A/N: Oh the evils of plot bunnies! I've never written Remus/Tonks before so this could be terribly disastrous. I hope not.

Summary: Remus never returned to his wife after the confrontation with Harry, five years later Remus & Tonks meet again at Harry's wedding. NT/RL. Rather AU.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Unfortunately. Although I have been promised my very own Remus for my birthday.

Remus sighed, glancing down at the piece of parchment in his hand one last time. They wanted him here. They had invited him. He would stay for the ceremony and then leave, they wouldn't need to speak. It would fine. He pushed open the door to the small church cautiously, sliding into a chair in the back row and hoping to remain unnoticed.

He spotted her, of course, almost instantly. Her hair was a vibrant pink and she had a smile on her face as she put her arm around the small boy next to her. His hair was a bright blue and he chuckled softly to himself. No one noticed and he watched them for a few more minutes before tearing his eyes away and focusing on the front of the church. Harry appeared to be staring at something on the floor, Remus was sure he was nervous. He looked just as James had done the day he married Lily. Handsome, happy, but incredibly nervous.

Ron was his best man, that he had expected, he stood by his side, patting his shoulder and reassuring him quietly. Remus smiled as he noticed the gold band on the red head's finger. Married. His eyes flicked around the room, wondering who.

The music started and the two men turned, he didn't need to question any more as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle and Ron's eyes fixed on Hermione, a bright grin on his face. Ginny entered then, looking beautiful, it showed on Harry's face. But whilst everyone's eyes were on the bride Remus felt his own drifting towards his wife. He span his own wedding ring around his finger and watched Nymphadora and their son for much of the ceremony, occasionally returning his eyes to his best friend's son, remembering why he was there.

He stood as soon as they had left, hoping to escape without being noticed but he felt a hand on his arm, turning cautiously he was met by the face of Bill Weasley, his expression was fixed, he did not look angry but nor did he look happy to see the older man. They left the church together and were some time away before Bill spoke, Remus had decided against trying to leave.

"You'll be coming to the reception?" Bill asked, although Remus got the distinct impression he wasn't actually giving him a choice. He looked at him again, almost critically. Remus could do nothing except ask the question he had wanted answered for five long years.

"Is he…is my son….is he…?" He trailed off, the thought was unbearable, he had had torturous nightmares, watching a small boy, a perfect combination of himself and Dora, transform into a monster, the agonising pain searing through him, his little face covered in tears as he cried for his father, a father who wasn't even there.

"No. He's fine. Come on." Remus followed the younger man silently, perhaps if he went to the reception, said hello to Harry and Ginny, and then left, he would be able to avoid Dora seeing him. He apparated without a word to Bill, the reception was to be held at The Burrow.

Taking a deep breath he began to walk across the garden, stopping only when a small figure crashed into him. Looking downwards he was met by the face of his son, who stared up at him. He grinned. "Sorry mister." Looking at Remus for a few moments, concentrating deeply as his father's eyes remained fixed to him, his features suddenly began to change until he looked the image of Remus. He giggled and ran off again, in hot pursuit of a small girl with long blonde hair.

Remus froze for a few seconds, unsure of what to do next and unable to move, captivated and shocked by the sudden interaction with his only child. The child, he thought regretfully, that he had walked out on. Eventually he found himself capable of movement and scanned the garden, after a while his eyes fell on Harry, his arm around his new wife, talking animatedly to Kingsley Shacklebolt. He cautiously approached them. "Harry."

It was a few moment before Harry responded, he looked shocked, his eyes roved over Remus who was looking thinner and more shabby than ever. Harry, Remus thought as he surveyed him, had changed a lot since he had last seen him. But then, the last time he had laid his eyes on this boy he had been seventeen, fresh from battle. They had embraced, like family, but Harry's expression had turned cold when Remus had refused his suggestion that he return to Tonks, to Teddy. Their last words had been brief, unemotional, just goodbye, take care of yourself. As it was now, Harry looked torn between throwing his arms around his last remaining father figure and telling him to get out. He did neither. "Remus…" He broke away from his wife, kissing her cheek softly and leaving her to continue their conversation with Kingsley. Remus smiled slightly.

"You…I'm very proud of you." Harry nodded.

"Thanks for coming."

"I thought someone should be here. James, Lily, Sirius… you needed someone."

"I've needed someone for the past five years." Remus could not mistake the bitterness in the young man's tone and simply nodded apologetically.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not me you should be apologising too, not really." Remus followed Harry's gaze to where Dora was sat talking to Hermione, she looked simply beautiful and his breathing hitched for a moment, his eyes glazing over slightly, but he refused to give into his emotions and turned back to Harry.

"I'm sure you'll make a better husband than I ever was."

"All that requires is not leaving." Guilt flooded Remus and he yet again he chose just to nod. This boy standing before him had been through so much more than he had, and yet he was a much better person. He had regretted walking out on Dora from the second he had closed the door, but he convinced himself it was for the best, that he should stay away, because it was better for Dora, would be better for their baby. The more time that passed, the harder returning became, until he convinced himself they wouldn't need him, they would be fine without him, that she would have moved on.

"You were right Harry… I was a coward."

"You were."

"Anyway. Let's not talk about me. Look at you. Married. When I met you I would never have expected it. Thirteen years old, barely came up to my shoulder."

"And promptly passed out in front of you."

"Did you really? I didn't notice."

"No, don't suppose you would have, I did it ever so subtly you see." They shared a smile, and at that moment they did embrace, not with the paternal stance Remus had adopted when Harry was at Hogwarts, but with friendship, with brotherhood almost. The unspoken words, Remus' guilt, Harry's forgiveness. He smiled and patted Harry on the shoulder again, wondering if it was possible for him to get any prouder.

He turned when he heard Dora speak, loud and clear, for the first time in five years, her voice sending a shiver right through him.

"Teddy, what're you doing? Why do you look like…oh…" She had noticed him. Her eyes had glanced past her son to wear he stood and they met his. A large number of people held their breath as she looked over at him. "Remus…"

A/N: If you've read it please review!

I apologise if anyone seemed out of character, the idea wouldn't leave me alone so I had to write it but I do struggle to write Remus.