Intimate Confessions

Gijane

Disclaimer, Rating, Summary: See Chapter One

Chapter Notes: Dumbledore's funeral (WHY, Ms Rowling, WHY!)

Author's Note: The plotline continues into my Year 7 fic (which is rapidly gaining epic status). That is being submitted to the SugarQuill. I'll probably post it here as well.

OH MY! You got Ch13 AND the Epilogue in one night! I'm off to London (no, siriusly, I am) on Wednesday, so I wanted this fic up and complete before I took off. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. My Year 7 epic, 'Harry Potter and the Hunt for the Horcruxes' was accepted at SugarQuill! YEAH! Thanks to all, espically my 3 betas.

Epilogue- Farewell and Persevering

Tonks and Lupin Apparated back to the Manor. McGonagall's Patronus was waiting outside the kitchen door for them. It meowed a greeting then relayed its message and instructions. Once it had vanished, they exchanged sad glances. Tonks began to cry. Lupin held back his own tears and wrapped his arms around Tonks.

"I can't believe his funeral is tomorrow." She whispered. The two sank onto a couch in the living room, pulling into his lap. "Dumbledore…dead. I thought he'd outlive us all."

"We all did, love." He soothed. "We all did."

Early the next morning they soberly prepared for the difficult day ahead. Lupin, dressed in his best suit and robes, turned around as he heard Tonks' gasp of dismay from behind. She stood in front of the full-length mirror peering at herself. She was dressed in a black calf length skirt, white blouse, and black robes. "I look…old."

He let out a bark of laughter. "You look wonderful. It's very appropriate."

"I didn't even knew I owned such clothes. Do you really like it?"

"That would be Katrina again." He laughed, walking over to her. Tilting her face up to his, he kissed her. "Yes, I do. I like it a lot."

"Remind me to thank her later." She muttered, while returning his kiss. "Let's go, before we start something. Then we'll be late."

"If we got there at all." He said. She laughed.

They Apparated into Hogsmeade and joined the people who were making their way to Hogwarts. The school's gates were open. Proudfoot and Savage stood guard. They both nodded at Tonks but remained almost unreadable, but their eyes showed compassion.

"I'll have to wait until they are off duty to see what's been going on." She whispered to him. He nodded.

As they approached the front doors, they recognized the upright form of Minerva McGonagall, dressed in all black, a sign of mourning. She seemed to be searching for someone. As her eyes landed on them, she offered a ghost of a smile, noting that they were holding hands.

"Remus, Nymphadora…there you are. Come, the rest of the Order is waiting in the Hospital Wing with Bill."

"Hello, Minerva. How are you holding up?" Lupin asked her gently.

"As well as can be expected. Now, how are you two doing? I see that you actually took Arthur's and my advice, Remus."

Lupin told her. "I listened to both of yours, but it was actually Ron that spurred me into action."

Tonks, who had been informed of Ron's words, smiled.

"I just heard about that from Molly. I'm glad you listened to someone. And you." She turned to Tonks. "You're actually in your natural state."

"You don't like it?" Tonks asked, twirling a honey blonde curl around a finger.

"Oh I do, Nymphadora. I'm just trying to figure out why you never stayed natural for any of my classes."

"It was Transfiguration, Professor." Tonks smirked. Lupin chuckled, but covered it up with a cough as McGonagall glared at him.

"I do think that Albus would have preferred bubblegum pink." McGonagall offered another ghost of a smile as Tonks immediately scrunched her eyes up and morphed her hair.

"I'm glad that there's a little more love in this world with you two. Albus would have been so pleased." She paused to collect herself. "Now off to the Hospital Wing, I have to see to the students." She told them as she entered the Great Hall.

As they entered the Hospital Wing, the other members of the Order of the Phoenix greeted them. Molly and Hestia Jones rushed over to hug Tonks while Arthur and Kingsley Shacklebolt shook Lupin's hand.

They all turned sombre faced when Professor Sprout entered the room a short time later. "It's time. I have to go meet Hufflepuff now. I'm sorry everyone."

Fleur helped Bill out of bed and the Order filed out behind the Herbology professor and made their way to the grounds. As they passed the Great Hall, they could hear the hum of hundreds of students. They made their way to where the chairs and a table were set up for the ceremony by the lake. They noted all the different people that had come to show their final respects to the fallen Headmaster.

"What's she doing here? " Hissed Tonks as her eyes found Dolores Umbridge.

"I don't know, but not now, Dora. Here come the children."

They watched as the students filed down from the school and took their seats. Lupin leaned forward to find Harry. Tonks knew when he did because he took her hand and squeezed it.

When the staff took their seats, a strange music began to fill the air. "There." Lupin pointed towards the lake. The Merpeople had arrived.

"And there." Tonks murmured, pointing towards the Forbidden Forest. The centaurs as well were showing their respect.

Hagrid walked up the aisle carrying Dumbledore's body, which was wrapped in purple velvet spangled with gold stars. Hagrid placed the Headmaster's body on the table, and then shuffled off towards the back where his half brother was seated. The officiator stood and began to speak. Lupin squeezed Tonks' hand harder, holding back his emotions. She let her tears flow free.

After the officiator was done speaking, several people screamed as white flames erupted around Dumbledore's body. Seconds later, a white marble tomb stood where the table had just been. A few more screams came as a shower of arrows were shot off by the centaurs.

With that tribute, the ceremony was over. Lupin and Tonks rose. Shacklebolt, who had taken the day off from his job of protecting the Muggle Prime Minister, asked Lupin how his mission had gone. They sat chatting for a few minutes until Tonks pulled on Lupin's arm. "Look." She said.

Rufus Scrimgeour limped towards Harry, who was walking around the edge of the lake.

"I can't believe him. Again? I thought Christmas was a totally inappropriate time for him to approach Harry, but this is even worse." Lupin made to intercept the Minister, but several hands pulled him back.

"You can't, Remus. Not with the whole of the Wizarding world here. I know he's your godson, but Scrimgeour is the Minister." McGonagall told him as she walked up.

The Order watched as the Minister approached Harry. Their conversation didn't last long. Scrimgeour, Percy, and the rest of the Ministry delegation took their leave, the third Weasley son glancing back to where his family stood as he walked away.

"That's a positive sign." Bill said a bit raspier than usual. Fleur leaned her head on his chest. "He might come around sooner rather than later."

"All the children are coming home." Molly told everyone. They could all tell she was pleased.

"We're moving back in." Fred said, indicating both he and George.

"Charlie got a transfer home." Arthur told them.

"They'll all be home soon them, Molly." Tonks said. "Including Percy."

"We're headed home to change." Lupin said. "Nymphadora and I are meeting the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross. She's escorting Harry to Surrey."

"That should please his family, having a fully trained witch come into their home." Mad-Eye Moody grunted.

"They don't know he's coming home this early." McGonagall told him.

"All the better, she'll be uninvited." Moody grinned.

"Mad-eye, stop it!" Tonks chastised. "Goodbye everyone. We'll see you soon."

"Minerva, if you need a place for Order meetings, the Manor is yours. Goodbye." Taking Tonks' hand, they set off towards the gates.

"Take me home, Remus. We'll make love all night. Well, after I'm done dropping off Harry." Tonks whispered to him.

"Your wish is my command, Dora love. I do feel rather guilty for being so happy at such a sad time, but I know that Dumbledore would be pleased. Just like Minerva said." Lupin grinned down at her then tugged on a short pink spike. "I do love the pink."

His grin grew larger as her laugh echoed across the school grounds.

FINIS