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The ground at the cemetery was muddy. The air was cold, and few people braved the steady drizzle on what was meant to be one of the happiest days of the year. The small group of three men that were there were huddled around the graves of the Potters. There was a wreath of holly on the graves that heavily contrasted with some of the old, dying flowers of nearby headstones.

"Christmas already," Sirius spoke lightly. "What a year this has been. I remember our last Christmas. We were at your place, and Jamie, you strung up the most garish tinsel that you had managed to find. It was just us. Harry was so tiny and none of us wanted to put him down. Lily, remember how you said that next time he fussed all night and wanted to be held you were going to call us? It was a good Christmas. We all ate too much and, you know, the important people were there. Peter was off… with family and those… girls… were away but it was us. Always was us... Harry's all grown up. You'd be proud of him. Remus and I are. I still miss you. God, Jamie, I miss you! I am at work, even now, and I think 'James would love…' before I remember," Sirius' voice cracked. "That first Christmas after we got Harry I remember thinking that no matter what happened after that point we would make it," Sirius breathed in deeply. "We have. But, damn, I still miss you both."

Harry waited for a moment before he spoke, once he was sure that Sirius had finished. "I don't remember you but I am always being told that you would be proud of me. I am glad that I have Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus to tell me that. It's not the same, but, I don't wish that things were different. I always used to but now… I mean, I still want you to be alive but… Oh! I am making a mess of this!"

Sirius snorted. He pulled his coat around himself more tightly. "I think they get the idea, kid. Your dad would have been killing himself laughing."

"Oh, shut up! See what you left me to put up with!" Harry complained, but he was smiling. "He's impossible! It's been a really hard life! I am going to bring Ginny to meet you in a few weeks. It's weird, but… I… I… wish… I wish I didn't feel guilty that I am happy with Uncle Remus and Uncle Sirius..."

His guardians both turned on him at the same time but Remus reached out to the teen before Sirius could quite recover from his shock. Harry found himself pulled into a pair of strong arms.

"Silly lad," Remus murmured. "Your boy is daft sometimes, Lily, Jamie. He never mentioned feeling guilty. He doesn't need to. Harry, what if Sirius and I were to take that stand?"

"You do!" the boy mumbled against Remus' shoulder.

Sirius laughed the sound almost foreign in the cemetery. "Oh, Harry! It is totally different. Your parents loved you. Believe me; they would have wanted you to grow up with us."

"And," Remus pushed Harry back and looked into the green eyes. "And I would say we haven't scarred you too badly."

Harry laughed and felt something fall away from him. He turned back to the headstones. "No more feeling guilty. I love them," he blushed. "Even Uncle Sirius who thinks he is a bad example, which he isn't, and Uncle Remus who has some stupid idea that he isn't worthy of family. And now! Let's go open presents!"

Sirius laughed again. Christmas was never like Halloween. It was happy. There was no mourning beside the graves. Not today.

"You two go on ahead," Remus spoke softly. He ruffled Harry's hair. "I want another minute."

Sirius hesitated. "We will wait at the gate."

"I can catch—"

"Gate sounds good!" Harry interrupted.

Remus watched as his nephew and Sirius walked away, Harry throwing worried looks over his shoulder again and again.

He turned back and stared at the grey marble. "Sirius is right. I miss you, we all do. Harry shouldn't have to feel guilty about loving us," he shifted and winced. "I am showing her tonight. God, Lils, I wish you were here. I wish you could tell me it will be ok but… It might not. They are ugly marks. Sirius is the only person I know who has seen them..." Remus eyes closed as he confessed the fears that Sirius had been only able to guess at. "I am scared," he admitted. "Winter is always the worst time for me; my leg feels like it's been hit with a sledge-hammer, my limp is worse. I can see Harry looking at me," his breath was ragged. "And Sirius is starting his annual 'make sure Remus doesn't do too much'. Dammit. I hate it!" Frustration poured from him. "I miss you; I miss both of you, so much. So much. I… Sirius needs you… Harry needs you and clearly I need my little sister because…"

Remus broke off. His hands clenched helplessly. "Well," there was pain in his voice. "I could very well be back here tomorrow."

"Remus!" Sirius' voice was close behind him. Warm, concerned brown eyes surveyed him closely. "Harry sent me, he's worried."

"I'm fine," Remus brushed a few leaves off the graves.

Sirius frowned. "We love you; just don't forget that, ok? You, Harry and me. We are family. Nothing will change that."

Remus nodded. "Yes," he looked to where Harry was approaching. "And I a damned lucky to have you." He smiled. "Let's go open those presents." He moved closer to Harry and wrapped an arm around the young shoulders. "And you, young, Potter, need to stop worrying. I was merely informing your parents of the additional grey hairs that you have given me in the past twelve months and how much trouble you successfully cause."

Harry laughed and the worry that had been on his face vanished, totally reassured by his uncle. As they walked away, laughing joking, teasing. Being a family. A cool breeze swirled around them, rustling through the holly on the grave before brushing across the family that meant the world to one another.

"Mum knows that I was planning on coming here for dinner, yet she was determined to stuff me with every dish under the sun," Tonks complained as she walked into the apartment. She was the epitome of Christmas cheer, despite her whinging, with her sparkly red dress and candy-cane striped tights. She had ruby slipper-esque flats on instead of her normal boots, having given in to her mother's requests, but found it helped rather than hindered her look. She finished off the whole ensemble with mistletoe in her hair, the white berries standing out against her bright hair.

"I hadn't realised we invited one of Santa's elves to dine with us," Sirius quipped as he exited the kitchen, smirking at his cousin.

"Cheeky bugger," Tonks muttered, sticking her tongue out at him as she set down her bag of presents. "I'll take that as a compliment actually. I think I look quite fetching." She spun around and her skirt flared out.

"And I quite agree," Remus said softly as he pushed Sirius out of his way so he could greet his girlfriend. He returned her smile before raising an eyebrow at her hair. "Do you think you need such an excuse?"

"'Course not, but 'tis the season, love," Tonks laughed before tugging him closer to give him a kiss. "Merry Christmas, Remus." She gazed up at him her eyes sparkling.

"It certainly is," Remus hummed, feeling himself get into the spirit more than he had since Harry stopped believing in Santa, just because of the bright woman before him. "The food needs a little longer, and we're still waiting for people, so let's go in the living room. I have a lovely cheese plate that Sirius won't stop mocking me about."

"We're not the bloody French," Sirius grumbled as he watched Tonks flounce into the living room to greet the cheese and Harry.

"Happy Christmas, Mr Potter! You look dashing in the jumper Remus got you," Tonks smiled as she sat beside Harry on the couch.

"You look like an elf," Harry said with an expressionless face, causing Sirius to laugh behind him.

"Mocking means no presents," Tonks admonished as she reached over to ruffle his hair.

"No presents for me means no presents for you," Harry teased with a grin.

Tonks responded with a rather surprised look. "You got me a present?"

"Of course I did, we all did. They're under the tree, the ones with all the sparkly wrapping paper. Uncle Remus got most of them, obviously, but Uncle Sirius and I both got you one."

Tonks looked up at Sirius and Remus, looking touched. "Thanks, you lot," she said, beaming at them all. "Now who's going to play Santa and pass them all out? Or are we waiting on certain other individuals?"

"They will be here soon!" Harry grinned. "Ron called to tell me they were leaving and they were picking Hermione up on the way. I can't wait!"

Sirius laughed. He watched as Remus sank into a seat and Tonks curl against him. She leaned into his arms, her fingers curling around his. An act of pure adoration. He smiled, but he felt a twinge of uneasiness. Remus was frightened and the fear had passed onto his best friend. She had to see past the scars. She had to.

"This place is surprisingly festive!" Tonks looked around and laughed. "I see that not one surface escaped being 'Christmased'. It looks incredible!"

Harry grinned. "We like Christmas here, it's the best time of year! When I was a kid Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus used to take turns each year playing Santa. It was fun!"

"You were so gullible!" Sirius laughed. "But cute. What happened, Harry?"

"I grew up."

"Pity."

"You are just jealous of my charm and good lucks!"

Tonks giggled. She rested her head on Remus' shoulder. "He has a point, Sirius, Harry is way cuter then you and about twice as nice!"

"Worst cousin ever. How did you get Christmas off?"

"Worked the last three," Tonks shrugged. "I normally work and go to Mum and Dad's after but I wanted this one off. I will have to work next year though."

"Aww, how adorable, first Christmas with ickle Remmy she wants to—" A pillow landing directly in his face caused laughter to fill the air.

"You are good!" Tonks looked at her boyfriend admiringly.

"Practice," Remus mumbled. He tightened his grip on Tonks. "I'll teach you one day. Spend enough time around Sirius and it is a necessary skill."

"Prat!" Sirius grumbled as there was a knock on the door and Harry ran from the room.

"How long has it been since he saw Ginny?" Tonks wondered.

"Two days."

"Right, well, when I haven't seen you for two days then I think that I would probably have the same reaction!" Tonks twisted to look at Remus and he smiled down at her. She blushed under his steady gaze and he bent to kiss her briefly before the room filled with teenagers and noise.

Sirius decided to play Santa. All the while complaining about the fact that he was the only single person in the room. It wasn't long before each person had their presents in front of them. Sirius grinned and looked around at his family. "Right! Now, ladies first! Ginny?"

Ginny, blushing, opened one of the presents that Harry had gotten her; she caught her breath at the sight of the pretty earrings in the delicate box. "Thank you!" There was a book for her from Remus, a stationary set from Sirius, both gifts, though different styles were replicated for Hermione who was astonished at the bracelet that Ron had picked out for her, on his own. Tonks insisted that the boys go next and Harry laughed at the sight box of prank toys that Ron had given him. Ron had laughed harder when he realised that Remus and Sirius had combine their present to get him exactly the same thing. Hermione had, predictably, given both boys books, but Ron's had added to with a set of silver cufflinks.

Tonks was next and she eyed her stash gravely. "You bought far too much!" She scolded.

Remus ignored her. "Open them," he urged softly.

The first gift was the rainbow dress and striped tights. She laughed in delight and Remus received a kiss on his cheek. Next was a set of three records. She caught her breath. "These are perfect! Where did you find them?"

"Sirius knows a little record store. I am afraid they aren't nearly as expensive as they ought to be…"

"They are brilliant!" She touched a slim box. "You have spoilt me!"

"Open it," Remus urged. He looked nervous.

She pulled the paper off quickly and caught her breath as she opened the box. A bracelet lay inside. A delicate silver chain that had tiny charms suspended from it. She touched them carefully. There was a tiny pair of handcuffs which made her laugh. A miniscule rainbow made of silver and gold. A typewriter, that was gently, lovingly touched and then, finally, a 'D'. This earning Remus a kiss, this time on the lips. "I love you! Love you so much!"

"Because he put a 'D' instead of an 'N'? That's something I have to remember," Sirius teased her.

Tonks ignored him. "Will you put it on? It's so beautiful!" She smiled, enraptured, as Remus awkwardly struggled to fasten the clasp. "Thank you!"

Remus smiled shyly. "I am glad you like it," he whispered. Inwardly he cursed his maimed hand that had made it almost impossible to fasten the tiny clasp.

"I love them! All of them! And the dress! And the tights! And the records!" Each present recitation was punctuated by a kiss until Remus' normally pale face was flush crimson.

Ginny and Hermione both smiled happily.

"Then maybe you should stop kissing Remus and open the rest of your presents!"

Tonks laughed. Her eyes sparkled. She turned to look at her two remaining presents. Opening Harry's first she laughed. Evidently he and Remus had collaborated. It was a tiny silver pistol to add to her charm bracelet.

"Sirius can add it onto the bracelet later."

"This is hilarious, Harry! I love it!"

Harry grinned. "I hoped you would!"

"My presents turn now!" Sirius looked far too pleased with himself and Remus looked at him closely. A swift gasp and colour rising swiftly in Tonks' face made him turn back.

"What is it?" Remus demanded quickly.

Tonks, blushing, opened the lid of the thin, large box that Sirius had given her so only Remus could see. Remus flushed and glared at his friend. "Really?" He sounded exasperated.

Sirius chuckled.

"What is it?" Harry demanded.

"Nothing!" Tonks gasped. But there was a small, smug, embarrassed smile on her face. "I hate you, Black!" She peaked into the box again, at the delicate black lace baby doll lingerie that Sirius had found for her. It was edged in bright red ribbon. It was gorgeous.

Sirius laughed. "It's tradition! I did it for Jamie when he and Lil got together and it was done for me one year."

Tonks frowned suddenly. "Did Jessica…?"

"No," Remus, still flushed, sighed. "She wasn't up for the joke."

"Good," Tonks tucked the box beside her. She could feel the curious eyes of the teenagers on her. "Now, who is next!"

"Sirius," Remus spoke firmly.

Still laughing to himself, Sirius first opened the gift that Ron, Ginny and Hermione had all chipped in to give to him. "Hey!" He looked delighted at the sight of the replica model motorbike he was holding. "This is brilliant! Bloody brilliant! But far too much!" He mocked glared at the three people who were often in his home.

They shrugged. "It's why we all put in. I hope you like it!"

"It's brilliant!" Sirius turned to his next present. "Ah, Tonksie."

"It's much more sedate than what I got!" His cousin grumbled.

He chuckled as he ripped off the paper. "A Walkman! How did you know?"

"I thought of other things that I would buy Harry and that's what you got."

Howls of laughter broke instantly from the teenagers. Remus flinched slightly at the unexpected noise but when Tonks looked at him his face was the usual calm mask he always wore. "Your turn," her voice was soft, calling him back to her.

He smiled and looked at the gifts that were thrust into his hands. He slowly unwrapped the gift from Ginny, Hermione and Ron, carefully removing the paper. A smile spread across his face as he touched the worn cover and carefully opened the book. "A first edition of The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes. This is marvellous. Thank you!"

The girls both looked pleased with the warmth that shone from Remus' eyes.

"Harry told us how you read to him from your book and we wanted it to be special," Ginny smiled at the man who was so sweet to her.

"Thank you," Remus whispered. He looked touched.

"My turn," Tonks smiled and watched as he carefully lay aside the precious book.

Remus unwrapped the first gift and smiled. The royal blue, woollen scarf was soft under his fingers.

"I wanted to go bright green, but Molly convinced me to tone it down. Something about matching a Weasely tradition?"

Remus smiled. "Boxing day we go to the Weasley's. She always has a jumper knitted for us."

"Ah, I see. Well, open the next one!"

The next proved to be a photo of the two of them, one that Harry had taken slyly weeks ago. She was laughing at him, her face alive while he smiled down at her, the love clear on his features. He touched the glass gently. He could remember the moment perfectly. How he had said something, she had laughed and how delighted he had been that he could make this gorgeous young woman laugh. He swallowed before he caught her hand and brought it to his lips.

"And the next," she urged softly.

He unwrapped the heavy package that could only be books and looked at her gifts with delight.

"Sirius showed me your favourite bookstore! I merely asked what you liked to read and they helped me," she blushed. "Some of them I found, but they were much more helpful."

"Thank you, love. This is superb."

Tonks beamed at him, squeezing his hand, as the room dissolved into teenage chaos. She couldn't contain her laughter as she watched Harry and Ron begin to plot with their pranks, Hermione look as if she were about to tell them off for it, and Ginny, after a few pieces of advice to Harry, fled into the kitchen to help Sirius bring out their dinner. It seemed foreign to her that so few people could make so much noise but she found herself enjoying it greatly.

"I know it's not over yet, but I've had a lovely Christmas so far," Tonks whispered.

"Then the day has been a success," Remus answered, bringing her hand up to press a kiss to her knuckles. He was still terrified, but at least her gifts, or the ones she had so far received, had been admired.

"And it will continue to be," Tonks said firmly, giving him a knowing look. She could tell he was tense, and she could only hope that she reacted in the right way, that she helped him, not provided him with more hurt.

"Dinner's ready," Sirius called, inviting the herd to enter the holly-decked dining room.

"So much food," Tonks whined as she curled up on the couch. It was only her, Remus, and Sirius now, as the teenagers had all been shipped back to the Weasley's.

"Food, presents, family… always a good time, Christmas," Sirius said, looking quite content. It was only when he glanced over and saw the look on Remus' face that he remembered. "Remus, come help me put the food away, I know how you hate when I leave it out."

Remus didn't respond as he stiffly rose and followed Sirius into their kitchen.

"I'm going to head out now, okay? But you just call me if you need me to head back here, yeah? The number is by the phone," Sirius said, gripping Remus' shoulders, speaking firmly.

Remus swallowed roughly, his gaze somewhere past his friend's shoulder. He nodded.

"You'll be fine," Sirius commanded, tightening his grip to make Remus look at him.

"Fine," Remus said, taking a deep breath. "I'll be fine."

"No rush, you know. Take your time. Snog a bit. Give her the other thing," Sirius instructed before letting go of Remus. "I'll see you tomorrow, mate."

Tonk waited until her cousin had shut the door behind her before she rose and entered the kitchen. Remus was methodically stacking dishes into the cupboards.

She walked to him and stood beside him. "Do want me to turn the heater off?"

Remus mutely shook his head.

"You know, once I am comfy in bed you are going to have to get up to do it." She rested her hand on his arm and he paused. "Remus, love?"

"Yes."

"Let's leave this for now. Shall I make tea and we can… talk?"

Remus turned to her slowly. "Yes. Yes, tea sounds lovely." He looked down at her. She could see his fear.

"Remus?"

"Mmm?"

"I love you," Tonks said softly before she walked out of the kitchen, leaving him to make their tea, knowing he wanted to keep his hands busy.

Remus' bedroom was warm and cosy. Tonks had changed into some pyjamas, a black silk affair that had green piping on them. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders and there were no remnants of the holly in the silky strands. Remus limped in and set two mugs on the bedside table.

"Sit down," Tonks voice was firm. She felt her own nerves evaporate at the look on his face. The look of wary fear.

He obeyed. His hands were shaking. Kneeling down she untied the laces of his shoes and gently removed them before she took his socks off. There were small scars on his feet and she remembered, from something she had read once, that a common form of torture was to beat the soles of the victims' feet.

"I love you."

Remus managed a tiny smile. "I love you too."

Tonks rose and settled herself on his lap. His arms snaked around her and she clung to him. His breathing was more rapid than usual and she could feel the strain in his muscles. Her lip found his for a soft, gentle kiss before she traced the scars on his cheek.

"Why four?" She asked softly.

Remus allowed her to stoke the ugly marks, not answering.

"Do they still hurt?" Tonks sounded alarmed suddenly and her hand pulled back.

"No, no, they don't hurt me."

She breathed a sigh of relief before she went back to tracing the lines. "So, four?"

"One for each person I loved," Remus swallowed. He leaned into her touch. "James, Lily, Sirius and Harry. They… told me they would… kill them… each mark…. Trying… to make me… tell…."

Tonks caught her breath. Her arms tightened around his neck. She was very carefully not to shift her weight to his bad leg. "I wish I knew what to say to make it better," she whispered.

Remus was quiet for a moment, holding her, her weight against him, aware of the fact that she was being so careful not to cause him pain. "You do," he finally acknowledged. "You and Sirius and Harry. You make sure that each and every day I have something to look forward to."

Tonks smiled, utterly delighted at the face she had been grouped with Sirius and Harry. She kissed him again, she could taste the tea he had just sipped at and she deepened the kiss before slowly pulling away. Her hands cupped his face. "I love you more than anything."

She rose and he followed her lead. She noticed how he pushed himself up using the arms of the chair. Was his leg aching more than he let on? He breathed in deeply. "I…"

"I love you and nothing you can say or show me will change that," she reminded him fiercely. She went into his arms. "So," she smiled up at him. "Am I allowed to finally undress you or … do you want a minute?"

Remus shrugged. His eyes were dull. He pulled away and turned his back to her. She waited patiently until his shirt hung loosely, the buttons clearly undone. His shoulders were heaving. Tonks walked to him and rested her hands on his shoulders. She turned him, slowly, and he obeyed the touch of her fingers. He was wearing a soft white woollen vest and she smiled slightly. It was so predictably Remus. He refused to meet her eyes. She pushed the sleeves of his shirt off his shoulders and it fell to the floor. She tugged at his vest and he reluctantly pulled it off. Her breath caught and she felt nauseous suddenly. Closing her eyes she breathed in deeply before opening them. Remus shoulders slumped and he turned to find his shirt when her hands stopped him. She looked at him steadily before her eyes dropped to his chest. He was toned, not the body that he must have had as a soldier but one of a man who ate well and took care of himself. But the scars. Oh, the scars. She felt sick as she flattened her hand over where his heart was. Tears burned her eyes as she took in the marks that showed his torture. There was barely any skin that was unmarked, every centimetre seemed to have some sort of injury. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"Don't cry," he begged brokenly. "Please don't cry..."

Tonks shook her head. "I am crying because I can't imagine how much pain you must have been in!" Her free hand carefully began to trace the worst of the marks. Some of them were faint, so faint you had to peer closely to see them. Others, others like the ones that ran from his face to his neck were cruel, and others like the scars of stab wounds and beatings. Tonks, keeping her hand on Remus' shoulder stepped around him so she could look at his back. Her hand flew to her mouth in an effort to muffle her cry. Skin twisted in cruel ridges over his back. She had thought the wounds to his chest horrible but here the marks were horrific. Her hand reached out and hesitantly she touched the worst, a set of four thick, red, angry looking scars that ran from his shoulders to just above where his trousers sat. Remus flinched at her touch and she pulled back.
"Did I hurt you?"

He could hear the tears in her voice and he mutely shook his head. Knowing that she had an eternity to learn the scars, to trace their horrible patterns she moved to face him once more. Tears spilled, unchecked down her face and she pressed her cheek against his chest, wrapped her arms around his waist, and sobbed.

Remus held her tightly. He wasn't sure what to think when she finally pulled back. Her eyes, reddened from her tears, fell to marks on his shoulder and she frowned. "What is this from?" A patch of skin was discoloured and puckered, whatever it was had healed badly and unevenly and the skin resembled wax that had melted wrong. Wax that was white and pink and red and horrible. She carefully touched the mark.

Remus swallowed. "They found the use of blow torches to be quite entertaining."

Tonks looked sick. "Oh, my darling, my darling, darling Remus! How could people do this to you?"

He stared at her for a long time before she pressed her lips to the shoulder and kissed it. He blinked, startled as she pulled away and her lips began to find the worst of the marks and brush each of them with a sweet, tender kiss. Her hands resting on his arms that hung limp by his sides. She looked up as she heard a soft ragged gasp. Tears slid slowly, one by one down Remus face. She flicked them away with the tips of her fingers. "Why are you crying?"

"You truly don't care," he whispered.

She smiled, gently, up at him. "I care," she whispered. "I care that they hurt you and that they marked you and I care that you think your scars are something disgusting."

"They are."

"I think they are medals. They are badges of courage and I love you more for each and every mark on your body. I didn't want a perfect man who has a body that only Hollywood sees. I want you, you, Remus Lupin, scars and nightmares and all. Now, drop your trousers," she winked. "Get the rest over and done with."

Remus found himself smiling at her teasing. She didn't care that his skin was horribly marked. She still loved him. This girl was truly incredible.

Tonks guided him to a chair and waited patiently for him to undo the buttons on his pants and push them past his hips. Her fingers ached to complete the task herself but she was patient. It would not be long before she undressed him herself, she knew that, and she looked forward to the day she could show him that his scars were most certainly not going to detract from his naked body.

He sank into the chair and she made quick work of tossing the pants into a corner. His legs, like his arms, were marked by long, slashing scars but nothing compared to his back and chest. There were some on his left leg that looked painful. One horrible mark like that on his shoulder on his inner thigh that made her shudder but it was his right leg that she was transfixed by. His thigh looked like a quilt, something that the surgeons had literally been forced to patch together. The muscles in his right leg were clearly more wasted and there were two long, thin scars that must have been made by a surgeon's knife in the many repairs he had been forced to endure to heal broken bones. His right knee was swollen compared to his left and she carefully touched it. It twitched slightly under her cautious fingers.

"How much does it hurt you?" She asked, worried about the answer.

"I am used to it, Dora," Remus looked uneasy. Would seeing his lame leg be the final straw for her?

"It's worse in the cold?"

"Yes."

"Because it hurts more?"

"Yes."

"And if you walk on it too much."

"It gets worse."

"It was damaged in the explosion?"

"Yes."

Tonk looked up at him. "What happened? I thought it was broken but… this looks worse than a break."

Remus swallowed. "Compound fracture of my tibia, meant I couldn't escape. Concentrated on destroying my leg before moving on. I have steel rods beside my tibia and femur. Had a hip replacement because they broke it and I will need a knee replacement one day because of the damage they did to it. No matter how good doctors are they can't fix the damage and…. Twelve months of damage is a long time." His voice was hollow as he remembered the brutal acts of smashing his knee and hip that had delighted his captors.

Tonks nodded. "Well then, perhaps in winter I will just have to keep you in bed," her eyes twinkled. "You know, to rest your leg." Her voice cracked though, giving her away and Remus lifted her into his arms.

"I am so sorry you had to see these," he whispered.

"I'm not!" Tonks replied. "I want us to be able to share everything, Remus. I love you. No scars will change that. It breaks my heart to see what they did to you but… I love all of you." She traced a thin scar. "All of you."

Remus remained silent as he held this wonderful woman to him, finding an odd sort of comfort in the gentle wanderings of her fingers as she laid her head on his shoulder. They sat together, enjoying each other's warmth, knowing there was no need to break the comfortable silence. Until…

"What about this one?" Tonks asked in a whisper, tracing a light pink, jagged scar that looked older than the rest.

At this question, Remus moved his head to see the one she was talking about, having to peer over her lap. He looked a bit confused for a moment before comprehension dawned. And he, of all things, actually laughed.

"I was thirteen and Sirius… 'accidentally' pushed me out of a tree," Remus said. He felt the knot in his stomach loosen at the incredulous look on Tonks' face that quickly faded into laughter and amusement.

"I have plenty of those," Tonks grinned, lifting the silk to reveal her knees. "For some reason, I tripped a lot as a child. So I'm a bit decorated as well."

"I would never have guessed," Remus replied, finding such relief in returning her smile. As perfect as he thought she was, she really wasn't. Yet he loved her all the more for it.

"I'm sure a few of these probably came from playtime with Sirius, too," Tonks laughed, pointing at a few marks on her legs. She then watched as Remus' hand moved to trave a few of her scars, like she had with his. Her smile changed into a smirk as his hand left the scar on her knee to move up her thigh.

"Thank you, Dora," Remus whispered, his face turning more serious even as his hand caressed her leg.

"My pleasure," Tonks whispered, moving her hand to his jaw so she could draw him in for a kiss. After pulling back, she slid off his lap and held out her hand. "It's a tad cold, let's move to the warm bed, yeah?"

"Fine, you've convinced me," Remus said as he stiffly stood, only in his pants. Despite himself, he let his eyes wander over the woman standing in front of him before he took her hand. He felt a small thrill go through him at the sight of her cheeky grin as she pulled him towards his bed.

"I think this is the best Christmas I've had since I was a kid," Tonks smiled as she sat on the bed and pulled the blankets over her lap.

Remus sat beside her and took her hand. "Technically, it's not over yet," he said, leaning over to kiss her. But, before she could deep the kiss, he pulled back. He ignored her questioning look as he turned to pull something out of his night table. It was a box wrapped in shiny red paper with white ribbon.

"You already gave me my gifts, and I haven't got anything else to give you," Tonks protested as he handed her the box, looking surprised.

"Your acceptance of me is enough to fill a lifetime of Christmases. And this is… just something you deserve," Remus said, watching her take it.

Tonks bit her lip before opening the present, unable to contain a smile. She also couldn't contain a small gasp once she opened the box. Inside was a round moonstone, surrounded by filigree silver. It was simple but so very her.

"It looks much better in the sunlight," Remus explained, looking a bit nervous. "And… I got it engraved…"

Silently, she picked it up and turned it around. For the light in my darkness, it read.

"Do you like it?"

Tonks looked up at Remus, seeing him looking uncertain. Rather speechless, she just nodded, taking a deep breath. "I love it," she whispered finally, letting the box fall as she reached out to pull him into a deep kiss. She gripped the necklace in her hand, allowing the kiss to finally progress. It wasn't until about ten minutes later, when Tonks, cushioned by pillows at her back, with Remus cradling her, that she said, "Let me put it on before I lose it in all these blankets."

"Yes, please don't lose it," Remus chuckled softly, a bit flushed but, overall, very pleased. He sat up and watched her do the same before moving her hair out of the way and clasping the necklace around her neck. She then beamed at him, fingers touching the stone, and truly acting the part of the moon in his usually gloomy room.

It was hours later, fairly early in the morning, that anyone else returned to the flat. Sirius walked in, trying to be very quiet as he looked around, looking for anything out of place. He checked the kitchen, living room, and most of the closed doors before he came to Remus' room. Assuming he didn't lock it, Sirius slowly opened the door a crack, very aware of how dangerous it was to sneak up on Remus. He felt relief flood through him as his eyes adjusted to the dim bedroom light and he saw the occupants of the room. For the first time in a very long time, Remus actually looked rather peaceful in his sleep. Sirius could still see the tension that ran through him but his arms were firmly around the smaller figure that was curled against him. Sirius found himself suspended, motionless, immobile as he simply stared, so very pleased with the sight. It was only when he glanced over and saw Remus' eyes open and staring back that he jumped, knocking his elbow against the doorframe.

"Sorry," Sirius mouthed, making a face at being caught. And then, unable to help himself, he let a large, self-satisfied grin take over his face as he gave Remus a thumbs-up. Taking the eye roll bestowed upon him as answer enough; he quietly closed the door and went to his room to collapse in his cold bed. Alone, yet, strangely comforted by the fact that in the room beside him his best friend was finally at peace.