* Unrequited Love: Tonks is deeply in love with Remus Lupin, but he doesn't reciprocate her feelings. He is hesitant due to his werewolf nature and the potential danger it poses to her.
* Lupin's Choice: Lupin has chosen to be with Nymphadora Tonks's mother, Andromeda, who is a pure-blood witch and a member of the Black family. This further fuels Tonks's frustration and anger.
* Emotional Turmoil: Tonks is struggling with her unrequited love, the rejection, and the emotional turmoil it causes. This leads to her acting out and behaving in a volatile manner, which is unusual for her normally cheerful personality.
Tonks's anger at the beginning of the book is a manifestation of her unrequited love and the frustration it causes. It sets the stage for her complex relationship with Lupin throughout the story.