The cool night air rushed to greet him.
Taking a deep breath, Remus headed into the grounds. She had to be somewhere… he walked quickly round the now deserted, silent grounds. Not even the cricket's chirped.
It was hopeless.
Remus couldn't find her anywhere. She'd probably gone back to Hogsmede- or even London- by now. Sighing, Remus sat on the lakes edge, watching the reflection of the stars in its rippled, dark surface.
Something else joined the stars.
A giant, four legged creature gambled across the water, its silvery paws not making a single ripple on its surface. Remus stared, mouth agape. It was like looking in a mirror.
A dark figure emerged from behind a near by tree. The silver werewolf changed paths, dissolving in to a fine silver mist as the figure reached out to it. The figure sighed loudly, before making their way over to Remus.
The Stars were reflected in her dark eyes as well.
Tonks sat next to Remus, staring out across the lake. A cool wind rushed through her loose clothes. Remus had only just realized how deep she'd let herself get, if even her patronus was mimicking him now…
"It sucks, doesn't it?" she murmured.
Remus glanced up at the sky, where the hazy form of the dark mark was still visible. He nodded. "I wish there was something I could do."
"There is; you can stop blaming yourself."
Remus turned to look at Tonks. "I don't think we're talking about the same thing here…"
She smiled weakly. "We're not."
Remus bit his lip. He seemed to have picked that habit up from her. "Look, I am sorry about making a scene back there, but it's for the-"
"Social suicide never was very high up on my to-do list."
"I had no idea you were so keen to die for me," Remus joked.
"Trust me; I can hardly believe it myself."
They sat in silence, watching the small ripples on the lakes surface as the giant squid propelled itself through the water. Remus had to break the silence.
"Tonks, listen to me-"
"You know me. I never listen to you." She smiled, but quickly slid off her face. "I've heard it all before." She looked back out to the water. "You know I don't care."
"If you were smart you would be running in the opposite direction."
"Let's say for arguments sake I'm not smart."
"Well, it more of a natural instinct than anything to do with your intelligence-"
"Damn it Remus, can you put me out of my misery? Just give me a straight answer!"
Remus was stunned by her bluntness.
"Err… i… i…"
"Right. I'll take that as a no then."
"No! It's just that… I'm not sure… what I mean is… I don't think you're my type." He blurted. That came out wrong. He had meant to say something along the lines of "we're not good together."
Tonks snorted. "I wonder if you'd know what your type was if it was standing right next to you." She turned to him, smiling sadly.
Remus stared into her big, dark eyes.
They were so… empty. Hollow. Remus felt a lump in his throat, he had caused this. He hated seeing her like this. In fact, he couldn't stand it. She looked about ready to up and follow in Sirius' footsteps. That was the last thing he wanted.
He moved closer. Her eyes widened.
"Fine. You want a straight answer?" he took a breath. "yes. Yes. I love you, Nymphadora. I hurt you, I know that… but I love you. And I'm willing to make up for it. Ill do anything. Just please, can you forgive me?"
Smiling, Tonks leaned forward, and pressed her lips gently against his. "You say you'll do anything?" she asked cheekily. Remus nodded, wrapping his arms round her, just glad to have her back there. "Then yes." She whispered.
The stars twinkled high above. The Dog Star Sirius seemed to glow brightest of them all.