blue, by copperbadge
Patchwork Robe, by kikei
What’s In a Name, by scribbulus_ink
Comfort, by biggrstaffbunch
togethercoloured instant, by friede

story arc by pandoraculpa:
Between the Bars
The Hunt
Alexandrite
Dinner at the Wicked Vicar
Ice Follies

Longer Works

Amid My Solitude, by copperbadge
Blood on the Moon, by the_portkey
Werewolf and Metamorph, by LavendarBrown
Shifts, by fernwithy (WIP)
Healing, by sunshyndaisies (WIP)

The Naughtier Bits:

Strange Bedfellows, by spankerella
Lunch Break, by lifeofawoman
Crush, by violet_quill
Faded Photographs, by setissma
Your True Face, by thetreacletart

Sites:

wolfandlady
Wolf and Lady yahoo group
Temptation Fanfiction Archive
Wotcher!Wolvie Fanfiction Recs
Taking Over Me Fanlisting
Wotcher Wolvie Ship Thread at Fiction Alley

Please feel free to add recommendations in comments. These are just my personal favorites, as well as those of the lovely people over at wolfandlady.

Comments

[thetreacletart.livejournal.com]

Bravo!

This was a very well thought out essay; clear, concise, and honest. I like that it showed how Remus/Tonks is not only a plausible relationship because of circumstance, but one that could easily build out of a mutual understanding of each other's lives and a shared history.

I loved the quotes from fics as well as those taken right out of canon. It beautifully illustrated your points.

Excellent job.

[violet_quill]

Thank you!

Your True Face was actually one of the new things that I read when I was writing this, and I loved it. :)

[marksykins.livejournal.com]

*applause*

I read it because it's you, even though I rather hate the ship. Very well thought out essay with fun bits from canon! <333

[violet_quill]

Hee, thank you! And thanks for reading it in the first place. :-D *smooches*

[miracle-mercy.livejournal.com]

i loved it!!!congratulations!!!!

[violet_quill]

Aw, thank you. :) I'm glad you liked it! Long live the ship.

[wm-law2003.livejournal.com]

Wonderfully said! I think you captured just about everything I love about Remus/Tonks.

[violet_quill]

Thank you! It was fun to write, because I discovered lots of new things to love about them. ;)

hey!

[kikei.livejournal.com]

nice essay :) and hey... you quoted me! whoo.

*waves multitude of Wotcher Wolvie banners*

even if I wasn't already an avid R/T shipper, this would probably make me one. very well done!

-Kiks

Re: hey!

[violet_quill]

Hey hey!

First of all, I'm really glad you liked it!

And second, I read Patchwork because someone recommended it to me while I was writing this, and I loved it. *fangirls you for a moment* I love that quote; it's just beautiful. Yay. :)

[fernwithy.livejournal.com]

Like you, I wasn't so much reading it as a shipper (which would be difficult, as I'm really not one), as kind of thinking, "Whoa... JKR's setting up a Lupin romance!" And I realized that I really liked the notion, for many of the reasons that you listed, especially "he needs to laugh, she needs to be grounded." They have some very important things in common, but also some points where they complement each other quite nicely.

I also find it likely by the canon set-up (she is the daughter of Andromeda Black, the only member of Sirius's family that he likes) and by tone (her exasperated "Don't call me Nymphadora," which smacks of an adult trying to shake a childhood name) that they have known each other for most of her life. Which, btw, I think is as much a liability in their relationship as an advantage. He has to unlearn a few things about her.

It was very smart to point out that Remus wouldn't have a lot of relationship experience in his life. He's not the kind of guy who would get into an intimate relationship without telling the person about his lycanthropy and so on, nor is he the type to tell a person that lightly. And since he's a bit reserved on top of it, I doubt he's gotten particularly far in building intimate relationships over the years--it's distinctly possible that she's more experienced than he is, though pretty much everything about her screams "innocent" (she randomly walks into a teenage boy's room and helps him pack his underwear, apparently never taking into consideration that a young woman in a boy's bedroom would certainly have connotations to someone like, say, the boy's aunt) so my actual assumption is that they're pretty much on even ground.

[violet_quill]

Another nice point about Tonks's experience - I was actually thinking the exact same thing when going through OoTP looking for quotes. "Gee, it seems kind of odd that she just prances into Harry's room." :)

I think I still have the review of OoTP that I wrote when it first came out that said I couldn't believe there was such an obvious romantic interest for Lupin. It surprised me later when I got into fandom more and discovered that not everyone saw it that way!

[dancing-salome.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed your essay very much. It's a pairing I have found quite likely since I read the last book, and I found your analyze very good. There is another factor that binds them together as well. Tonks father is a Muggle and Rowling's has said in interviews that one of Lupin's parents are a Muggle as well. that would certainly give them something else in common, as they have most likely been brought up in contact with both words. And as you pointed out, they have a difference that uis unusual even it the wisarding world. it must have been even more awkvard being with Muggles then.

As for age difference. Well, I'm in a long-term realtionship with a man 15 year older than me. Sometimes the problem that arise are not what you would have been a younger man, but on the other hand, some problems you don't get at all. I think it's more a matter of personality, rather than age.

Thanks again for a good essay!

[fernwithy.livejournal.com]

Actually, Tonks's father is a Muggle-born wizard, not a Muggle (at least according to OotP, and I don't remember Rowling saying that was a mistake). And "Half-Blood," as we know from Harry, can mean someone who's parent was Muggle-born as well as Muggle. So it could be that they both have a Muggle-born parent, but if one of Remus's parents is a Muggle, they don't have that in common.

[skyemarie.livejournal.com]

bravo! that was wonderfully written. the viewpoints and examples you expressed are very similar to my own beliefs. something about that pair just 'clicks'. my two favorite and in my opinion most likely romantic pairings of the harry potter universe are naturally remus/tonks, as well as ron/hermione. it would be amusing to see a similar essay devoted to them *g*.

this post is definately going into my memories. and i'll be reccing to folks as well.

[violet_quill]

Thanks!

And there actually is someone signed up to do Ron/Hermione eventually, I think. You should keep an eye out!

[i-said-boourns.livejournal.com]

*claps*

This was a wonderful essay, honestly made my day. It captured my favorite ship wonderfully. Thank you so much for writing this. :D

[violet_quill]

Thank you! I'm so glad it made your day. :) It's been a lot of fun to write as well; it's made me think about the pairing so much that I really want to write a lot more R/T now!

[starrysummer.livejournal.com]

I think you did a really nice job with this. You've captured both their characters really well and also very realistically-- including their strengths, weaknesses, unique challenges they face. Definitely illuminates why so many people feel that they would work well together.

[violet_quill]

Aww, thank you! I'm glad I didn't put either of them up on a pedestal too much. ;)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Excellent essay! I had never even considered this pairing until I read one of your fics, honestly, and the more I explore it, the more it seems plausible.

You shed such insight into their characters! I will definitely be referring to this essay when I write Tonks or Remus into any of my fics. Thank you so much!

[violet_quill]

Thank you! And it's definitely nice to have more Remus or Tonks in one's fics. ;)

[moonlitwoods.livejournal.com]

...
The essay turned out very well, Violet. Thank you so much for taking it on and doing such a terrific job of it. Like I said on your LJ, I appreciate being able to contribute and that you put up with all of my questions, suggestions, and nagging is-it-done-yets. :)

I love Remus and Tonks, have I mentioned that?
...

[violet_quill]

I'm so glad you liked it! *glomps* You were incredibly helpful; it totally would not have turned out this well without you.

Remus/Tonks, yay! I want to start writing a fic with them RIGHT NOW.

[elven-werewolf.livejournal.com]

*Feels happy* Go you! It's nice to see a really well-written essay about anything to do with HP. Especially about Remus and Tonks - I support this 'ship all the way, and you've set out all the reasons why.

I think JKR said that she does have more planned for Tonks in future books, so we can but hope...

[violet_quill]

Thank you!

And yes, there should be much more Tonks. *crosses fingers*

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

An excellent and well-supported essay! This isn't a pairing that particularly pings me, but now I understand why it's so popular.

[violet_quill]

Thanks so much! I think this pairing is kind of like Ron/Hermione, in that a lot of people really don't like it (me, for one, on the R/H), but can see why it makes some sense in canon.

[dreamcoat-mom.livejournal.com]

This is excellent - I am a newly minted Remus/Tonks shipper, and this is just what I needed to understand why it all appeals so much. Thanks for a wonderfully compelling essay!
-Mary

[violet_quill]

Thank you! And yay for newly minted shippers; welcome aboard. :-D

[shoeless-girl.livejournal.com]

This is great :)
It's fantastic how you've analysed why exactly this pairing works. I don't read a lot of it in the fandom, but I definately think JKR is going there in canon - like you've said, she seems to have been setting it up from the moment we meet Tonks.
Will check out some of the recs later too.
Thanks for writing!

[violet_quill]

Thank you! And you should definitely check out the recs; they're awesome. :)

[gutterqueen.livejournal.com]

As a Harry/Tonks shipper myself, I've always wondered why this pairing appealed to so many, when I just didn't see it. Thank you for explaining it, adding quotes, etc. I might even go read a R/T fic now.

[violet_quill]

Thank you! I actually have a Harry/Tonks fic in the works at the moment, but it's something I've never tried writing before. Not much of it out there, either! I don't suppose you have something to recommend? :) (I'm such an equal opportunity shipper, I don't believe in OTPs, hehe)

And you should definitely read some R/T.

[sunshyndaisies.livejournal.com]

Incredible essay, and I am very, very honored to have been included in your recommendations :).

[violet_quill]

Thanks! And - hehe, maybe people will poke you to write more now. :-D

[scribbulus-ink.livejournal.com]

Awww, you recced my story -- that makes me all warm and fuzzy. :) I've only written the one, even though I like the pairing. I picked up on a Remus/Tonks vibe after reading OotP, so I'd be happy if JKR brought them together in canon. Remus needs someone, and if it can't be Snape... ;)

Good job on the essay! :)

[violet_quill]

I'm glad you liked it!

And I actually just read that story because it was on someone's rec list so obviously I had to read it 'cause it's you, and I almost died of the cuteness. :)

[lyndalynn.livejournal.com]

excellent job- great points! I'm just ever-so-happy to find that there are others who believe in my favorite ship!

[violet_quill]

Thank you! Long live the ship. :)

[dreamkeeper77.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on such a wonderful essay! Remus/Tonks is my favorite pairing aside from Ron/Hemione and I just love how well you explained it. It is all made so clear. I often have a hard time explaining to people when they ask me why I love this pairing so much--I usually can't get my jumbled thoughts together, but now I have reference! With so many in the fandom shipping Remus/Sirius and theshoeboxproject being so popular, I'm so glad to have found this.

Wonderful Job! :)

[dreamkeeper77.livejournal.com]

Oops! that bad username was suppose to be The Shoebox Project. (Can you tell I don't read it? ;) )

[noblevyne.livejournal.com]

I do believe you just verbalised everything that I cannot say as Remus/Tonks shipper. Whenever someone asks me why I think it's going to be canon, I usually end with the 'just a gut feeling response', now I can just direct them to this fantastic essay, lie back and watch their reactions.

I'm always all a titter when I discover other 'Shippers such as myself, do you mind if I friend you? (And I'm still not sure what the proper etiquette is regarding 'friending', so this is quite possibly very rude, in which case, sorry.)

[violet_quill]

I'm glad you liked it!

And no, you're not being rude at all. :) Friend away, and welcome aboard! You'll find a mishmash of ships, but definitely some R/T goodness as well.

[reila.livejournal.com]

I was pointed this way by the_portkey. :) I, myself, am a Remus/Sirius shipper... I really love that pairing for many reasons. BUT I also like Remus/Tonks when it's really well written, mainly the_portkey's fic. I was telling Rox, that I actually sometimes think about R/S and then once Sirius died, him turning to Tonks (since I feel she has a lot of qualities that Sirius has) for comfort. Now, I'm not saying Remus would use Tonks as a subsititute Sirius, because, well that wouldn't be Moony's style, eh? :) But I'm just saying, that I can see the potential of Remus and Tonks as a couple. I really love Moony, and the more I read OotP, the more Tonks grows on me. She wasn't really my favorite character the first time I read OotP, because I was so into Sirius and Remus and the Trio... but once I explored other characters a little bit deeper, I really enjoyed them and loved their characters.

Anyway, i'm kind of rambling, but the basic point I'm trying to get to, is this: As a Remus/Sirius shipper, I really saw your points of R/T very clearly! I think you did an excellent job! Very interesting and very full of details to support your ideas!

PS. I hope I made some sort of sense above. haha. :)

[moonlitwoods.livejournal.com]

...
Oh how I love thee Fair!Julia. :) Thanks for the nice comment about my story (again!) and for reading the essay with an open mind. I knew you would. *squidge* And yes, violet_quill did an excellent job.
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[uponadream.livejournal.com]

I'm not a Remus/Tonks or Remus/Sirius shipper, I usually do not ship Remus with anyone. But this is a very good essay for Remus/Tonks. I've always been curious how people saw Remus/Tonks and this helps explain it a lot for me, so thank you for that. They have many wonderful qualities that would work quite well together. Some I never noticed before.

This bit of fanfic:
"You spend three nights a month locked away from the world," she whispered. "And I haven't any idea what my real face ought to look like. We both hide. Neither of us got to choose."

Really shows how well Remus and Tonks would work out, if JKR went that way. I still don't really know what I ship with Remus, but this was a good essay. Wonderful!

[violet_quill]

Thank you! And you should definitely read Amid My Solitude (where that quote comes from) if you're interested in R/T at all; I'd venture to say it's the best out there.

[woodface]

Very nice essay, with some very nice arguments. I must admit that while reading the OotP, I could see the pairing and was quite excited about it.

I do hope that Rowling takes the pairing further in the books.

[violet_quill]

Thank you! I really hope so as well. :)

And I like your icon!