Disclaimer: The characters of this story do not belong to me. They belong to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.

Summary: Remus and Nymphadora have a strange and tumultuous love. They are so different, and yet so similar. This is their journey, through life, love, and death. Chronicles their time from the end of the 5th novel to the 7th novel. Inspired by the song "The Poison" by The All-American Rejects.

~Endings and New Beginnings~

You were so young, and I guess I'm old. Open your eyes, and I'll keep mine closed. I prefer standing, you take your seat. I'll be wide awake, you'll be asleep.

Nymphadora Tonks slowly became aware of the distinct sounds of a hospital. She could hear the bustle of moving, the murmurs of people talking, and down the hall screams could be heard as someone got a bone re-grown. Opening her eyes slowly, she could make out the fuzzy outlines of people against the very white walls of the room. As they came into better focus, she could tell that she was seeing her mother, Remus, Mad-Eye, and Kingsley.

She was surprised to see Remus there. They were friends, but only new friends. It puzzled her, but she couldn't dwell on it very hard, because other thoughts began to swim to the top of her consciousness. She began to remember what had happened to her, and why she was in the hospital. It wasn't one of her klutzy accidents. There had been a real battle, and important people were in danger.

"Is Harry alright?" She blurted, sitting up quickly. She couldn't remember if they had gotten him out. She wracked her brain, trying to remember.

Her mother put a hand on her arm to calm her, giving a look that made her lay back down. She began to worry, because she finally recognized that everyone looked so upset. She searched the faces of her friends, begging someone to give her some information. Finally, it was Remus who spoke up.

"Harry and the other children are all safe. They are getting treated for their injuries as we speak." His voice was so somber for such happy news, and his eyes were red and puffy as though he had been crying recently. They had succeeded in their mission! What could possibly be making them all so upset?

"What's wrong, guys? Mission accomplished, right?" She felt like she was missing something, but she honestly couldn't remember. Kingsley and Remus shared a look, and Remus shook his head. Apparently, whatever was wrong was big enough that Remus didn't want to say it. Kingsley looked unsure as well. Tonks looked to her mother, who had busied herself fixing the flowers on the bedside table. It was finally Mad-Eye who answered her question.

"Sirius is dead, Tonks."

It was like being punched in the gut. The air left her lungs so fast, she felt as though she would never be able to breathe in again. The images all came flooding back at once: the spell hitting him straight in the chest, his face half-way between smile and frown, his falling backwards through that dreadful curtain. She remembered Bellatrix's cruel laugh, and Harry's scream. Everything hit her at once, but the tears just couldn't come. She was too stunned. Fate was so unkind, to take her relative from her so soon after they had been reunited. They had only begun to learn about each other, and to become friends. They had so much in common, it was just too hard to think of losing that so quickly. And poor Harry, the boy who had lost so much already. Now he had lost another family member to this dark and terrible regime.

She looked at Remus, who had also lost someone special to him. Sirius, his best friend, had only recently resurfaced after so long dubbed a criminal. At the mention of his friend's death, Remus' eyes began to water again. He whispered something to Mad-Eye, then quickly stepped out of the room. Mad-Eye said his goodbyes, pleased enough to know that Tonks would fully recover, and then followed the dejected man out of the room.

After they left, Kingsley began to fill her in on the other things she missed out on. He then told her that Dumbledore might drop in on her. He explained that ministry matters needed to be taken care of, and they could take a considerable amount of time, so it wouldn't necessarily be soon. After filling her in, he too bid her farewell. That just left her alone with her mother, who came over as soon as the room was emptied out. She grabbed her daughters hand, and gave her a stern look.

"I always worry you'll get yourself killed doing this job. I worry every day that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or one of those disgusting Death Eaters will off you. When I heard you were here, well I..." She trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Tonks nodded and patted her mother's hand, feeling guilty that she had made people worry so much.

Her mother stood up and made to leave. As she reached the door she turned back and paused. Then she put on a warm half-smile and said, "I am very proud of you, Nymphadora. So is your father. I hope you never forget that." And with that, she too disappeared out the door.

The next few hours became a haze of medi-wizards, sad thoughts, and strange musings.

This time, when she awoke she had only one visitor.

"Hello Nymphadora" Remus said in his low and thoughtful voice. He made an attempt at a half-smile when she scowled at his use of her first name. Remus was leaning against the ghostly white hospital wall, rather than sitting in one of the vacant seats in the room. She had noticed he was often like that, too humble to take advantage of the comforts that so many others took for granted. Though she knew it came from the discrimination he had faced throughout his life, she still couldn't help but feel that it was a noble and attractive trait.

"Wotcher, Remus. You ok?" She spoke softly, slightly afraid that she might upset him. He seemed to think for a moment before responding, as if he weren't sure. Or perhaps, she thought, he is holding back his emotions to make me feel better.

"Better than yesterday", he finally responded. He looked weary and sad, but not as much like he wanted to cry. "It is hard. I have lost so many friends in these past few years. Losing Sirius..." he swallowed hard, then continued, "it brings back memories of losing James and Lily, Ivy...Frank and Alice..." He stopped, clearly lost in thoughts of a far off past. Tears shone at the edges of his eyes, threatening to fall, but he blinked them away.

"Come sit down," she told him firmly, gesturing to the chair her mother had earlier occupied, which was next to her bed. "Tell me about them. I'd love to hear stories, because I've heard such good things about all of them." She hoped talking would help him. As he began to talk, things changed. He didn't look like a worn and broken man, but a vibrant and lively man trapped by his past. He laughed at some ridiculous stories of school boy tricks with his friends, shuddered with the memory of their first lost close friend, and even cried as some of the stories unfolded. They were together for so long that Tonks had lost track of time. When she yawned, Remus came out of his thoughts and looked embarrassed.

"I've talked you nearly to death. I really am getting old." He said, sighing as he stood. She held his hand lightly in her own.

"Don't worry, I enjoyed listening to you, Remus. Please visit again soon." She meant it. It felt as though they were dear old friends, for he had let her into his thoughts. She loved his stories, as well as his company.

"Alright," he agreed. A smile ghosted across his face. "I will visit you soon."

She watched him leave, wishing he didn't have to. But the need for sleep was quickly taking over. She thought of him as she drifted off for the night.