Hey! WOOT! Thus ends the story of Charlie and Tonksie. Thank you A MILLION times to everyone that has reviewed. EVERYONE. I would list you all but then I would be panicking about missing anyone and yeah… So anyway. Enjoy!

--

If it's gonna rain I hope it pours

Thunder and lightning

Like never before

cause that's how I feel

Here in my heart

If it's gonna rain

Let the storm start

If you're gonna leave go on and go

Don't even look back

When you hit the road

If that's how you feel

About you and me

Now's a good time

So go on and leave

I've never been one for doing

Something half the way

I've loved you with all my heart

But it's all been in vain

It's gonna hurt

Cut to the bone

Break my heart in two

When you move on

I'm gonna cry a river of tears

It's gonna rain and rain and rain

Round here for years

I'm gonna cry a river of tears

It's gonna rain

Let the storm start

If it's gonna rain I hope it pours

--

If December was a winter month than surely it was the worst.

Tonks stood at the window of her attic bedroom and stared out at Charlie in the courtyard who was being hugged and kissed by his family. Heavy rain was pouring down on the figures, so heavy that even the hills were being shielded by its mist. Even from her high distance and through the pour, Tonks could see Molly smiling through her tears. Tonks almost envied her. At least she had tears to cry. The dark outline of Charlie moved away, waving madly, but something in his posture was wrong. The usual bounce had been taken and his handsome broad shoulders were slouched slightly.

How Tonks hated Romania. How she hated Dumbledore for sending him there. How she hated Voldemort for starting the war.

And oh how she hated Sirius for leaving her when she needed him most.

The rain continued on as she crept down the stairs hours later in her dress from the ball. Her muscles ached – a reminded from the night before – and even the pain in her body reminding her of Charlie seemed to sting somewhere deep inside her. It was still early morning but not so early that everyone was asleep. As she entered the kitchen everyone looked at her wordlessly and she knew that they knew. She could see it in Fred's saddened eyes and Molly's motherly glance.

"You ok?" Fred asked as Tonks took a seat next to him and began buttering a piece of toast.

"I'm fine," she replied, a little stiffly. It wasn't Fred's fault she was miserable, Tonks reminded herself as she turned to him and gave a small smile.

"Oh, dear. Isn't there anything other than your dress to wear home?"

"This will be fine, Molly. Thanks."

Molly seemed to get Tonks' need for silence.

"Look at that rain. You'd think we were living in Noah's time!" Mrs. Weasley stared out of the misted windows into the gloom beyond.

"Do you think Charlie will be okay?" Everyone looked at Tonks with an odd gaze before softening.

"Oh, of course he will."

"He failed his apperation test twice before he got it," whispered George unhelpfully. Seeing Tonks' face he continued quickly. "But the third time… I mean… WOW. Never seen a better… apperation… guy… thing…" He smiled cheerfully and went back to eating his breakfast in silence. Tonks thought it would be unkindly to say anything about noticing Fred kicking him under the table.

"Did you enjoy the ball last night?" Bill had just entered the room and sat next to Tonks. "You left early."

"I didn't feel that great."

"Ah." There was something in Bills tone that alerted Tonks to the fact that he knew she wasn't being entirely truthful. "Did you see Char before he left?"

Tonks nodded.

"Good."

Silence was truly the devils tool to making one insane. The Weasley family and Tonks sat there in that agonizing torture before at last Tonks could not take it any more. Without saying anything she stood and walked to the door, her dress hard to walk in.

"Thanks for breakfast Molly. I'll see you soon, I'm sure."

Perhaps she was imagining it. Perhaps it was the pain that was making her disillusioned, but she could've sworn all the Weasley's glanced at one another mysteriously before waving her good bye. Tonks didn't feel she had time or energy to wonder about it. She exited the kitchen, slamming the door a little harder than she had meant to.

Her first thought was to run home but she remembered that that would mean seeing Remus and she didn't fancy that. Then she thought about going to Kingsley's but it was debatable whether he would even be there. She had never felt so alone in her entire life. The rain was coming down like stair rods, each drop stabbing her pink, numb skin that was icy to the touch.

After what seemed like an eternity, Tonks decided the only place she wanted to be right now was where she was reminded of Him.

Running though the garden in heavy boots and sodden clothing that scraped along in the mud, Tonks disappeared into the forest. It was only when she tasted the saltiness upon her lips that she realized the water flowing down her face was not only rain drops but heavy tears. It felt surreal as she heard her own sobbing and didn't noticed the pain in her side as she fell against a tree and slouched down it, cradling herself.

Of course, it was their tree. Hers and Charlie's. The first place they had talked properly to one another and the place she had found that they would never be together again.

"Well, I must say. You look a mess. Didn't anyone ever tell you to wear an umbrella in the rain?"

"I tend to break umbrellas."

"Ah, that's understandable."

There was a momentary pause for realization before Tonks' head shot up.

"Charlie?"

"Well, aren't I going to get a hug?"

Tonks virtually pounced on Charlie who was bowled over, beaming wildly as he planted a wet kiss on her lips.

"What? How? I don't…"

"Understand?"

Charlie held out a very wet letter that was unreadable for the rain that had drenched it.

"Dumbledore has sent some other's out there after he spoke to the ministry about the death eaters. Managed to convince them it was self-defense, not murder. Wise man, Dumbledore. Seems he understands that bonds of love are hard to break and not worth breaking, even for as something as important as war."

Tonks suddenly poked Charlie in the ribs, laughing as he held his side indignantly.

"Hey. HEY! What was that for?"

"Oh my goodness. I'm not dreaming."

"You could've just asked me, you know. Without the whole side stabbing thing."

"Charlie! You… me… we're together!"

She crushed her lips against his in a desperate need for certainty that she wasn't dreaming. She couldn't believe it. The amazing velocity of how wonderful life was, was staggering when compared to hours ago when nothing seemed worse.

"How did you know… I would be here?" she asked, a little breathless.

"Where else would you go?"

Tonks agreed in a non-committal nod before kissing Charlie again.

"Thank goodness for Dumbledore, eh? I think we should go back to the house. We have a lot to get used to. You have me for life remember."

"If you'll have me. Marry me?"

"What?" Tonks stepped back from Charlie who was grinning at her.

"Marry me."

Well that was unexpected. What should she say? Should she think on it or—

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay."

"Okay!" Charlie gathered Tonks up in his arms, both lovers laughing together. "I'm going to regret this when you start breaking plates every week, aren't I?"

Tonks kissed Charlie again, not even noticing that their clothes had become like skin, they were so wet. It was an odd feeling that stirred inside her. The war had begun and in months, they would be in full on combat. Yet she and Charlie would be together. That was all that really mattered in the end.

"Yep."

"Ah, I've done dragons. I'm sure I can tame you."

--

I'm so rubbish at endings. They're always too dramatic or soppy or pathetic. Ah well. It's the end! Thanks AGAIN for all the support and reviews. Love you all. Let's hope there will be a sequel eh? ;) xxx