Disclaimer: Same old, same old.
A/N: Hehe, I KNOW (hopefully, anyways)you're going to like this chapter!
Chapter Thirteen: Opposites Attract
She was screaming, screaming. The wolf approached her, blood already dripping from its sharp claws and teeth. The woman's eyes grew wide, and she flung from the ground, trying desperately to get away. The wolf howled, and pounced, pinning her to the muddy forest floor. She kicked the wolf, hard, and the wolf let out a low snarl.
The woman looked bravely into the creature's eyes, tears drowning her face.
"Remus…please, I love you."
The wolf paid no attention to her words, he was a monster right now, and he would listen to no one. He howled once more, before quickly lifting his bloodstained paw and-
"NO!"
Remus jumped from his bed, eyes wild, trying desperately to regain his breath.
"No…" he murmured. "No…no…no…it was…it was just a dream."
He closed his eyes and took a long, shuddering breath.
It was just a dream.
He nodded slowly, and opened his eyes.
Remus let out a yell. Right in front of him was the grey, wolfish creature from his dream. He was face-to-face with himself.
He stood there, frozen, before he realized that the werewolf was not solid. It was see through, and a ghastly silvery colour.
It was a patronous.
"What…?" Remus murmured to himself, as the wolf continued to stare at him, waiting for him to accept the message. "Whose patronous is this? Not even mine is a wolf…who could…"
Remus stopped cold.
Oh, Merlin, he thought with a shiver. This is Tonks' patronous.
Suddenly, something Harry said to him at Christmastime came back to him.
'"Tonks Patronous has changed,"' he had said. And he had described it being looking 'big and having four legs'.
How had he not put that together then? How stupid could he be?
But a much more disturbing question was prodding his mind at the moment.
Have I really caused her this much pain?
He looked once more at the wolf, and accepted the message. The wolf leant forward, and Remus heard Tonks' voice whisper harshly in his ear.
"Remus, Death Eaters have evaded Hogwarts. We're managing to fend them off, with the help of Neville, Ron and Ginny. Also, Harry's gone. Same with Dumbledore. Hopefully Harry's with him. Please come quickly. And…" Tonks took a slow intake of breath, as though preparing to say something big, but then apparently thought better of it, as the message ended abruptly, and wolf went charging off into the distance.
Remus was had already found his wand and cloak. As soon as the message ended, he Disapparted to Hogsmede.
He steadied himself quickly, and broke out into a sprint towards the castle. When he neared it he saw that the large front doors had already been thrown open. He rushed in, closely followed by Moody.
"Did you happen to get a glance of Tonks' new patronous?" growled Moody from behind him.
Remus sighed. "This is hardly the time, Mad eye."
Moody's magical eyes swiveled toward him. "It's never the time, is it?" He gave a snort of disgust and lowered his voice, "And they call me mad."
Remus opened his mouth, and then thought better of it.
"Blimey, what have they done…?" muttered Moody, as they climbed the marble staircases, looking out for any sign of life.
The walls were a mess, blackened and dented from spells, very powerful ones at that. The floor had debris scattered all over it; and what looked like blood.
Remus shuddered. What if one of the members of the Order had been hurt? Or killed?
His mind immediately flew to Tonks; was she OK?
Shut up, he told himself. Right now you have concentrate on actually finding the battle.
"Right up ahead," said Moody from behind him. "Look."
Remus followed the path of Moody's extended finger and gasped. Though he couldn't actually see the battle, he could see spells being ricocheted off the walls. Dangerous ones, at that.
They ran to scene, wands at the ready. Moody began battling a large blond Death Eater with Ginny Weasley, who was doing surprisingly well.
Remus began to shoot spells at a team of two large, ugly Death Eaters, which he guessed were siblings. Though his mind was on the battle, his heart kept wandering around, looking for Tonks.
Suddenly, out the corner of his eye, he spotted her, shooting spells at various Death Eaters, and screaming orders at no one in particular. Her hair was flashing from vibrant red to her mousy brown, which Remus found vaguely amusing.
"Have a taste of this, werewolf! CRUCIO!" screamed one of his opponents. Remus quickly dodged the spell, but put all his thoughts and energy back into the battle. Or tried to, at least.
----
Tonks was sitting on one of the beds in the hospital wing, feeling totally paralyzed.
How could this happen? How could Death Eaters have gotten into Hogwarts? How could Dumbledore have allowed it? Where is he anyways?
"Er – Tonks?" came Hermione's quiet voice.
"What –oh – yeah?" spluttered Tonks.
"Your…hair. It's –er – flashing."
"What?" muttered Tonks, and took out the small circular compact mirror that she carried with her everywhere. She glanced in it, and saw her hair was, in fact, 'flashing'. Her hair was flashing from electric blue, to fiery red, and back to her mousy brown.
"It sometimes does that when I'm really…emotional." She explained, and managed a sheepish grin.
Hermione smiled back.
"Well it's better than what it usually is, nowadays," came Ron's voice.
Tonks tried as best she could from shooting a guilty look Remus' way. "Yeah, well…yeah."
I'm not up for explaining that one, she thought angrily.
She shot an 'if-looks-could-kill-than-you'd-be-dead' look at Remus, unable to contain herself. He either didn't notice or was ignoring her, as he continued to stare at his shoes.
Hermione seemed to notice however, as she had a smug look on her face, and a look in her eye if she had just confirmed something.
Why don't I just tell everyone? Shout it from the rooftops, perhaps! I'm sure Remus would be mighty glad about that…
Suddenly, Ginny cam rushing in, Harry at her heels.
They dived into a discussion about the nights events, and were listening in grief to Fawkes' lament, when Molly, Arthur and Fleur came rushing in.
"Molly – Arthur –" said McGonagall, jumping up and hurrying to greet them. "I am so sorry –"
"Bill," Molly whispered, and darted past McGonagall as she caught sight of Bill's mangled face. "Oh, Bill!"
Tonks felt herself beginning to zone out at this point. It was all too much.
Bill, Snape; the greasy git, and Dumbledore. Tonks suddenly wished she had someone here right now, hugging her, comforting her, telling her it was OK even though she knew it wasn't.
But the person she wanted there, doing that, wouldn't. Flat out refused; and for no good reason either.
He's never going to come round, is he? Thought Tonks sadly. I just don't if I can let him go…
Suddenly Fleur's angry words broke thorough her thoughts;
"You theenk, because of these bites, he will not love me?"
What? Thought Tonks, and looked wonderingly around until her eyes fell on Bill.
"No, that's not what I –" spluttered Molly, looking very flustered.
"Because 'e will!" said Fleur, drawing herself up to her full height and throwing back her long mane of silver hair. "It will take more zan a werewolf to stop Bill loving me!"
Werewolf. Tonks looked over furiously at Remus, her eyes wild. He caught her stare for a moment, before looking away, obviously feeling desperately uncomfortable.
"Well, yes, I'm sure," said Molly, "but I thought perhaps – given how – how he –"
Tonks made a move to get closer to Remus, but, catching it, Remus just moved more in the opposite direction.
He's not getting away that easily! She fumed, and began to mouth words at him, which she was sure was the meaning of the bemused look Ron sent her.
"You thought I would not weesh to marry him? Or per'aps, you 'oped?" said Fleur, her nostrils flaring. "What do I care how 'e looks? I am good-looking enough for the both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave! And I shall do zat!" she added fiercely, pushing Molly aside and snatching the ointment from her.
Tonks wanted to scream. Fleur, for once in life, was totally right! Why couldn't Remus just see that nothing mattered, nothing, but the fact they loved each other!
She tried once again to make eye contact with him but he staring intently at his shoes. Tonks curled her hands in fists and closed her eyes trying to keep calm.
No use.
She opened her eyes to find him staring at her. She mouthed words to him again, and starting shaking her fist angrily. He was desperately shaking his head, and mouthing something that looked like 'Not here'.
Oh, that's it, she thought furiously.
She walked right over to him, and made him look her in the eye.
"You see!" she said, in a strained voice. "She still wants to marry him, even though he's been bitten! She doesn't care!"
"It's different," Remus answered, his lips barely moving, "Bill will not be a full werewolf. The cases are completely – "
"But I don't care either, I don't care!" Tonks almost shouted, and grabbed the front of Remus' robes and started shaking them. "I've told you a million times…"
Tonks opened her mouth to say more, but then shut it as she became vaguely aware that they were still in the hospital wing, surrounded by about a dozen bewildered people.
"And I've told you a million times," said Remus, refusing to meet Tonks' watery gaze, "that I am too old for you, too poor…too dangerous…"
Tonks closed her eyes, unable to take any more. Why couldn't he just let them be together? Why couldn't he just let himself be happy? Why did he have to fight this…?
He's never going to give in, a small voice in her head said loudly.
"I am not being ridiculous," Tonks heard Remus' voice say steadily, "Tonks deserves someone young and whole."
No, I don't! Tonks screamed internally. Young and whole men are idiots, prats, dirt bags, or taken! Just…
"But she wants you," said Arthur, with a small smile. "And after all, Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so." He gestured sadly at his son, lying between them.
Tonks felt a twinge of guilt play at her heart. She had been so selfish bringing this up now, with Dumbledore dead, Bill bitten…and it's not like Remus is going to give in anytime soon.
"This is…not the moment to discuss it," said Remus, glancing around distractedly and looking unbearably uncomfortable. "Dumbledore is dead…"
"Dumbledore would have been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world," said McGonagall curtly.
Tonks looked determinedly at the ground, eyes closed firmly, hugging herself as tight as she could. She could feel Remus' eyes on her, but she ignored them. Probably wanted to tell her off for what a scene she'd made in front of everyone. And she just couldn't take that right then.
At the back of her mind, it registered that Hagrid had came in, close to tears, informing everyone that he had moved Dumbledore's body. It also registered to her that Harry and McGonagall had left for her office, and that the Weasleys, Fleur, and Hermione were now talking solemnly about Bills' condition. It surprised her that Remus wasn't taking part in this. After all, he was the resident werewolf.
Out of curiosity, Tonks opened one eye, and saw Remus, looking positively miserable, staring out the window into the blank darkness.
Tonks, for no particular reason, felt tears begin to pound at the back of her eyes. Not wanting to make yet another scene, she quickly stood up and left the hospital wing.
She stood silently in the hallway for a moment, before quickly dodging into an unused classroom and bursting into tears.
She collapsed onto the floor, brown hair clinging to her wet face, and put her head in her hands. She took two long, rattling breaths, and sighed, wiping her face.
I am not going to cry anymore, she told herself firmly. You need to be strong…for everyone.
"Nymphadora," came a hoarse voice.
Tonks didn't even lift her head. She knew that voice.
"I'm guessing you haven't come to thank me for that little performance back there," she said quietly.
Silence. Tonks lifted her head and saw his wonderful grey-blue eyes staring lovingly, forgivingly, into hers.
"I don't want to talk about this anymore, Remus," she whispered, her voice breaking.
"Nymphadora, please…"
"No, Remus, I can't do this anymore. I just can't. It hurts too much. Look - " she pulled away a strand of her mousy brown her, and laughed sadly, " – I've lost all my metamorphmaging powers, Remus." She dropped the strand of hair, and hung her head. "I love you so much."
"Tonks, no…"
Tonks stood up, and briskly walked over to him. "Can't you just be happy for once, Remus Lupin? Let me in. Let us be together. I love you, and you love me! Stop being such an idiot!"
"Nymphadora, you don't understand…"
She slapped him, hard, right across his face, before she could stop herself.
"REMUS LUPIN I LOVE YOU! I WANT TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER, TO MARRY YOU, TO LIVE A GREAT LIFE WITH YOU, AND TO DIE WITH YOU! I'VE NEVER, EVER, FELT LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND I'M NOT STUPID, I KNOW WHAT IT IS! NOW STOP MAKING DAFT EXCUSES! I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT!"
Remus had recoiled slightly, rubbing his cheek tenderly, but had not made any attempts to stop her. He waited a moment before speaking, in barely a whisper, "Will you let me talk now?"
Tonks opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish, unable to get any words out. Finally she managed, in a slightly embarrassed manner; "Er - OK then."
Remus slowly made his way forward, and gently put his soft hands on her face, caressing it lovingly. "Nymphadora Tonks," he started, his voice quiet, "I love you. I've loved you from the second I saw you standing in the doorway on the day of your first Order meeting. I just hadn't realized it then. When you…when you first told me you loved me, I just…freaked, I suppose. I was afraid, afraid of hurting you, afraid of the possibility that you might eventually reject me…afraid of being with you. So I did the only thing I knew. I ran. I know I hurt you and led you on but…it was…just so hard. I love you so much, Nymphadora, and I wanted nothing more than what you were offering. But, like I said, I was afraid. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Tonks' eyes widened, and she suddenly couldn't breath. "So…so…what are you saying?"
Remus put one hand through her mousy brown hair and smiled slightly, "I'm saying I love you, Nymphadora Tonks, and I want to be with you. Forever."
With that he leaned forward and kissed her, deeply and passionately. Tonks' lank, brown hair immediately turned a vivid pink, and tears, this time of joy and surprise, rushed down her cheeks.
----
A/N: Hehe…but don't worry, there's more! This is the end of 'Part One'. Now, if you like happy endings and like you want to stop reading here, that's cool, but if you want to read more…hehe, I'll have another chapter posted soon. And thanks SO much for the reviews, they totally brighten my day, lol.
LaC: Thanks! I know,I love when guys do that...Hope you liked this chapter!
Windedspirit: Thanks! Hehe. Er...um...about the assignment that Kingsley got...I wasn't, er, exactly planning on saying what it was, I just kind of needed a reason for Remus to be going to the Auror Headquarters. Lol, I could try and do something with that though. Hehe, I hope you liked this chapter...:)
Priscila: Thanks! Well, er, about Kingsley...here's the story of whyI made him like this, lol: K, first of all, I think that the Order needed someone that wasn't like, a total angel-type person. Like, not evil like Snape, and not shifty likeMungdungus, but someone who, you know, was GOOD overall,but had major faults. Also, I think he was a bit nervous about joining the Order, and is hiding his fear by changing his personalty. Also, he's grieving.Over Emmeline, whom he was in love with, lol.That's just the story I kinda made up about him. Sorry, though, I find it hard to try and write about minor characters that aren't mentioned much and don't have a real story with them. But thanks SO much for the review, and I hope you liked this chapter!
Lil' Fairy: Thank-you (wow,I always seem to start these out with that..)!I'm glad you liked it!