Disclaimer: I still own nothing and for some reason, dreaming doesn't get me anywhere…

Blood of a werewolf

Chapter 8: Epilogue

It had been three weeks since Nymphadora Tonks had left Remus' hut in Romania. Three long and excruciatingly slowly passing weeks.

All this time, Remus had silently been hoping she would come back. He had been thinking a lot about things he could say to her. He wanted to apologize, he wanted to tell her how he felt about her, he wanted to kiss her…

Remus shook his head.

I know I wouldn't do it, no matter how much I want to, I'm too frightened of being rejected and I would probably push her away again. Firenze was right, I've been hiding from Tonks too. But even then did she find me and I made her go away.

The first days after she had left, he had stayed close to the hut, claiming to himself it would be best not to wander too far, after all, his arm and ribs still needed to be handled carefully, but as the days went by, he couldn't keep denying the fact he was actually hoping for Tonks to turn up again and he didn't want to miss her if she did.

But she never came, and after three weeks, he had started to give up. She won't come and it's my own fault. First I attack her, but she doesn't seem to hate me for it and instead of being grateful, I completely push her away. Why would she come back when I've been such a complete git?

He tried to console himself with the knowledge that he had done the right thing, that she was better off without him. But oddly enough, instead of comforting him, it only hurt him more. Then herealised the sound of her voice when he had told her he wouldn't come with her and he knew he had hurt her.It made him wonder if, instead of right, he had done something very stupid. If maybe, just maybe, it was possible Tonks could want more from him than friendship.

I shouldn't think like this, it doesn't really matter anyway.

Everything had gone back to what it had been for the last five years. And that's the way it should be.

It was a warm summer day, and Remus had made a little tour through the forest, taking a walk and assembling berries and other food. It was the first day since Tonks had left that he had wandered this far away from his hut, trying not to think about what had happened three weeks ago, but no matter how hard he tried, the same thoughts kept invading his mind.

I really have to stop thinking about her, before I go crazy.

He finally reached the clearing where his hut was situated, stopped near the little stream to drink a little bit and then turned to approach his hut.

As he approached the building, however, something caught his eye. The door that gave entrance to his home stood ajar and he was sure he had closed it carefully before he left.

He stopped for a moment, staring at it, before he realised what this meant. Someone else had been here, and was maybe still here.

Tonks? Could it be?

He didn't know who else it could be, except from Tonks, the only other who knew where he lived was Firenze, and Remus was sure the centaur wouldn't enter the hut.

Remus walked quickly to the door and pushed it, revealing the only room of his little home. He was ready to call her name, but stopped when he saw who was inside.

Instead of the Metamorphmagus, a young man was standing in the middle of his hut. He had messy black hair, glasses, striking green eyes and a scar. Remus stared for a moment, before he had recovered enough to speak. "Harry?"

Harry Potter smiled back at the werewolf. "Remus, it's good to see you again. I've been wondering where you were."

Remus didn't know what to say. How did Harry get here? Tonks must have told him.

Harry shifted uncomfortably, before answering Remus' unasked question. "I wanted to see for myself you were here and Tonks made me a portkey."

"It's good to see you too, Harry." It's really good to see you, I never realised how much I actually missed him. During the one year he had been teaching James' son, it had seemed to Remus he had gotten a part of James himself back and at the same time Harry was the closest thing to a son, or at least a nephew, to him he had ever had.

"I also wanted to thank you, Remus, for saving my life. The doctors explained to me, without your blood, I wouldn't have survived."

"You don't have to thank me, Harry. Tonks deserves all credits, she has been through a lot of trouble to find me and save you."

"Yes, but I doubt you realise just how much she has gone through."

Remus frowned and Harry continued quickly. "We have both been searching for you for years, Remus. Tonks spent every free moment of her time for the last two years looking for you. She told me what happened when she was here, how you pushed her away."

Remus cut him off. "Keep out of this, what's happened between Tonks and me is none of your business, Harry."

Harry nodded. "I know, but I care a lot about the both of you and I only wanted to let you know that you really hurt her feelings, even though she will never admit it."

"I didn't mean to."

"If you ever decide to come back home, you're always welcome at my place and I daresay at Tonks' too. Please think about it."

Remus and Harry stared at each other for a moment.

Finally, Remus answered. "I'll think about it."

Harry nodded. "I have to go now. I hope to see you again, Remus." He walked passed Remus and left the hut quietly before retrieving an old ribbon from his pocket and portkeying away with a tap of his wand. Remus stared at the place where Harry had disappeared for a long time, repeating the conversation in his mind.

'You're always welcome at my place and Tonks' too, please think about it. I hope to see you again.' I want to, Harry, I really want to. But I don't know if I can.

But the words gave him new hope. Maybe, one day.

I realise now I'm afraid. Afraid of returning to a world full of rejection. Afraid of what I'm capable of doing to others. Here, in these woods, I cannot harm anyone and there is no one to reject me. I'm safe here, but it's a place without future, without a chance to move forward in life. Here, I was able to put my life at a pause, like pushing the pause button in the middle of a Muggle movie. But as long as I stay here, I will not be able to see it continue.

Maybe, one day, I'll be ready to see the next part. I promise I'll come back home then, Harry.

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Please review…

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A/N: As the title of this chapter suggests, this is the end of Blood of a Werewolf. But do not fear, there is more to come, both more adventure and more romance for Tonks and Remus.

Thanks to all my reviewers and thanks for reading this. I hope you will hang on for the next instalment of my Remus/Tonks series (but I'm not going to post anything for a while, to give everyone the chance to read HBP). The next thing will probably be a one-shot and after that, we might see more of the Vastatore's.

To scribhneoir: You made point there about Remus not being worried enough about Harry. I have to admit I totally forgot writing something about that while writing, shame on me (blushes). Hope you can forgive me.

See you all (hopefully) soon.