"You're leaving."
"I am."
"But why?" Her ex-lover looked up at her.
"You know why Tonks."
She looked at the man before her. Just two years ago, he was a frail boy with no training. The burden of the whole world on his shoulders. Now, he looked like a man with a purpose. A man who would never stop until his goals were fulfilled, no matter the pain and scars.
"You just saved all our lives. If you didn't care, then you would not have fought that monster."
"Wrong." His words made her look at him in surprise.
"He was an obstacle. I would have never been able to live my life in peace if he was constantly hounding me. He had to go."
"Harry, please stay. If not not for me, then for your friends."
"I have no friends. They abandoned me after fifth year." It didn't slip past her that he didn't bother to mention her.
"I thought we were friends." She tried a different path.
He resumed his packing. "Only in your eyes. Congratulations on you and Black." Her mouth dried up instantly.
"I am not in a relationship with my cousin." A truth, but one that hid a lie.
"The drunken rutting session you had together last week. You are pregnant. I can feel the small life starting to form." He didn't even look up at her.
"But can you feel what is in my heart?" She whispered, and he stopped again.
"You're a year too late, Tonks."
"But I_" He held up his hand.
"A year ago, I believed that you did love me. That 'love will weather all' speech Dumbledore gave me was true. I had found the love of my life. I was fighting for you then." He face remained emotionless, but she had seen it too close too many times. He was torn.
"Harry." A sigh of acceptance escaped her lips.
"It wasn't love that killed Voldemort. Not my hate either. It was the pain. The sadness I felt when I saw you leave. When you kissed Charlie and told him he was your real love. I was just a job."
He looked deep in her eyes. Though all she saw in those orbs of green fire was weariness, she couldn't stop the familiar chill down her spine.
"Your heart, Tonks. That was the reason for my hope once. No matter what, I have your heart. I prayed to the heavens that you'd listen. I'm glad you decided to, even if it was at the last moment."
"Before you go Harry. Please, say my name. Like you used to. Just one more time. Please. I want to hear you say it." She pleaded, desperate for a last chance.
He slung his backpack over his right shoulder. "I never called Voldemort by any name other than his birth name or the cowardly one he had chosen for himself. I was never afraid. But I fear that name Tonks. I fear if I say it my heart will realize it's broken beyond repair. I won't be able to take it."
He came over to her. One simply watched the other, their grief and pain shared by the mutual silence. He gave her a sad smile before he disappeared in a dull flash of flames.
"Goodbye, Nym."
A lone tear slipped her eye as she stood there alone.
"Goodbye, my firebird."