So we begin. I warn you, some things have changed slightly. Not really in this chapter, though.

Harry's face turned to Remus particularly. "- right after you'd had your son... Remus, I'm sorry -"

"I am sorry too. Sorry that I will never know him...but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand. I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life." as Remus said this, he felt a sudden... something in his chest. His senses were confused, and he felt like he was in two places at once. Then he mentally shrugged. He'd have to ignore the strange warmth spreading through his body for now. Harry needed him.

In On, Tonks had been watching carefully with the rest. The Lake had also let them listen (apparently a rare occurrence - jeez, she had a lot to learn here...)

Then Harry addressed Remus. Remus' reply made Tonks' heart ache. She wished they weren't Dead, no matter what the comforts this place (On or some odd name like that) could provide.

Tonks blinked. Her heartache felt more than figurative. And it almost felt like she was holding Remus' hand... As though she had a body. As though she was still... She cut off that train of thought immediately, but it persisted; after all, she could definitely hear things happening in There.

She turned to her dad and hugged him. "I love you, Dad. Thanks for everything."

"Thanks." he looked slightly puzzled. She turned towards the Lake again, leaving a hand on her father's arm.

She was just in time. She felt a soft tug, and as the others came back, she went.

She found herself in a misty white place. With Remus. They both looked at each other. Then they moved forwards and embraced. "Where are we?" Tonks whispered, tilting her head to look at him. Remus replied, "I don't know. Let's sit." A loveseat had suddenly appeared. It was quiet for awhile. Remus stroked Tonks' hair as he looked around, and she snuggled closer to him.

Then they heard voices.

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When Tonks disappeared and Remus failed to return to On, the group were worried. Dumbledore stood, and asked what the matter was.

Ted told him what Tonks had done before vanishing, and James mentioned how Remus had appeared distracted after speaking. Albus asked the exact words to be sure (slightly unnecessary, as he had already heard them). Then he sighed, a theory forming. "The Power of Love." he looked at them, "Remus and Nymphadora have been given a choice. Possibly they arrived here very near death but not quite fully; they were sliding into it, but have been offered a chance to change that with Love."

They stared at him. James croaked, "They need to take it. Good grief, I would've loved a chance like that."

"Stuff the 'Marauders really forever' thing. We can wait." Sirius said.

Ted muttered, "Dora's a lucky one. She's too young to be here anyway."

Lily nodded. "They should go back for Teddy."

Regulus sighed. "Yeah, it's only right they get a chance."

Then, wonder of wonders, Peter whispered, "There are too many opportunities not to be wasted."

The gang stared at him. He shrugged and half-turned towards the Lake, but kept an eye on Dumbledore.

Albus nodded. "I must go. Explanations are in order." he said, "I will pass on the messages."

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In the misty place, Remus and Tonks listened.

"...me to go back?" Harry asked.

"I think, if you choose to go back, there is a chance he may be finished for good..." Dumbledore replied. Remus and Tonks glanced at each other; what was going on here?

"Harry's not dead, obviously," Remus muttered, "But what...?" Tonks shrugged. "I have no more idea than you do."

In their whisperings, they had missed a part of the other conversation. Now they listened again, the voices sounding louder. (Nearer?)

"... Then we say goodbye for the present."

"Tell me one last thing. Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"

Tonks and Remus exchanged glances, then stood and walked towards the voices. They arrived behind Albus as Harry vanished.

Then Albus turned to them. "Greetings. Remus and Tonks; you, too, have a choice."

They started in surprise. "Like Harry?" Tonks guessed.
Remus stuttered, "But - but how?"

Albus smiled. "Love is a powerful thing." he said quietly. Tonks was confused, but Remus, after a moment, understood.

"When I said my reason for fighting, I started to feel... different." Remus said.

Tonks chipped in, "I made a wish then and started feeling...odd, too."

Albus said, "You were never dead to begin with. Just so close that you slid into On. If not for the Power of Love – itself a Magic beyond all spells - you would not have a choice." he paused. "But you do."

He looked at both of them. "If you go back, you will go back to a world of pain, suffering and illness - unlike On, as you have already seen."

Remus sighed. He understood that. Albus smiled at them. "However, I suggest you take this chance - in the words of your friends and family, 'you need to take it...I would've loved a chance like that', 'stuff the Marauders really forever thing, we can wait', '...a lucky one, [you're] too young...anyway' so you 'should go back to Teddy' -'it's only right [you] get a chance' as 'there are too many... opportunities wasted'."

Remus laughed. "Prongs and Padfoot..."

Tonks smiled. "And Dad and Lily."

Albus nodded. "Also Mr Regulus Black" (Tonks remembered seeing him at the Lake and Remus thought, 'Slypaw. Figures.') "and Mr Peter Pettigrew."

The two gasped. Remus grinned. "Goodness. Wormtail." he gave a small shake of the head, then sighed, "They can be very persuasive."

Tonks grinned. "As if I wouldn't not go back!"

Albus smiled. "Then we say goodbye for now." he extended his hand and shook each of theirs. Then he stepped back. The mist shrouded him; shrouded everything. Tonks and Remus closed their eyes...

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Albus landed back in On. The Marauders and co. looked at him. He smiled and they relaxed.

Then Ted Tonks pointed to the Lake. Madam Pomfrey was attending to two bodies which were shrouded in blue light.

"Diagnosis spell." Lily muttered. The two bodies twitched, and the matron looked relieved, then worked busier than ever.

The group relaxed knowing they were in good hands.

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