Author's note: Just a quick little one-shot I decided to write up. I support Remus-Tonks all the way.
Surely he had known. How could he have doubted her? Nymphadora Tonks stared at her rippling reflection in the lake, a silent tear slipping down her face. An icy breeze picked up, and she gave an involuntary shiver. Lifting her gaze to the towering castle, she couldn't bear to think any more. He had cast her aside as easily as if she had been some senseless schoolgirl. She couldn't stand the unfairness of it all. Pulling her knees to her chest, she shivered again, narrowing her eyes against the wind. Suddenly, she felt a warm presence beside her, felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she startled at the sight of Remus, towering above her.
Removing his own threadbare jacket, he draped it across Tonk's shoulders. She marveled at its surprising warmth, and pulled it tighter. Remus crouched beside her, drawing her closer to him with a gentle sort of strength.
"We need to talk." He said quietly, his words barely audible over the fierce wind. Tonks glanced at him through miserable eyes.
"You don't know what you've put me through," she whispered, "you have no idea." Remus drew her still closer, as if he were afraid to let go. As if he was afraid to lose her again.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, "I just… I don't want to hurt you. I'd never live it down. I… I care too much for you, Nymphadora. It scares me." Remus lifted her chin gently, to look into her eyes.
"I can't be with you, Nymphadora. We've been through this so many times… I'm too poor. I'd never be able to give you what you wanted-"
Nymphadora's eyes widened. "All I've ever wanted, all I'll ever want… Is to be with you." She whispered. Remus dropped his hand, allowing her to turn away, but she held his gaze.
"You don't understand, Remus. I'm not defenseless; I'm not unable to take care of myself. I know what I'm saying when I tell you I need you. When I tell you I want you. When I tell you… I love you." Tonks gazed at him with wide brown eyes. Remus opened his mouth to speak, but Tonks lifted a hand, brushing her fingers across his lips. She edged toward the water, where a pale crescent moon was reflected overhead. Taking a gentle hold of Remus's hand, she drew him forward as well, and motioned toward the reflections. And, finally, he understood.
Before him crouched two figures, both with unkempt, mousy brown hair. Both with wide, pleading brown eyes. And both with one thought in their minds that spoke louder than words. Remus and Tonks turned as one; connected by that one, single thought. Tonks reached for Remus's hands, and Remus, numb with a sudden flood of both happiness and regret, pulled her forward. And then, he did something Tonks could never, in her wildest dreams, have hoped for.
He kissed her. And then, she knew. After all these heart-breaking arguments, all these endless nights of hopeless wishing, neither one had won…
They both had.