Disclaimer: don't own anything.

Uh…okay, I'm scared. It's all my own work now (except the funeral, of course. Yada yada yada) so I'm going on my own plotlines…. uh. Hold on tight, kids. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Sorry for not updating as quickly as I usually do…I went away and came back to a hell of a lot of homework…sorry…

The funeral had been set for a few days later and until then, no matter how selfish it seemed, Remus and I were going to enjoy our time together. That, and we were going to patrol Hogwarts, supervise the children's departure on the train and perhaps in the midst of all this I would find the time to slip back into the ministry and gain a head start on the whereabouts of the death eaters.

Remus and I parted ways the morning after Dumbledore had died. He was going up to the infirmary to see how he could help with Bill and I was set the grisly job of returning the castle to its prior state.

In the process of repairing the ceiling beneath the astronomy tower I heard faint footsteps approaching me from the steps at the bottom of the corridor. I paused, wiped the tears straining my cheeks and turned around to face my companion.

Fleur, of all people, stood in the archway looking apprehensive as she took a few hesitant steps forward. I tired to look politely interested as she took in her surroundings with a slightly open mouth. The blood, the rubble…the atmosphere the room contained was overwhelming. I hadn't wanted to return here, to be faced with this job, but someone had to do it.

"Tonks, I was wondering eef I may speak with you." She swallowed, she looked closed to tears and I was sharply reminded that her fiancé was in the hospital wing, bitten, and to her it must have seemed like the end of the world.

"Sure, what did you want to talk about?" I sat down on one of the fallen pillars and Fleur slowly joined me.

"You 'ave experience with ze werewolves," she began suddenly, and I hardly had time to recover myself. "You 'ave been zer for Lupin on ze full moons. I was thinking…" she blinked away her tears and sniffed in an act that seemed so unlike her. "If per'aps you could 'elp me. Prepare me for ze transformation…"

I gaped at her. This was Fleur, the woman who had been the bane of the Weasley's existence for over a year now, the very woman who had entranced every man to the point of me hating her, and she was asking me for help like I was some sort of equal or something.

She was close to tears now and I was getting desperate. I gently wrapped my arms around her shoulders and drew her to me where she sobbed hysterically onto my shoulder; all the while I sat uncomfortably patting her back and making shushing noises.

"You know, it really isn't that bad," I said as gently as I could manage without freaking out. "Bill may not even be a true werewolf. And if he is, look at Remus. He lives a perfectly normal life except for that one night a month. That's all it is, twelve nights a year you won't be with him. Or there's the wolfsbane potion, it's tastes awful but it means you can spend the night with him. He'll just be a little furrier than usual."

I heard her laugh and she straightened up, all composed and elegant once more to the point you couldn't have told she had been crying even if I'd told you. "You really theenk Bill will be alright?" she asked in that tranquil, floating voice of hers.

"Absolutely." I nodded, smiled and stood up again. I raised my wand to blast a pile of rubble into oblivion but Fleur swooped down on me like she had done for so many of the boys in my life.

A quick peck on each cheek and she was gone, her beautiful voice echoing down the hallway.

"I 'ope you can find the time off work to come to ze wedding, Tonks."

-

Growing up, I hated my hair. It was dull, it was boring, and it was everything I tried so hard not to be.

On the second morning following His death, I crawled out of bed reluctantly and slipped into a steaming bath. I could see Remus through the crack in the door, still wrapped up in the bed sheets asleep. Despite everything, the death and the mindless slaughter, I felt at peace, happy almost. Better than I had felt in months…an entire year.

He stirred and one brown eye spied me watching him. He pulled himself up drowsily and smiled through his exhaustion. "Good morning Nymphadora."

Nymphadora. The name had never sounded so beautiful.

I grinned and heaved myself from the water, wrapping my body in a towel in one fluent motion and stepped into my room at the three broomsticks.

"Good morning." I returned, setting one knee on the mattress and kissing his nose. "I have to go into the office early. Sorry if I woke you."

"It was worth waking up." He smiled and raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting into my hairline. "I see your appearance is back to normal."

I tugged at my hair and ran to the mirror. Pink…

My hair was pink, and it was brighter than ever and it was all Remus's fault.

-

The funeral was heartbreaking, worse than anything I'd ever witnessed before. The sun was shining, reflecting off the lake and the day was beautiful, more beautiful than it should have been.

Remus and I sat towards the back and I cradled his hands in my lap. I had avoided duties today, I had wanted to attend as a friend and former pupil, but even as I sat down I found myself scanning the crowd, coming to the realization that if someone were to strike they could wipe out some of the most important and influential members of the wizarding world.

A few nodded to us as they passed to gain seats and amongst them were Rufus Scrimgeour, who made a point of greeting me like an old friend. It was pitiful, really, that he had to stoop so such lengths merely to appear polite and in touch with his community.

Everyone sat and the service began. Remus tightened his grip on my fingers. Everyone was crying all around us. A few people got up to speak but I neither heard nor cared what they were saying. I knew who Albus Dumbledore was and I would never need reminding of how great he was.

The merpeople in the lake gave their greeting and the centaurs appeared at the edge of the forest. His body burst into flames and the centaur's let loose a spray of arrows and it was over so suddenly. I looked to Remus and he nodded, his face tired and pale, and we stood, hand in hand.

"I have to make sure all the kids make it onto the train," I said dully and he nodded again.

I drifted away from him, he didn't offer a kiss as I left and I didn't want one. I felt that if just one person were to touch me I would break.

Hogsmeade was unusually quiet. I didn't speak to anyone as I herded the children onto the Hogwarts express and briefly I saw Ginny and Harry near by, but Hermione and Ron were nowhere to be seen. I didn't wave; I merely nodded through the crowd and helped a first year heave her trunk off the platform.

-

Flashback.

"Wait here, miss Tonks. The headmaster will see you shortly," Professor Mcgonagall sighed tiredly. "When will you learn, Nymphadora?"

I rolled my eyes at her retreating back and stood in front of the large oak door. Charlie would be waiting for me outside, no doubt. Probably hiding behind the statue at the end of the hall. That is, if Mcgonagall hadn't caught him.

The door opened and Dumbledore smiled down at me. He gestured with his hand and I followed in after him.

He sat down at his desk, folded his hands in front of him and asked, "So what colour was it this time, Nymphadora?"

I grinned. "Lime green."

"How delightful." Dumbledore straightened his glasses and shook his head. "Although, I'm afraid it's school policy to remind you that your hair is to remain only natural colours…"

"Ah, I've been thinking about that!" I said happily. "It is my natural colour, if you think about it! I can naturally change my hair colour…" I waited eagerly for his response.

Dumbledore laughed. "That is most defiantly a fair point, Nymphadora. But I still believe you are retrained to black, brown or blonde in lesson time."

I rolled my eyes and stood up, straightening out my school robes. "Yes sir. I'll try."

"And I would like to make a point that my favourite colour is violet, although it bares no point to the conversation." He winked. "I believe Mr. Weasley will be waiting for you, you'd better not keep him long."

I nodded reluctantly and turned from the room. As I left I squeezed my eyes shut and my hair turned a bright violet.

-

Uh…no. Don't like that.

Owell, it has been a week since I last wrote anything. Think I'm rusty. Guess I'll just have to practice, won't I?

Lupinslady…ah, no problem. I'm so sorry I didn't update in so freaking long. Aww, all those kisses made me feel all floaty!

Dramaqueen04….hmm, I might, I might not. No idea, really. Depends how I feel, but so many people have asked me to I guess I probably should! Thanx so much! Xox.

Pinkpixie37….ouch, that could hurt. But thanks anway!

Mariyana….131 pages! WOW. That's good going, I feel all giggly now. Nice one on sleeping in class, guess I'll be doing that too, hehe.

Jumphighly…yay, I'm safe. Goody. Uh…I'm scared. I'm in uncharted territory, most of the story has been pretty much made up on the spot so far so…uh…my brain better start working real good.

Deillishangel…of course I'll continue it, where I get to is another matter…thanx for reviewing!

Fawkes309….-cries- I'm so scared! I have to use my own brain power to make a plotline now…eek.

Dancer8428….no, I have no freaking idea what to do. Having a minor panic attack at the moment. Oh no….

Celi…yay, cuteness, always a good thing!

Little tussi…brain…work….argh….this took so long to update, I'm so ashamed….

Roguesirius…aww, ronniekins. Stupid poisoning, someone has to pay for that. Glad you enjoyed it.

Wandless….yeh, well, I had no plotline and I was getting bored, and people were telling me they were getting bored, so I made an executive descision and made the skip. That chapter was hard to write, the hardest yet. There's only so many ways you can say "I'm upset." But I think you're right, it needed more description. Owell.

Princessdza….yeh, I tried adding more stuff but It didn't feel right. Owell. I don't think I'll ever find my true love. Mostly because it's ME. Good things don't happen to me. Besides, if I found my true love, I'd spend less time writing! Haha! Bad for you, good for me.

Godsgracie12…no, no. thank YOU.

The female nerd…there's always something to look forward to in my story…I'm so glad she's over the whole depressive thing. It was depressing to read and depressing to write….onto the FLUFF. And the uncharted territory…uh…aw crap.

Autumnbreeze25….oh no she's HYPER! Aww! Run for your lives! You done the next chapter yet? (I'm kidding. Hehe)

Katesmaster….AWW! thanx! No ones said that, a few people slagged it off, a lot said it was good, but only you said it ws the best! Thanx! It's not the last chapter, please restrain Errol. Hehe…update on Friday, eh? It's uh…-cough-…Sunday. Please don't hurt me.

YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD BE USEFUL? IDEAS. GOT ONE? GIMME GIMME GIMME! I'M DESPERATE. HELP A BOGRAT IN NEED AND…

REVIEW, PLEASE. XOX.