Disclaimer: Nope, I'm still same old me, I'm not J.K. Rowling, who is a genious and one of my heroes who I look up to.

A/N: Thank you so much you guys for your reviews. I read every single one and I get sostoked when you guys say that I've done the HP series justice and that you like my writing. So I hope you guys will still think that after this chapter so read on.

Remus re-entered the room with the sunken floor and descending stone benches and stairs with Hermoine, Neville, Ginny, Luna and Ron. Kingsley seemed to be hurt, but not too badly, Moody was still over Tonks who was still unconscious and in the middle of the sunken floor were about a dozen or more Death Eaters all bound up by Dumbledore's spell. Remus purposely avoided looking at the archway or veil.

"Are they all right?" Kingsley asked, wincing slightly as he limped towards them.

"I think so, but this one," Remus inclined his head towards Ron who he was still supporting, "I think needs to be taken to Madam Pomfrey immediately."

Ron giggled. "Pomfrey? That's a funny name." And he started laughing and Remus had to re-double his grip on him before he could slump over on the floor.

Kingsley raised his eyebrows at Ron. "I see."

"You're Kingsley Shacklebolt, aren't you?" The girl called Luna asked from somewhere behind Remus.

Remus and Kingsley turned to look at her. How did this girl know everything? No way could she be an Occlumens.

"You work for the Ministry," She said. "Did you know that Fudge has his own army?"

"Where's Harry?" Ginny interrupted her.

That was a good question. Remus hadn't the faintest idea where Harry was, exactly. He had threatened to kill Bellatrix but what if she had killed him first? What if he was lying, dead somewhere? But wait, Dumbledore had gone after him, Harry was safe. This thought comforted Remus a great deal. Before Remus could answer Ginny, a man came through the door. He had on scarlet robes and had a long ponytail.

"Merlin's beard! It's true." He said, gawking at the pile of Death Eaters.

"Williamson." Kinglsey said, stepping forward carefully and taking Williamson's hand.

Williamson looked like he might faint. "What? How? What on earth happened?" He asked.

Kingsley looked from the Death Eaters to Williamson. "Well…You-Know-Who was here, along with several of his followers. We got most of them but I take it he escaped?"

Williamson shook his head, looking thunderstruck.

"If I may…" Remus interrupted. "We really need to get these children back to Hogwarts and to the Hospital Wing."

Williamson, who hadn't noticed anyone else, was startled a little. "You? You're that werewolf, aren't you?" He raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Lay off Williamson, he's fine. And he's also right, we do need to get these children back to Hogwarts." Kingsley said firmly.

"Right, uh-just let me-let me go get Fudge." And he disappeared.

"Here, Kingsley, can you take Ron for a moment?" Remus asked.

"Sure." He said and with some difficulty, Kingsley managed to prop Ron up, despite being somewhat injured.

Remus walked over to where Moody lay hunched over Tonks. He heard him mutter several incantations.

"She'll need to be taken to St. Mungo's." Moody said before Remus had asked his question.

"Is she going to be all right?" Remus asked, he couldn't take it if something happened to Tonks as well.

"I think so, that spell Lestrange hit her with was might powerful but Tonks is strong, she'll pull through." Moody said.

Remus knelt down beside Moody and stared at the unconscious form of Tonks. She was awfully pale and she had a dried stream of blood that was issuing from her bottom lip.

"I'll escort the children back to Hogwarts if you want to take her to St. Mungo's." Moody offered, eyeing Remus with both eyes.

"Thank you." Remus said.

Moody gave a rare smile, got up and limped towards the children. Remus turned and stared at Tonks again. He pulled an old handkerchief out of the inside of his robes and licked it and rubbed off the dried blood and pushed some of the stray pink hairs out of her face. He then put one arm under her neck and the other under her waist and lifted her up gently and cradled her in his arms. Though she had been knocked out on the floor for at least a couple hours, she still felt warm. Remus was halfway up the stone steps when Fudge and Dumbledore entered the room. Fudge looked as if someone had just slapped him while Dumbledore looked calm and serene.

"And just where do you think you're going with one of my Aurors?" Fudge asked heatedly, eyeing Remus with dislike.

"I'm taking her to St. Mungo's. She's been knocked out and needs medical assistance." Remus replied coolly.

Fudge scoffed. "If you think I'm going to let a werewolf take one of my Aurors out of here just like that –"

"Remus is harmless Cornelius." Dumbledore interrupted. "Let him take young Tonks here to St. Mungo's while I take these children back to my school. I've told you everything tonight and I can only hope that this time, the Ministry will work with us and not against us. For now, the second war has indeed begun. Voldemort (Fudge shuddered at this name but Dumbledore ignored it) has shown himself and will indeed have more followers follow him and do his bidding. We all must stick together now; be united against the enemy."

Fudge looked at Remus holding Tonks sheepishly and diverted his eyes to the pile of Death Eaters. "V-Very well." He said and without another look at Remus, he descended the stone benches and towards the captive Death Eaters.

"Thank you Headmaster." Remus said.

Dumbledore smiled but it was a kind of sad smile. "You're welcome Remus. You best get Tonks to St. Mungo's." Remus obeyed and walked the rest of the way, past Dumbledore, through the door but before he had gotten very far, Dumbledore spoke again. "And Remus," Remus turned around so he was facing Dumbledore. "I'm so sorry about Sirius."

Remus nodded sadly and turned and walked away. He felt Dumbledore's eyes on him for a minute. Once Remus had exited the lifts, he went to one of the many fireplaces that lined the Ministry lobby and grabbed some Floo Powder that was lying in a bowl by one of them.

"St. Mungos." Remus said clearly.

The flames turned emerald green and Remus got in and was soon at St. Mungo's. The reception area wasn't nearly as crowded, as it had been when Arthur had been attacked. There were a few people. A tall, middle-aged wizard had a long, silver beard to rival Dumbledore's; the only difference was that the middle-aged wizard's beard continued to grow by the second. It was so long that it piled into a neat little formation at his feet. Another wizard was there but he seemed to be perfectly normal to Remus.

"Ah, Mr. Derwitz, a Healer will see you now." The blonde receptionist told the perfectly normal looking wizard.

He got up and when he opened his mouth, a squawk you might hear from some sort of bird issued out of his mouth. There were a few others but Remus didn't have time to notice them, he had to get Tonks to a Healer.

"I need help now." Remus said urgently.

The blonde receptionist looked up from her Witch Weekly. "Oh my – What happened?" She asked, coming around from her desk and towards Remus and the unconscious Tonks.

Remus was actually a little surprised at the receptionist's worry and professionalism. When he had been here to see Arthur, she talked in a bored voice and hardly noticed the patients.

"Wait right here, I'll go get a Healer." And she disappeared down the hall and returned a second later with a wizard in lime green robes and a clipboard; he was a Healer.

"This is Rodney Wilscabar, he's a Healer, and he'll take care of your girlfriend for you." The receptionist informed Remus.

Remus didn't even correct the receptionist and tell her that Tonks was not his girlfriend; he just wanted Tonks to be well.

"Here, lay her on this." Rodney said as a stretcher came floating their way. Remus laid Tonks gently onto it. "We'll have to run some tests and that sort but I think she's going to be fine." Rodney said as he bent down to lift Tonks' eyelids and examine her eyes. "You can wait here if you like. We'll tell you when you can see her."

Remus thanked the Healer and watched as Rodney led the stretcher and Tonks away, down the hall. Remus went over and sat on one of the rickety wooden chairs. His mind was racing. Was Tonks going to be okay? Was Harry okay? What was going to happen now? And Sirius – Remus suddenly felt numb. Sirius was gone…forever. He was never going to see his best friend ever again. Tears started forming in Remus' eyes again but he didn't force them down this time. He let them flow down his face, not bothering to wipe them away. Sirius was dead. The thought still brought a shock to Remus. Sirius was truly gone; he was never going to make one of his snide comments or witty jokes or even badmouth Snape ever again.

Remus still couldn't get the look on Sirius' face. It was mingled with fear and surprise, the look in his eyes, the way he fell…Remus would be haunted by this image for the rest of his life. Why did Sirius come? Why couldn't he have just stayed at Grimmauld Place like Snape asked him too? Remus buried his face in his hands and wept silently. First he had lost James and Lily and Peter; all to Voldemort and now his last true best friend was gone. Remus wasn't sure how much more loss and despair he could take, his heart had already been torn apart and now there was an even bigger hole missing from it. The image of Sirius being attacked then falling through the archway, through the veil replayed itself over and over again in Remus' mind. There was nothing for Remus to live for anymore. All of his best friends he had known since he was a child were gone, he had nobody left.

Suddenly, Tonks sprang to his mind. Wait, he did have somebody left…Tonks. But he could never be with her, especially now. He couldn't risk or bear losing another person he had loved. But maybe that was just what he needed now, someone to love. Someone to come home to and hold and tell everything to. Maybe he could allow himself to love Tonks. Remus' spirits rose very slightly only to be brought down again. Tonks was unconscious. Who was to say that she was going to for sure wake up? What if she was in this coma-like state forever? Remus cried more into his hands and wished that he had died along with Sirius tonight.

Remus didn't know exactly how long he had been sitting there, pondering his thoughts and crying silently until a hand on his shoulder made him jump.

"Sorry. But they say you can go see your girlfriend now. She's going to be fine. The Healers say she's going to pull through. She's still unconscious but she should be up soon." The blonde receptionist said gently.

Remus couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."

The receptionist smiled back. "She's on the fourth floor, Nesser ward."

Remus left the reception area and walked down the halls that were lit by crystal bubbles full of candles. He reached the fourth floor, occasionally meeting a Healer on his way, and went to the Nesser ward. The ward was nothing like Arthur's had been. This ward was very big and had two large windows that illuminated the dawn sky. There were 3 other people occupying the beds, asleep, but Remus found Tonks no problem; that pink hair wasn't exactly inconspicuous. She was laid down at the very last bed in the back. She didn't look as pale as she had been but she wasn't her full color yet. She looked so peaceful, lying there. Remus decided to draw the curtains around her bed; he was a very private person. After the curtains were drawn, he grabbed a chair that was sitting by her bed and sat down right by her. He brushed some stray hairs away from her face and took her hand in his and stroked it with his other hand.

"The Healers say you're going to be just fine." He told her quietly. He knew it was somewhat silly to be talking to someone who was unconscious but somehow, he got the feeling that Tonks was listening to every word he said. "You really did some wonderful dueling tonight, Tonks. I gotta say, you really impressed me. But don't worry, Harry and the others are just fine." Remus' voice started to break a little. He continued stroking her hand. "And…there's, something else…" He started crying again, the tears blurring up his vision but he dare not let go of Tonks' hand. "Sirius…well…he, he took on Bellatrix after she knocked you out and he – he…lost." Remus said ever so quietly praying that if he didn't say it too loud it wouldn't make it true but he knew this was foolish to think. "He's gone, Tonks." Remus cried more heavily. "I'm so sorry T-Tonks, I sh-should have do-done something." Remus couldn't have stopped crying even if he had wanted to. "P-Please forgive m-me T-Tonks. I sh-should have done some-something."

Remus had felt a new emotion: guilt. Well, it wasn't exactly a new emotion but he hadn't felt guilty about Sirius' death until now. He should have dueled Bellatrix. Why didn't he? Why didn't he just take her on after what she did to Tonks? He could have stepped in and taken her. But no, he allowed Sirius to duel Bellatrix. Remus was so wrapped up in his guilt that he didn't notice the hand in his, move slightly or the soft moans of someone waking up.

"Remus?"

Remus immediately stopped crying and stared at the now awake Tonks.

"Tonks! You're awake!" Remus couldn't believe his eyes. She was awake, she was awake! "Oh, I'm so glad you're awake!" He said and he wrapped Tonks up in a tight, hug and never wanted to let her go.

"Glad to see that you missed me." She said, returning Remus' hug.

The two just held each other for several minutes. Remus forgot about his guilt, his sadness and depression and even about Sirius' death for a split second. All that was in his mind was that Tonks was here and she was okay and she was in his arms. It was when they broke apart that all the sadness and events of that night came flooding back to him.

"What were you saying about Sirius?" Tonks asked sitting up, still allowing Remus to hold her hand in his.

"You heard me?" Remus asked.

"Of course I did and I wanted to badly to speak to you but I couldn't…it was like I was trapped." She said with a confused expression on her face but she shook her head and looked back at Remus. "But what were you saying about Sirius and Bellatrix? They dueled? I bet Sirius showed her." Tonks said with a satisfied smile.

Remus felt even guiltier now. "Uh…listen Tonks…Sirius is…well he's…Tonks, Sirius is dead." Remus said, forcing himself to look into Tonks' eyes. He deserved to be blamed and he would allow her to yell at him and hit him if she desired.

But Tonks' eyes didn't stare back at Remus' accusingly or even angrily. They were flooded with tears and sadness and her mouth was slightly open.

"What?" She whispered.

"Sirius is…dead." Remus repeated. Just saying it hurt him and tears also started welling up in his eyes. "I'm so sorry Tonks." He said quietly.

Tonks buried herself in Remus' arms and Remus just held her closely, both crying.

"But how?" She asked tearfully, raising her head from Remus' embrace.

Remus didn't really want to recount what had happened but Tonks of all people had the right to know, she was Sirius' family after all. Remus tearfully told Tonks how Sirius had died.

"I'm so sorry Tonks." Remus finished. "I should have stopped him, I should have dueled Bellatrix instead. I'm so sorry." Remus said sincerely, meaning every single word.

"It's not your fault Remus." Tonks said raising her hand and wiping several tears away from Remus' face. "Don't you dare think it's your fault." She said staring into Remus' eyes.

"But I –"

"You didn't do anything. Sirius would be proud of you and I know for a fact that he wouldn't want you to blame yourself." She sniffed, stroked Remus' hair gently.

Remus knew Tonks was right but he still felt somewhat responsible for Sirius' death. He just stared at her for a minute and wiped some stray tears away from her cheek. Somehow, telling Tonks how Sirius had died and talking about it, lessened the pain. He didn't feel as sad and depressed as he had been. He actually felt a little hopeful. Maybe things would turn out for the better, maybe everything could be and would be okay. Remus knew Sirius wouldn't want anybody mourning his death; he'd want them all to continue living and he would want Remus to remember the good times they had had together and he would want Remus to be happy…right?

"You know," Tonks said, tearing Remus away from his thoughts. "I don't think Sirius would have wanted us to cry and be sad." She said, voicing Remus' thoughts out loud.

"You know, I think you're right." Remus said. He still felt immensely sad that his friend was gone and knew it would take a long time before he could truly get over what had happened that night.

Tonks smiled a little and inclined her head towards Remus'. Remus knew what she was trying to do; yet he didn't pull away from her. He did quite the opposite; he inclined his head towards hers. He knew he shouldn't be doing this; this was wrong, way wrong. He was too old too poor and he was dangerous so why was he approaching Tonks' lips with his own? Why didn't he stop himself? Because with Sirius gone, it seemed nothing mattered anymore. So what if Remus kissed Tonks? What harm could it do? For once in his life, Remus was actually considering Sirius' advice. "I don't see why you two don't snog already. She loves you. She doesn't care about your 'furry little problem'. You know, you're hurting yourself as well as her." Sirius' voice echoed in Remus' mind. Maybe Sirius was right.

Remus made up his mind and inclined his head further; Tonks did likewise. Their lips met and Remus tasted Tonks' lips on his own. Her lips were soft and her kisses were passionate yet gentle. Remus didn't know how he had lived without her. Her tongue swept his lips softly and he parted them to allow her entry. Her tongue met his own and it was like a burst of Filibuster's Fireworks had gone off in Remus' mouth. He brushed his hand softly up her cheek and through her soft, pink hair. She stroked his hair softly and affectionately. Remus was glad he had drawn the curtains around Tonks' bed earlier; he was a private person after all.

A/N: Well, there you go, the kiss you've all been dying for. I've had the kiss planned out from the beginning. I personally think that Remus and Tonks shared their first kiss in St. Mungo's but that's just me and my opnion. I hope the kiss was timed right and sorry I didn't go into too much detail with the kiss, this story is rated T after all, lol. Anyways, please please please review, I'm dying to know what you all thought of it.