A loud bang from below broke the couple apart suddenly. Mrs Black's wails could be heard and Tonks laughed nervously as Remus gave a shy smile. Monster began to bark out in the corridor. Remus tried to shush her.
"Monster, be quiet. You'll wake the twins."
"Monster?" Tonks inquired, raising her eyebrows. Remus gave a laugh, remembering 'Mrs Maroon the Almighty Chocolate Drop', and put an arm around Dora lazily.
"Harry and Ron named her. She won't answer to anything else now. You'll have to trust me when I say that Monster was one of the more preferable suggestions."
"I believe you," Tonks said with a grin. "We'd better go see what's wrong with the old hag," she suggested and Remus nodded.
The wizard opened his bedroom as Monster shot past quickly, yapping as she went. As the pair reached the stairs Tonks heard a familiar voice.
"Is that…Harry?" she inquired and Remus' eyes widened suddenly. The boy's voice echoed up into the house.
"Remus? REMUS!"
Remus took Tonks' hand and led her down the stairs.
"I'm here, Harry."
The boy crossed the entrance hall, leaving Dumbledore's side (who was having polite words with Mrs Black.) Hermione followed Harry hesitantly, looking rather dazed.
"Remus, Mrs Weasley came to see Dumbledore and said…" the boy began breathlessly but came to a halt when seeing Tonks peep out from behind the tall man.
"Hi Harry," she smiled down at him. Harry took an unintentional step back out of shock and stumbled on Hermione's foot.
"So…so it's true then?" he asked desperately. Tonks and Remus nodded in unison. Harry's hands covered his mouth in shock.
"Harry!" Remus warned suddenly, as Hermione began to wobble behind him. The boy spun around and grabbed his friend firmly by the elbows.
"Deep breaths 'Mione ok?" he whispered. The pale girl nodded, tears streaming down her face. Tonks and Remus joined their former students in the hallway. Dumbledore smiled at the four of them.
"Well, I see Mrs Weasley was right…as were Mr Potter and myself," he added lightly to Remus, throwing the younger man a casual wink. Remus simply nodded. "It's very good to see you again Miss Tonks. We'll catch up at the next Order meeting," he told the young witch. Tonks grinned.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," she beamed.
"Goodnight." Dumbledore bowed slightly, and Disapperated with a dull pop.
A stunned silence fell between the four of them. Breaking out of his stupor, Harry rushed over to Tonks and grabbed her into an embrace.
"I haven't a clue what's going on, but I'm so glad you're here," Harry told his guardian, his voice cracking in emotion. Tonks nodded onto his shoulder, once again feeling guilty for causing her friends so much pain. The pair held each other for a moment longer before Tonks gave a cough.
"Harry, you're hurting me."
"Oh, sorry," the boy said, jumping away and grinning sheepishly. Tonks beamed at him. Next she turned to Hermione.
"Well Minnie, do I get a hug?"
Tonks was almost bowled over by the force of the impact, as Hermione threw herself at her. The girl wept joyously onto the woman's shoulder, wailing unintelligibly. Tonks rubbed the girl's back soothingly, giving a slightly scared glance over to Remus.
"Don't you ever leave us again!" Hermione howled, slapping Tonks hard on the shoulder. Tonks winced slightly.
"Ok, ok I promise," she replied quickly.
Hermione gave a watery smile. The girl still looked very shaken and Remus decided it was best if they went into the kitchen. He, however, went to fetch the twins in the carrycot.
He arrived moments later to find Harry had made some tea. Both teenagers were holding on to one of Tonks' hands tightly.
"So you're mother lied to us?" Harry was saying. Tonks nodded slightly, still very upset about the whole ordeal.
"I'm afraid so," Tonks told them, dropping their hands and lifting Jake from his nest. Remus took his daughter.
"How awful," Hermione said. "What was she thinking? I assume she had her reasons."
Tonks nodded again, avoiding Hermione's gaze by looking down at her son.
"Yeah…but I don't really want to talk about it now. I'm so glad to be back here with you guys where I belong. How have you coped without me?" she enquired.
"Terribly," all three of her companions groaned in chorus. Tonks tinkled a laugh.
"Well it's nice to know I've been missed."
"More than missed," Remus mumbled quietly. She smiled to him, feeling her cheeks warm.
"I've more than missed you too," she replied softly. Harry broke their locked gaze.
"Aw isn't that sweet. Group hug!" he cried. Tonks and Remus groaned as Harry threw his arms around the pair, minding the babies as he did so. Hermione joined in, giggling. The twins lay contently in the middle of the pack. Even Monster sat nearby, swishing her tail madly, her wide mouth open in a grin-like state and her moist pink tongue lolling happily.
"Where's Beaky?" Harry said suddenly. "Hey Buckbeak, you're missing this!" he called towards the stairs in jest. The group laughed but were silently relieved when the Hippogriff ignored Harry's hollering.
Tonks laughed the loudest, thankful to be back with her family, where she truly belonged. The war was still to come, but this unit was strong. There was danger and turmoil ahead, but Tonks was with the ones she loved and it would only make her stronger. She was with her family, and she was home.
A/N: And now follows the epilogue. It's just a lil idea that came to me. Plus, at Alice L Longbottom's request, it will feature most, if not all of the Weasley's (Except Percy, bah Percy!)
Thanks again for reading. This story's nearly over...