Authors Note: Finally chapter 2 is done. Sorry it's taken so long. Hope you
enjoy and please review afterwards!
Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling of course!
Thank you everyone for all the reviews and support! ************************************************************
"How are you feeling Tonks?" Asked Remus gently.
"I'm okay," she replied rather weakly, "just a bit tired and sore."
Tonks was trying to get up, grimacing slightly from the pain. She was almost in a sitting position when she felt a pair of rough hands pushing her gently back down. "No Tonks stop. You need rest; you're not strong enough yet. Just lie down and relax." Said Remus quite firmly.
Tonks obeyed and was leaning back into her pillow when her elbow knocked over a vase full of flowers that went crashing to the floor as a result. Luckily the vase had an unbreakable charm on it-a gift from her partner Kingsley-but the flowers and water spilled out everywhere.
"Oops!" Cried Tonks. Her cheeks went a light shade of pink.
"Don't worry, I'll get it." Said Remus as he pulled his wand out of his robes. With a whoosh everything was clean and back where it belonged. "Clumsy old Tonks," muttered Remus quietly to himself. "Yup, clumsy old Tonks," she repeated.
Remus burned a light shade of red; he didn't think she heard him. They gave each other a smile and a nervous laugh. Their eyes locked for a moment.
'She's so beautiful,' thought Remus. He suddenly realized she was staring at him just as he was staring at her. He jerked his gaze. He suddenly felt very aware of his appearance. He thought he must look like crap thanks to a horrific night and the coming full moon. He must remind her of a shabby old dog. He wished he had at least combed his hair, but a part of him didn't mind having Tonks see him like this. He felt comfortable around her, and he knew she liked him for him. Besides, she would soon understand everything he had just been through.
"So." said Tonks finally breaking the silence between them, "what did happen last night? I can't remember."
"Hmmm?" Remus asked unsurprised by this question.
"Tell me what happened!" Ordered Tonks, her face very serious now. She kept looking at him waiting for some kind of answer. Remus shifted uncomfortably in his chair and swallowed hard. He could feel her eyes burning into him. He closed his eyes for a moment as he thought of how he should break the news to her.
"Remus tell me now!" Her voice was rising from both anger and frustration. "Is Harry okay? Are the other children all right? Did they get the prophecy? What about the Death-Eaters? Did you-know-who show up?" Her mind was full of unanswered questions. She was talking very fast and her face was going red from lack of breath.
"Look Tonks be quiet!" Interrupted Remus, "don't worry I'll tell you everything okay?" Tonks nodded, her hair was now a beautiful shiny black.
'How am I going to tell her this?' He thought quickly. He could feel the perspiration on his forehead. He looked at Tonks propped up against the pillows. She was still waiting. He rested his head on his hand.
"Is Harry okay?" Tonks asked, a touch of worry in her voice.
"Yes, Harry's fine." Remus lied.
"Well then what is it? What happened? Why do you look like you've just lost your best friend?" She innocently asked, unaware of the answer she would get.
Remus just looked at her but said nothing. His face was pale, and his eyes swelled with tears. He nodded his head up and down. "B-because." he stammered choking on tears, "I have."
Tonks face fell, she gasped.
"Sirius-" he said in an almost whisper.
"No!" Cried Tonks her eyes shut, 'it can't be, it just can't be."
Remus took a deep breath before trying to speak again. "Sirius is dead." Those words were so hard for him to say!
Tonks put her hand over her mouth, tears streamed down her face. She was crying. Remus saw and went to her. There weren't any words he could think of to say to her at that very moment. He embraced her in his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder sobbing heavily. He realized he was crying just as much-maybe more than she was. It was the first time Remus really cried over Sirius. They remained like that for a while.
After the heavy crying turned into soft sobs, Tonks pulled her face away from Remus. His jacket was wet from her tears. She looked at him, and gently brushed aside a falling tear from his face. He looked into her eyes, she in his, both their eyes were red and puffy.
"How.how did Sirius die?" She asked faintly in between sobs.
"Hmmm?" Replied Remus, he had been waiting for this question.
"How did it happen?"
Remus turned his body from hers. He said nothing at first. Tonks was looking intently at him. She was still very visibly upset, which is understandable. Remus turned his gaze to the floor. He felt as if he was going to breakdown crying again. He took several deep breaths before he told her. He told her everything, all about Sirius, Harry, the veil, Bellatrix, the prophecy, and Voldemort's return. He thought it would be hard to talk about. But he was surprised at how easy it was talking to Tonks. Once he started he couldn't stop. Tonks was very quiet as she listened to him, hanging on to his every word.
When he finished, he felt his mouth go dry and his voice go hoarse. He needed a drink! He looked up at Tonks who remained quiet, which even for Tonks was unusual. Her face was stained with tears. Then without warning, she began to cry again. He went to her and held her in his arms. He enjoyed holding her; in fact he never wanted to let her go. He rubbed his hand gently up and down her back as she cried. Tonks had her arms wrapped around his waist. After everything she had just heard, she found some sort of comfort in Remus' arms.
They remained like this for a long time, both crying. To Remus and Tonks it felt like only fifteen minutes had past, when in reality almost an hour had come and gone.
Remus was wrapped up in his own thoughts of Sirius' death and of his feelings for Tonks. He wanted to tell her how he felt about her, but he didn't want to make her feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. He wanted to tell her this for the longest time, but for some reason he never did. Fear of rejection or embarrassment, it never seemed like the right time to him. But seeing his best friend die gave him a new perspective on life. He just had to tell her. No more excuses. Right now he would tell her how he felt, hopefully she would tell him she felt the same way about him and they would be happy.
"Um Tonks?" Said Remus in a rather nervous voice, "There's something else I need to tell you." He distanced himself from her.
"What?" Asked Tonks. "Is there something you've forgotten to tell me? More bad news?" Her voice was panicky and edgy.
"No, no, no I didn't forget anything. I hope you think of it as good news." He said rather hopefully.
"Good, because I don't think I can take any more bad news."
Just as Tonks finished saying that, there was a loud knock on the door of her hospital room and in entered a very tired and fatigued Kingsley Shacklebot. "Hey there Tonks! I see you're up. How are you feeling?" He asked rather positively.
"Not bad now that you're here." Joked Tonks as she forced a smile.
"Hello Remus." Said Kingsley almost sympathetically.
"Hello."
"Thought I'd just drop by and see how you were doing. I assume you've filled her in on everything Remus?" Said Kingsley as he stood by at the end of the bed.
"Yes. She knows. How are things at the Ministry? Complete chaos I expect?" Remus said as he changed the subject. He didn't in particular want to talk about Sirius, especially with Kingsley there.
"You better believe it. You should have seen the look on old Fudge's face when he saw you-know-who last night Tonks. It was priceless." He chuckled as he said this. "Things aren't going to be so hard for us from now on. We don't have to work against the Ministry anymore. Anyways I can't stay long, got to get back to work. Got a stack of paperwork high enough to hit the ceiling to get through. Maybe I should bring some over for you to do while you're in here?"
Tonks smiled, then she replied "not a chance."
"Well.it was worth a shot."
Kingsley stayed a good ten minutes. He gave Tonks a quick hug before saying his goodbyes.
"Bye Kingsley!" Said Tonks.
"Bye." Said Remus.
"Well that lifted my spirits for a while." Exclaimed Tonks.
"Yeah." Muttered Remus, "mine too."
'Damn,' he thought, 'I was so close to telling her. If only Kingsley had picked a different time to visit. Oh well, nothing I can do about it. I've got to get this over with. Why do I feel so nervous? It's like I'm a child again.'
Tonks was staring at him. Her eyes were a bright blue, hair pink with spikes. She wasn't crying anymore, her face still damp from earlier.
"Tonks," he said, "I have to tell you something."
"What is it Remus?" She asked apprehensively.
"Something important. It can't wait."
Remus moved closer to her. He held out his hand to hers, looking affectionately into her eyes, wondering if she felt the same way as he did.
'All right,' thought Remus, 'this is it. The moment I've been waiting for. Here I go. No turning back.'
Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling of course!
Thank you everyone for all the reviews and support! ************************************************************
"How are you feeling Tonks?" Asked Remus gently.
"I'm okay," she replied rather weakly, "just a bit tired and sore."
Tonks was trying to get up, grimacing slightly from the pain. She was almost in a sitting position when she felt a pair of rough hands pushing her gently back down. "No Tonks stop. You need rest; you're not strong enough yet. Just lie down and relax." Said Remus quite firmly.
Tonks obeyed and was leaning back into her pillow when her elbow knocked over a vase full of flowers that went crashing to the floor as a result. Luckily the vase had an unbreakable charm on it-a gift from her partner Kingsley-but the flowers and water spilled out everywhere.
"Oops!" Cried Tonks. Her cheeks went a light shade of pink.
"Don't worry, I'll get it." Said Remus as he pulled his wand out of his robes. With a whoosh everything was clean and back where it belonged. "Clumsy old Tonks," muttered Remus quietly to himself. "Yup, clumsy old Tonks," she repeated.
Remus burned a light shade of red; he didn't think she heard him. They gave each other a smile and a nervous laugh. Their eyes locked for a moment.
'She's so beautiful,' thought Remus. He suddenly realized she was staring at him just as he was staring at her. He jerked his gaze. He suddenly felt very aware of his appearance. He thought he must look like crap thanks to a horrific night and the coming full moon. He must remind her of a shabby old dog. He wished he had at least combed his hair, but a part of him didn't mind having Tonks see him like this. He felt comfortable around her, and he knew she liked him for him. Besides, she would soon understand everything he had just been through.
"So." said Tonks finally breaking the silence between them, "what did happen last night? I can't remember."
"Hmmm?" Remus asked unsurprised by this question.
"Tell me what happened!" Ordered Tonks, her face very serious now. She kept looking at him waiting for some kind of answer. Remus shifted uncomfortably in his chair and swallowed hard. He could feel her eyes burning into him. He closed his eyes for a moment as he thought of how he should break the news to her.
"Remus tell me now!" Her voice was rising from both anger and frustration. "Is Harry okay? Are the other children all right? Did they get the prophecy? What about the Death-Eaters? Did you-know-who show up?" Her mind was full of unanswered questions. She was talking very fast and her face was going red from lack of breath.
"Look Tonks be quiet!" Interrupted Remus, "don't worry I'll tell you everything okay?" Tonks nodded, her hair was now a beautiful shiny black.
'How am I going to tell her this?' He thought quickly. He could feel the perspiration on his forehead. He looked at Tonks propped up against the pillows. She was still waiting. He rested his head on his hand.
"Is Harry okay?" Tonks asked, a touch of worry in her voice.
"Yes, Harry's fine." Remus lied.
"Well then what is it? What happened? Why do you look like you've just lost your best friend?" She innocently asked, unaware of the answer she would get.
Remus just looked at her but said nothing. His face was pale, and his eyes swelled with tears. He nodded his head up and down. "B-because." he stammered choking on tears, "I have."
Tonks face fell, she gasped.
"Sirius-" he said in an almost whisper.
"No!" Cried Tonks her eyes shut, 'it can't be, it just can't be."
Remus took a deep breath before trying to speak again. "Sirius is dead." Those words were so hard for him to say!
Tonks put her hand over her mouth, tears streamed down her face. She was crying. Remus saw and went to her. There weren't any words he could think of to say to her at that very moment. He embraced her in his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder sobbing heavily. He realized he was crying just as much-maybe more than she was. It was the first time Remus really cried over Sirius. They remained like that for a while.
After the heavy crying turned into soft sobs, Tonks pulled her face away from Remus. His jacket was wet from her tears. She looked at him, and gently brushed aside a falling tear from his face. He looked into her eyes, she in his, both their eyes were red and puffy.
"How.how did Sirius die?" She asked faintly in between sobs.
"Hmmm?" Replied Remus, he had been waiting for this question.
"How did it happen?"
Remus turned his body from hers. He said nothing at first. Tonks was looking intently at him. She was still very visibly upset, which is understandable. Remus turned his gaze to the floor. He felt as if he was going to breakdown crying again. He took several deep breaths before he told her. He told her everything, all about Sirius, Harry, the veil, Bellatrix, the prophecy, and Voldemort's return. He thought it would be hard to talk about. But he was surprised at how easy it was talking to Tonks. Once he started he couldn't stop. Tonks was very quiet as she listened to him, hanging on to his every word.
When he finished, he felt his mouth go dry and his voice go hoarse. He needed a drink! He looked up at Tonks who remained quiet, which even for Tonks was unusual. Her face was stained with tears. Then without warning, she began to cry again. He went to her and held her in his arms. He enjoyed holding her; in fact he never wanted to let her go. He rubbed his hand gently up and down her back as she cried. Tonks had her arms wrapped around his waist. After everything she had just heard, she found some sort of comfort in Remus' arms.
They remained like this for a long time, both crying. To Remus and Tonks it felt like only fifteen minutes had past, when in reality almost an hour had come and gone.
Remus was wrapped up in his own thoughts of Sirius' death and of his feelings for Tonks. He wanted to tell her how he felt about her, but he didn't want to make her feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. He wanted to tell her this for the longest time, but for some reason he never did. Fear of rejection or embarrassment, it never seemed like the right time to him. But seeing his best friend die gave him a new perspective on life. He just had to tell her. No more excuses. Right now he would tell her how he felt, hopefully she would tell him she felt the same way about him and they would be happy.
"Um Tonks?" Said Remus in a rather nervous voice, "There's something else I need to tell you." He distanced himself from her.
"What?" Asked Tonks. "Is there something you've forgotten to tell me? More bad news?" Her voice was panicky and edgy.
"No, no, no I didn't forget anything. I hope you think of it as good news." He said rather hopefully.
"Good, because I don't think I can take any more bad news."
Just as Tonks finished saying that, there was a loud knock on the door of her hospital room and in entered a very tired and fatigued Kingsley Shacklebot. "Hey there Tonks! I see you're up. How are you feeling?" He asked rather positively.
"Not bad now that you're here." Joked Tonks as she forced a smile.
"Hello Remus." Said Kingsley almost sympathetically.
"Hello."
"Thought I'd just drop by and see how you were doing. I assume you've filled her in on everything Remus?" Said Kingsley as he stood by at the end of the bed.
"Yes. She knows. How are things at the Ministry? Complete chaos I expect?" Remus said as he changed the subject. He didn't in particular want to talk about Sirius, especially with Kingsley there.
"You better believe it. You should have seen the look on old Fudge's face when he saw you-know-who last night Tonks. It was priceless." He chuckled as he said this. "Things aren't going to be so hard for us from now on. We don't have to work against the Ministry anymore. Anyways I can't stay long, got to get back to work. Got a stack of paperwork high enough to hit the ceiling to get through. Maybe I should bring some over for you to do while you're in here?"
Tonks smiled, then she replied "not a chance."
"Well.it was worth a shot."
Kingsley stayed a good ten minutes. He gave Tonks a quick hug before saying his goodbyes.
"Bye Kingsley!" Said Tonks.
"Bye." Said Remus.
"Well that lifted my spirits for a while." Exclaimed Tonks.
"Yeah." Muttered Remus, "mine too."
'Damn,' he thought, 'I was so close to telling her. If only Kingsley had picked a different time to visit. Oh well, nothing I can do about it. I've got to get this over with. Why do I feel so nervous? It's like I'm a child again.'
Tonks was staring at him. Her eyes were a bright blue, hair pink with spikes. She wasn't crying anymore, her face still damp from earlier.
"Tonks," he said, "I have to tell you something."
"What is it Remus?" She asked apprehensively.
"Something important. It can't wait."
Remus moved closer to her. He held out his hand to hers, looking affectionately into her eyes, wondering if she felt the same way as he did.
'All right,' thought Remus, 'this is it. The moment I've been waiting for. Here I go. No turning back.'