A/N: Not mine, belongs to Jo, etc.

She looked up, her heart sinking. "But what?"

It was impossible.

"Remus?"
He came back to reality, realizing he had spaced out, thinking about what she would have to go through if he accepted her love. He sighed. "I can't, Tonks. I'm sorry."
She pulled away from him, looking hurt. "W-why?"
He frowned, hoping she realized how it was breaking his heart to tell her this. "Tonks, do you realize what would happen? I'm already hated by most of the populace. Because of what I am. We can't. You'd be hated too. I can't let that happen to you."
He could tell she was close to tears; she must have been planning this for a long time, and he was forced to reject her, no matter how much he wished to do just the opposite—welcome her into his life.

She closed her eyes, sighing, fighting back her emotions. "I don't care. I don't care how they'll look at me. I want to be with you."
He shook his head, and as a tear made its way over her cheek, he felt his own hot tears forming. "I can't let you."
And there, in the dim, dank interior of the Shrieking Shack, she stepped forward, kissing him lightly on the lips. She backed away after a few moments, staring at the floor. They were silent for several minutes, and then she sighed, looking up. "Come on," she said hollowly. "They'll be waiting for us."
He nodded, silent, and they made their way out of the Shack, into the tunnel, and out into the sunlight.

The Marauders could tell that both of them had been crying. But they knew neither wanted to talk about it. So they stayed silent.

A/N: This was really short. But it accomplished what I wanted it to accomplish. Thesistersblack4998, ChickenButt, Katie Riddle (Sorry it deleted your user on the last chapter), and ThatSuperHotSexyBookWorm, thanks for reviewing!

I'm going to end up doing one more chapter when Tonks is school age, then skip to an Order meeting, and start the "adult" portion of the story there. Hope you enjoy! R&R!