"Re-Remus, are you alright?" Tonks asked this as she cautiously approached the man huddled in the corner of the cellar. Last night had been particularly bad for Remus. It seemed that as he was aging the Wolfsbane wasn't working as well as it used to.
As Tonks was within a foot of Remus, she caught sight of his face. It, as well as the rest of him, was covered in horrible gashes, scratches, and numerous wounds, some with fresh blood, while others were dry.
"Go away, I'll be fine," although he didn't sound it. Tonks sat next to Remus and pulled out her wand.
"Oh, Remus, let me help you. What hurts the most?"
Remus sighed, and finally faced her. "My head hurts, my leg hurts, the truth hurts, love hurts, everything hurts." Tonks noticed the tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to fall, but she knew he wouldn't let them. She pulled him into a warm embrace.
"I can't fix everything Remus, but I wish you'd let me do what I can," he gave a nod of permission. "Now your head, and your leg," she stopped to mutter a healing charm. "Those I can fix, and I don't know what I can do about the truth, and I fear that everything may be out of my reach." Through her speech, Remus' features had softened slightly, and he was about to stand up to join the rest of the order upstairs when she spoke again. "And as for love,"
Tonks leaned in to kiss Remus, and was shocked when she wasn't pushed away. The kiss was soft, and didn't last long. When they broke apart, Tonks whispered something in his ear.
"Love doesn't always have to hurt."