Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Their bodies pressed tightly together, and Tonks could clearly feel the strength in his arms and the solid warmth of his chest.
A distinctive scent lingered at her nose, leaving her mind blank.
Her cheeks suddenly flushed as red as ripe apples, and her short orange hair instantly turned a shy shade of peach pink.
"Careful."
Lupin's voice sounded above her head, low and gentle.
He did not let go immediately, instead enjoying this moment of quiet and closeness.
"These little components are harder to handle than a whole pack of Grindylows put together."
In that charged silence, a runic stone panel on the wall marked "Sector A-1" suddenly flashed with multicoloured light and began playing cheerful, hymn-like music, all out of tune.
"Ah!"
Like a startled rabbit, Tonks sprang out of Lupin's arms. Blushing, she pointed at the panel and stammered:
"Wh-what's that?"
Looking at her scarlet face and her adorable peach-pink hair, Lupin gave a helpless smile.
He explained:
"We're running the final pressure test. We received word that some of the youngsters would be making their move tonight."
He pointed at the panel, which was still playing its off-key music, and his smile deepened.
"It seems we have our first lucky winner. That's the Cedric Diggory Rainbow Fart Bubble Generator, a light-and-noise pollution trap designed specifically to disrupt stealth and, incidentally... provide a little entertainment."
Hearing that absurd name, Tonks imagined the scene-a handsome Hufflepuff champion running from countless rainbow-coloured, musical bubbles-and burst into uncontrollable laughter again.
She rocked back and forth with laughter, almost in tears.
Before long, another panel, marked "Sector B-2," lit up as well. This time, it emitted the creaking sound of kelp being pulled taut, along with a very faint giggling sound, as though