Ginny tried to block out the questions from the paparazzi. These memorial services were hard enough without the constant prying. She felt someone grip her wrist, and tensed for a moment before realizing that Tonks was ushering her through the crowd. In another moment, both of them were in the green room with Seamus, Neville, and Luna.

"Another year," Seamus said. "Anyone feel like it gets harder?"

"They want us to keep grieving, mate," Neville said, slapping him on the back. "I have to get back to Hogwarts."

"Yes, Professor," all of them said, small smiles gracing their features for the first time that morning.

"Very funny. Stop by Hogsmeade on Saturday. Hannah and I will let you try the new menu at the Three Broomsticks."

They said their goodbyes, but Ginny didn't leave immediately like the rest. She flung herself into one of the chairs, rubbing her eyes.

"It's still rough, innit?"

"Hey Tonks."

Tonks sat next to her, and smiled. "You still miss him."

"I…." Ginny trailed off, trying to find the words. "I miss him. I'll always miss him. But he died for us - and I… I know he wouldn't want me to be miserable. Not that I am. I just…. I wish people didn't expect me to…." She stopped, feeling horrible for the feelings rushing through her.

Tonks wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "No matter what the press thinks - it's okay to move on. You're right. He would want you to. You two weren't married, and you don't have to play the grieving widow for the public. It's been five years. Get back out there and see what happens."

Ginny snorted. "I'd love to, actually. Know any handsome wizards or gorgeous witches who'd like to date the Late Great Harry Potter's neurotic widow-girlfriend?"

Tonks laughed and hugged her. "Five bucks says I do."

Ginny didn't think too much about the conversation for the next week. She was training with the Appleby Arrows, and practices and media slots were more than occupying her time. But the following Monday, as she was making breakfast, there was a soft tap at her window. She looked up to see Archimedes, Tonks's owl.

Ginny, the note said, remember when you asked if I could set you up with someone (roughly paraphrased)? Well there's this bloke in my department called August Smythe. I know the name sounds like he'll be a douchebag, but he's really amazing. Anyway, he's looking for something casual, and I asked if he'd be up to a double date this weekend. Imogen from the Department of Magical Games and Sports just asked me for drinks, and I'm terrified. Sorry to offer you up as a sacrifice, but you did say you'd like to give dating a shot, and this way we'll have each other to drink with if things go pear-shaped. Let me know if you can go. -T

Thus it was, that Saturday night, that Ginny found herself making forced small talk with a terribly handsome young Auror, as Tonks tried her damnedest to chat up Imogen from Games and Sports. Neither endeavor was going very well.

"I think I'm going to get us some more drinks," August said.

"I'll help," Imogen told him.

When they were a safe distance away, Tonks smacked herself in the face. "We're not too good at this, are we?"

"Not at all," Ginny groaned. She looked back at their dates. "Though I don't think they're too fussed…."

Tonks glanced over to the bar where August and Imogen seemed to now be having a grand old time - drinks long forgotten. "Well...that's that, then."

Ginny slid over and put her head on Tonks's shoulder. "I vote you and I just marry each other, and forget about this dating business."

Tonks's hair turned bright pink as she laughed.

In the flashing strobe lights of the music lounge, neither witch noticed the flashbulb that went off. So both were surprised the next morning when they opened the Prophet to see themselves cuddled up on page one. The headline read: Widows of the Second War Find Solace in Each Other. The first bit read, "Mousy brown for years, the hair of one Nymphadora Tonks is finally brightening again. Pink - the color of love and happiness - as Ginny Weasley rests her head on her shoulder…."

Ginny stood gaping at the paper, until a hazy wolf floated down next to her.

"At least they don't seem against the idea of us moving on," Tonks's voice said. "Meet you after your practice for coffee?"

Ginny smiled, and sent her Patronus back with, "It's a date."