Tonks leaned against the window frame in the Astronomy Tower and studied the moon that seemed to hang just above the horizon. It was waxing gibbous. She had taken it upon herself to learn the phases of the moon, she wanted to be prepared for what was to come each month. The full moon was due in a couple days and she hadn't heard from Remus in a week.

Each night, she watched as the moon grew larger and her worry for Remus grew as well. Was he getting enough rest? Was he pushing himself too much to help the Order? The night before he changed, he was usually so weak he would have some tea and retire to bed early so he could rest up for what was to come. That night she would crawl into bed and cuddle up beside him, trying to warm his tired body with her own. They had done that every month since they had started seeing each other and it hurt to not be with him now, to take care of him.

He had the wolfsbane potion and she knew he would lock himself away from other people before transforming. But she hated the idea of him being alone now when he was so weak, so tired.

The previous week, he had written to tell her that he had contacted the St. Johns, the parents of the girl who had been bitten by Greyback, but they hadn't replied.

Veritaserum had been applied to all the Death Eaters captured, with mixed results. Voldemort did not get where he was by being stupid. He hadn't shared much with his followers because he knew that if they had been captured, they would have been given the truth serum. Most of his followers had just said that he was getting stronger and looking forward to his showdown with Harry Potter. Dolohov had a bit more information, but all he told them was that he had seen Voldemort a few days earlier and the Dark Lord was appearing weak again and was worried about the destruction of five horcruxes. Apparently, Voldemort had underestimated Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

The most disturbing news they had learned was that Greyback was working alone. It appeared that Voldemort had lost control over the deadly werewolf, but he didn't seem to mind too much since Greyback was still going after his enemies, with Remus being at the top of his list.

Tonks glanced over her shoulder when she heard the 'creak' of the door opening. "Hi Paul."

"I've been looking everywhere for you," Dunne said as he entered the room.

"What's up?"

"You disappeared over an hour ago, I was worried."

"I just needed some time alone to think."

He leaned against the other side of the window, "What about?"

"Just…stuff."

"Remus?"

"Yeah."

Dunne looked up and saw the nearly full moon. "Can I ask you what he does during a full moon?"

Tonks hesitated.

"I'm just curious, Tonks. He can't be all bad if you care so much for him."

She smiled softly. "He takes the wolfsbane potion that allows him to keep his mind after he transforms and he goes some place where he won't be around people so he isn't in danger of attacking anyone."

"Where?"

"I can't tell you. But there are a couple of places he can go."

"Have you ever…" He stopped, apparently thinking over how he wanted to say what he was going to say. "Have you ever been there when he transformed?"

"No." She shook her head and looked back up at the sky. "He won't allow it. Even though he keeps his own mind, he doesn't want to take the chance of harming me."

"You really love him, don't you?" Dunne asked quietly.

"More than I could ever tell you," she replied honestly.

"I envy you, Tonks."

"What do you mean?"

"I've never experienced that and…and there was a time I thought I could, but she…she didn't return my feelings."

Tonks slowly turned to face him. "You will, Paul. There is someone out there for you too, the right one, and you'll find her."

Looking uncomfortable, he rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the floor. "Uh, yeah, thanks. Urm, Fitzgerald wants us to do some rounds outside, I'll meet you at the main entrance in ten minutes."

"All right. I'll have to swing by my room and pick up my scarf and gloves and I'll meet you there." She watched as he nodded and then left the room.

Tonks glanced out the window again and looked at the nearly full moon. "I hope you're taking care of yourself, Remus." A movement caught her eye and she squinted into the night sky. An owl swooped toward the castle and she watched as it passed the owlry and glided toward her.

"Hi there," she whispered as the bird glided to the window she was leaning against. "Is that for me?"

The owl hooted softly and held its leg out to her.

Tonks untied the piece of parchment and unrolled it.

Dora,

I don't know what you've heard at the school, but we have some more information. I am going to be staying at the Shrieking Shack and I will stop up at the castle this evening. Minerva knows I'm coming, I want to speak with you. As soon as you're free, go to Minerva's office and I'll meet you there.

Remus

She furrowed her brow as she reread the note. Something about the tone of it worried her.

The owl hadn't waited, so Remus wasn't expecting a reply. Stuffing the parchment into her pocket, Tonks took off to her room. The faster she met Dunne and they did their rounds, the sooner she could meet Remus.

It was two hours before Tonks was able to make her way to the Headmistress' office. I hope I didn't miss him, she thought.

"Catnip."

"Come in!" McGonagall called out when Tonks knocked.

Remus and Hagrid sat with Minerva by the fire. She immediately noticed that Remus looked thin and exhausted. His face was pale and drawn and he had allowed his hair to grow a bit so it fell into his face. She longed to cross to him, to kiss and soothe him, but it was neither the time nor the place and so she took the empty chair Minerva had sat beside her.

"How are you doing Tonks?" The Headmistress asked.

"I'm doing fine, Ma'am. My partner and I just finished rounds outside and all was clear."

"I'm glad to hear that. We've been sitting here for quite a while now, but Remus wanted to wait until you were here before he told us what new information he had come across."

Tonks turned to him. "How are you?"

He waved off her concern with a flick of his wrist, "I'm fine. Really. I spoke with Mad-Eye the other day and he and I think it's important for the three of you to know this. We have found out that Greyback has been taking the wolfsbane Potion."

"What exactly does that mean to us?" Minerva asked.

"That means that he has, for the most part, been aware of what he's been doing in his wolf form. Before the wolfsbane Potion, when a werewolf took on their wolf form, they were unable to control their behavior, a sort of dementia took over. But with the wolfsbane Potion, we can now keep our mind, be more aware of what we're doing."

"So the attack on the girl, Hannah, was totally planned," Tonks said.

Remus nodded. "I didn't know that he was on wolfsbane at the time because he had targeted me, specifically, when I was young. I believe back then he put himself near me at the time of the full moon so that when he changed, he would have a good chance of attacking me. I had assumed that's how he attacked the St. John's girl.But now we know he has been on wolfsbane for a couple of years now and every attack since then had been carefully plotted and carried out."

"How'd'ja find out?" Hagrid asked.

"One of the Death Eaters who had been given Veritaserum admitted that they had helped mix the potion for Greyback. Moody and I wanted you all to know this because we think he might be in the area. I'm afraid he's after Tonks but I don't think he'll be picky, if he can't find her, he'll go after someone else. We were thinking he might go after Ginny because of her connection to Harry and because she's a Weasley."

Tonks buried her face in her hands. If anything happened to Ginny while she was there, she didn't know how she could live with herself.

"We won't let that happen," Minerva said, determinedly. "The full moon is arriving soon and the castle will be put into lockdown. All classes, everything will be held inside, no one leaves."

"Moody said he will come and help with protection," Remus said, glancing at Tonks as she raised her head. "And he's going to see what he can do about more, especially on the night of the full moon."

"Tonks?"

She looked at Minerva as she addressed her. "Yes, Ma'am?"

"If you no longer feel comfortable or safe here, I can request another auror."

"No, Minerva, I can handle this." She looked over at Remus who met her gaze with a grim one.

"I'll talk to the Centuars and some of the others in the forest, have them keep a look out for him," Hagrid suggested.

"That's a good idea," Remus said. "Just do it during the day and go armed."

"I will call a meeting with all the professors," Minerva told them. "I'll let them know what is coming. Then I'll speak with the Head Boy and Girl. I would rather not tell the students, I don't want them scared."

"They're already scared," Tonks pointed out.

"I don't want to add to it."

"If you all don't have any more questions for me, then I am going to head out," Lupin said.

"Of course, of course." Minerva stood. "It is getting late. Please, keep us informed of any new information that arises, Remus."

He nodded and pushed himself out of his chair. "Of course, Minerva."

"I'll see you out," Tonks said, jumping to her feet.

As soon as they were out of the office, Tonks reached over and laced her fingers through his. "How are you, Remus, really?"

"Oh, you know, I'm just tired and worn out. Same old, same old."

"Are you really staying at the Shrieking Shack?"

"Yes."

She wrinkled her nose. "Why?"

"It's close by and it's a safe place for me to transform."

"But it's drafty and dusty and just all around gross."

"It serves its purpose and I've cleaned it up a bit. It's fine."

"If you wanted, I'm sure Minerva can find a room for you here…"

"No, Dora, I'll be fine. The moon will be full in two nights and right now I told Moody that I would stay near Hogsmeade and keep an eye out for Greyback."

"Be careful."

"You too."

"Have you been eating well?"

"Yes, Mum," he muttered sarcastically.

"Don't sass me, I worry about you."

The corners of his mouth quirked up into a small smile, it felt good to have someone worry about him. "I've been doing this for years, Dora, I know what I'm doing."

"Come here." Tonks tugged on his hand and pulled him into an empty classroom.

"Dora, you know I would love to, but I've been so busy lately and I am so tired."

"Get your mind out of the gutter," she teased lightly. "I have other things in mind." Tonks stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his shoulder. "I've missed you."

Remus returned her embrace, squeezing gently. "I've missed you too."

For several minutes, they stood in the darkened classroom holding each other close. Tonks closed her eyes, feeling his heart beat steadily and letting the gentle rise and fall of his chest lull her.

"Dora?" He nuzzled her hair.

"Hm?"

"I love you."

He spoke so softly that she was afraid she hadn't heard him right. "What did you say?"

"I love you."

Tonks tilted her head back and looked at him. "Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Say it again."

He chuckled softly. "I love you, Dora."

She rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his in a quick kiss. "I've waited so long to hear you say that."

"I'm an old fool."

"Yes you are. Say it again."

Remus laid his forehead against hers. "I love you, Dora, only you, forever."

Feeling a bit foolish, Tonks blinked back tears that gathered in her eyes. "I love you too, you old fool."

"Stay safe, Love."

"You too."

"I have to go, I'm very tired."

"Take care of yourself, Remus, you're very important to me."

A smile flittered across his lips as he brushed them over hers. "I'll come to you after the moon."

"I'll be waiting for you." Tonks took his hand and led him from the classroom. "When this is all over I expect you to marry me."

"Well, we'll have to see about that."

"I don't mean right away, after Voldemort is defeated and life gets back to some sense of normalcy."

"We'll talk about it."

"In great depth."

Remus stopped in front of the main door. "We'll see. Good night, Love."

"Say it again, Remus."

He rolled his eyes, "Dora, I've said it plenty of times."

"No you haven't, I've waited a long time to hear it and I've been saying it to you for ages and you need to catch up."

"I love you, Nymphadora Tonks."

She hugged him tightly. "I love you too, Remus Lupin."

"Take care, Dora. Be careful."

"You too."

He stole one last quick kiss before slipping out the door. Tonks watched as he hurried across the open grounds, wand in hand, toward the Whomping Willow. She knew he would freeze the branches and take the hidden tunnel to the Shrieking Shack.

The day of the full moon found Tonks feeling anxious and distracted. Something was coming. The air was alive with tense electricity.

Or maybe she was imagining it.

Since Dolohov's capture, it had been quiet in Hogsmeade. The Flumes had been buried and Honeydukes boarded up, their children did not want to reopen the store at this time. Neither Mrs. Weasley nor Ginny had heard anything from the trio in several days and the lack of activity from the Death Eaters had everyone guessing what was happening to Voldemort and Harry.

Although she wasn't technically on duty, Tonks was walking the hallways of Hogwarts. As though they were sensing it as well, the other aurors, including Moody, were also wandering the grounds and hallways of the castle. Clouds hung heavy and dark in the sky, signaling what was going to be a doozy of a storm.

"Tonks."

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Mad-Eye Moody hobbling toward her. "Wotcher, Moody."

"You feeling it?"

"Yeah. What is it?"

"The end is near."

She tilted her head, studying his harsh countenance. "What makes you say that?"

"I remember what it was like last time, when Potter almost destroyed Voldemort. But this is different. I can't really explain it, it just is."

"When will we know?"

He glanced at a window as thunder boomed and a spike of lightening streaked from the sky. "You'll know."

"I wonder if Remus…"

"The full moon rises in two hours, leave him be."

"Something is happening, Moody, and he's out there alone."

"He can handle himself."

Tonks jumped at the next crash of thunder and the sky opened up as torrents of rain fell. "The Shrieking Shack isn't very strong, this wind and rain…"

"It has stood for over two decades through wind, rain, snow, sleet, and werewolves. It's fine."

"You're not very sympathetic, Moody."

"Sympathy is only good for letting your enemies get the better of you."

"Have you ever been in love?"

For the first time since she had met him, Tonks noticed that Moody seemed at a loss for words. His glass eye swiveled around, his mouth formed a tight line and his nostrils flared.

"Never had much time for such nonsense," he grumbled. ""Scuse me."

Tonks watched as he hobbled quickly past her and down the hall. She jumped as another crash of thunder echoed around the castle. Checking her watch, she saw that she had another hour before she had to meet with Dunne to do rounds. Maybe I can get a hot cup of tea from the kitchens, she thought, pressing a hand to her stomach. All the stress and emotions that had been running high lately had left Tonks with an upset stomach. It was a problem she had had since she was a little girl, a nervous stomach is what her mother used to call it.

There was another crash of thunder so loud the entire castle shook. And then it was silent. Tonks looked up and down the hall, noticing how quiet and eerie it seemed. There were no children meandering through the halls, no voices filling the silence. Nothing.

Feeling uneasy, Tonks was filled with an overwhelming urge to be with people. Foregoing the kitchens, she turned in the other direction and made her way to Minerva's office.

"Catnip." Tonks said impatiently. Once outside the headmistress' door, she knocked loudly.

"Come in."

Minerva sat behind her massive desk and looked up from the parchment she was reading when Tonks entered.

"I'm sorry to bother you," Tonks said hurriedly. "But, well…"

McGonagall nodded, "I understand. I've been feeling a bit uneasy myself. Have a seat, dear. Are you okay? You're looking a bit peaky."

Tonks sank into a chair opposite the desk. "I'm fine, Minerva. I'm just a bit tired and worried and nervous."

"I know what you mean. Something is coming, Tonks, but I don't know what. I've been waiting for word from the Order, but no one has sent anything. I'm beginning to think…" McGonagall trailed off when she heard howling in the distance.

"Fang," Tonks muttered. "That's not Remus. The moon hasn't risen yet."

"It seems the rain has cleared up."

"I hope so. That was one strong storm we had there."

"I'll have to have Hagrid do a quick look around for any damage to the grounds."

"He's probably out there now."

"You're right, that's probably what he and Fang are doing now."

Both women jumped at the quick, insistent knock at the door.

"Come in!" Minerva called out.

The door opened and Ginny Weasley stepped in, her entire body trembling as she clutched a piece of parchment in her hand.

"Goodness, girl, what is it?" McGonagall asked, getting to her feet. "You look as though you've had an awful fright."

"It…i-it's over!" Ginny managed to choke out.

"What?"

"It's over!" She held out the hand that held the crumpled paper.

Professor McGonagall pried it from her fingers and smoothed out the wrinkles. Tonks appeared at her side and read over her shoulder.

Ginny,


It's over. Voldemort is dead. Harry and Ron are both hurt, badly. I'm going to get them to St. Mungo's. I'm sending Hedwig to your Mum and then you, keep an eye on her.

Hermione

Tonks read the note twice. "He…he's dead?"

"That's Hermione's handwriting," Ginny said shakily, twisting her hands. "And…and Hedwig, she's up in my dorm."

"Oh," Minerva clasped a hand over her mouth. "We have to tell Moody and Kingsley. I'm sure you're parents are already at St. Mungo's dear, go, grab a few things and we'll all go together."

Ginny nodded, still shaking as she ran from the room.

AN: No, this is not the end...