Don't Give Up

Disclaimer: I don't own HP

As Minerva walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, she spotted a particularly gloomy Nymphadora Tonks. She sighed, made a decision that had been plaguing her for weeks, and approached the younger witch, "Tonks?" The Auror looked around at Minerva, and she continued, "May I have a word?"

Tonks nodded mutely and followed Minerva to her office. Hermione Granger saw this and wondered what was going on. Inside Minerva's office, Minerva offered Tonks a seat and a ginger newt. Tonks sat, but did not take the proffered ginger newt.

Minerva surprised Tonks by not going behind her desk, but instead kneeling beside the depressed witch's chair. Tonks looked at her, confused. Minerva said, "Don't give up on him."

Tonks was bewildered, "I didn't tell you about my problem, did I?"

"No," Minerva answered, "But you should've. I would understand better than anyone."

"What do you mean? How did you find out?" Tonks asked.

"I recognize myself in you. I did not give up when the man I loved told me it was too dangerous to be with him. He gave up trying to convince me of this and we are married. You mustn't give up on Remus; he will eventually come around."

"You're married – to whom? How long have you been…?" Tonks had a million and one questions that momentarily distracted her from the sting of rejection.

"I have been married for forty years," Minerva smiled, ignoring the second question.

Tonks wasn't giving up, "To whom?"

Minerva sighed and stared at Tonks pointedly over her square spectacles, "Guess."

"So, I know him if I can guess… Is he younger or older?" Tonks asked.

"Older."

Tonks thought for a moment, thinking of the people she knew that were older than Minerva. Then she remembered a rumor from her school days, "Albus Dumbledore!"

"That was faster than I expected," Minerva admitted with a small smile.

"Being caught up with rumors in school has its benefits," Tonks shrugged, a slight smile of her own forming in response, although it didn't quite meet her eyes.

"You'll have to keep this quiet," Minerva warned.

"Of course," Tonks said.

"Now remember what I said: don't give up on him," Minerva reminded.

"I won't," Tonks assured the older witch, smiling her first real smile in days. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Minerva smiled slightly.

Both witches stood and headed for the door. Minerva opened it for Tonks and the latter walked out, happier than she'd been in a while. Hermione looked between the two, wondering what had happened in that office to change Tonks's mood so quickly. She would never know.