Lupin's feet touched the dirt ground of the Burrow's driveway in the evening, just when the sun was setting. Slightly disoriented, Lupin looked around to make sure he was in the right place. Apparition, though helpful, was never a pleasant way of travel. He adjusted the hem of his jacket and brushed off some dirt from his shoulders as he strolled toward the front door of the Burrow. Lupin knocked three times.

"Who is it?" Arthur Weasley's voice rang out from behind the door.

"It's Remus," said Lupin, hoping not to be interrogated to confirm his identity.

"What is your favorite candy?" Arthur called. Lupin rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, Remus. Do we have to?"

"Ministry policy!" Mr. Weasley said importantly. Lupin smiled softly to himself and shook his head.

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans." There was a slight pause.

"What flavor?"

"Oh, for God's sake," Lupin laughed as he turned the doorknob, letting himself in. A smiling, tall, thin, and ginger-haired Arthur stood in his way and gave a hearty laugh.

"Just kidding, Remus. Come in!" he chuckled, giving Lupin a energetic embrace, "Let me take that" Lupin handed over his suitcase to Arthur, and looked around to see a cheerful Molly Weasley. She hastily shuffled her way towards him and gave him a bone-crushing squeeze.

"Oh, Remus, dear! So happy to see you," she chirped happily, "Goodness, you're thin. Sit down, sit down! Cake's almost ready." Lupin was pushed into a chair that did not match any of the others at the dining table. He gazed across it to see the cheerful faces of Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Fred, and George.

"Harry birthday, Harry," Lupin congratulated with a grin.

"Thanks, Professor Lupin," grinned Harry. It almost brought tears to Lupin's eyes, hearing Harry call him professor. Instead, he smiled proudly. He was glad to be smiling. He was glad to see others smiling. It had been so long ago when he last smiled because he was happy. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and Lupin's thoughts were interrupted by a cake with seventeen candles on it floating toward the dining table. Lupin glanced behind the cake, and saw a wand pointed at it. He recognized the wand, and he felt a strange feeling. It was a feeling similar to missing a step when going downstairs. Your heart drops and lands on your spine as you desperately try to hold onto something. He glanced up to the holder of the wand to see mousy brown hair and a pretty, heart-shaped face.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY…" The loud chorus of the birthday song was merely a buzz in Lupin's ears as he and Tonks made eye contact. Her face was almost expressionless, though Lupin thought (or hoped) he saw a hint of a smile in her eyes. She stared at Lupin for only a moment longer before she tore her eyes away to look at Harry. Lupin turned his head to see all seventeen candles successfully blown out.

"All right, presents!" grinned Ginny, pushing a small and clumsily wrapped present toward Harry. Lupin looked down at his lap shamefully, knowing he did not have anything to give Harry. He had no money and no time for anything anymore. He nervously fiddled with his fingers as he slowly looked up and saw Harry gleefully clutching a hand knitted scarf in his hand while hugging Ginny.

"Mom's been teaching me how to knit," she said, and Molly smiled proudly. They all continued to give Harry presents. Fred and George of course gave the most amusing present. It was a fake snitch that retorted rude remarks when you tried to catch it.

"Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes' best!" Fred said.

"That item is flying off the shelves," chimed George. Harry reached out to catch the snitch, and the feathers of its wings formed into an ugly hand gesture. Lupin thought he even saw Molly smile.

Harry looked at Lupin, and there was an awkward moment between them. Harry's face was anticipating a gift, and Lupin's was contorted in shame. Harry's eyes widened a little as he began to understand and he looked away, quickly changing the subject.

"I better put these things upstairs," he said.

"We'll help," replied Ron. He, Hermione, and Ginny took the various gifts and ran upstairs. Lupin sighed miserably as he massaged his forehead. A hand fell on his shoulders and he looked up to see Tonks.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine."

"Good, because I need to talk to you." Lupin nodded slowly as he got up. He couldn't say he wasn't expecting this, but he could say that he wasn't ready. They stepped outside into the cold night as they both tightened their jackets around themselves. Tonks' eyes held Lupin's for what seemed like hours before she finally spoke.

"So, how are things really going?" she inquired, her voice low but strong. Lupin tore away from her eyes and looked just above the horizon, where the waxing moon shone bright. He felt that there was no point in lying.

"Greyback doesn't trust me," he muttered.

"Why?"

"Because I questioned the loyalty of Voldemort in front of him." There was silence, and a few seconds later the sound of her voice filled his ears.

"What did he do to you?"

"Nothing…yet. He wants me to show my loyalty."

"How?" Lupin's eyes met back with Tonks'. He wanted to show her how dangerous he was. How he didn't deserve her love.

"I have to kill a muggle, and bring the body back to him," said Lupin simply. Tonks' eyes widened with fear.

"What are you going to do?" breathed Tonks, her voice shaky.

"Go back…eventually… without a muggle body. I will face Greyback myself." Tonks gasped and walked quickly towards Lupin.

"No…no, Remus, you can't! H-He'll slaughter you," she whispered desperately, "No one says you have to go back." Lupin's eyes narrowed a little.

"Dumbledore ordered me to."

"Dumbledore…Dumbledore is-"

"Dead! I know!" shouted Lupin. He turned his back toward Tonks, and his voice became gentle again. "I gave him my word, Tonks. I can't back out on it. Especially now. I can defeat Greyback. I have to…" There was a long pause, and all Lupin could hear was the wind whistling through the trees. He closed his eyes and breathed deep. Tonks' hand again found its way to his shoulder. Eyes still closed, he turned around. Slowly he opened them to see Tonks' face, blushed and red from the cold wind. All he could think of was how beautiful she was, as she looked at him with those dark, twinkling eyes. There was a long pause between them as she drew in a breath.

"Remus…do you love me?" she asked, her voice low and soft. Lupin looked away. "Look me in the eyes, Remus." He did. He knew what he wanted to say. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to be happy. But, more, importantly, he wanted her to be happy. He knew what he had to say.

"No," he said unconvincingly, "I don't love you."

"What?" Tonks shouted, "too old, too poor, too dangerous? Damnit, Remus, I don't care!" Tonks came even closer to Lupin, they were just inches apart.

"Yes…you saw me…I-I couldn't even afford a present for Harry," whispered Lupin, his voice cracking and shaking. He felt Tonks' hands on his as he stared into her eyes.

"You've given Harry something more valuable than anything you could buy in a store," she breathed, inching even closer. Lupin looked longingly into her eyes. He wanted her…He wanted so badly to be happy. But, he knew he couldn't have her. He knew what he had to do. He broke away from Tonks' hypnotizing gaze and let go of her hand.

"I don't love you," stated Lupin again, strongly this time, "I just don't feel that way…I'm sorry." He anxiously looked back at Tonks. He could hardly bear to see tears form in her eyes. She bowed her head, letting her tears drop helplessly to the ground. He put his hands on her shoulders, but she roughly shrugged them off.

"Don't…don't touch me!" Tonks cried. Lupin sighed. There was no more he could say, so he walked past Tonks into the Burrow, leaving her in the cold, dark, night.