The days passed and soon it was the day before the Hogwarts graduation ceremony. Tonks awoke with a start, realizing that they hadn't bought the four any gifts. Rubbing her legs up against Remus', she kissed him on the back of his neck; a half kiss, half bite, to wake him up.

Remus moaned softly, awoken by the erotic sensation of Tonks' touch. He rolled over and pulled her into his arms, starting to stroke her body gently in his half asleep state. "Is it too early to make love?" he asked not opening his eyes, but enjoying the feeling of her taut skin beneath his fingers. She was warm and he could feel her pressing into his touch. "Please say that is why you woke me up," he mumbled softly, burying his face in the side of her neck.

Tonks moaned softly as well, wishing that she could stay all day in bed with him, sleeping with him, being near him, having him all to herself, but she knew that wasn't possible. "Later, love," She said, entwining her legs with his, "Tomorrow's graduation...we haven't bought gifts yet." She said, her voice breathy and filled with desire that would need to wait for now.

His eyes opened slowly to take in her expression, she was serious. "We actually forgot to buy the gifts?" When she nodded he dropped his head and groaned. They hadn't done much in the past few days other than learn each other's bodies, and just keep touching. "Well, we can't exactly go out like this can we? Perhaps we should take a shower and then head to Diagon Alley," he suggested, hinting at a possible detour in the shower.

"Hmm, I think that sounds like a good idea," She said, her eyes flashing with the thought of more time to spend with her Lupin. She laughed at herself, "You know, if I weren't a werewolf I would be embarrassed at myself for the feelings I am having right now." She said, blushing furiously. "Not that I am complaining, mind you," She said, rolling over on her side and kissing his face as if she were kissing him for the first time.

Remus rubbed his two day beard against her shoulder, causing her to squeal and then he picked her up in his arms and carried her off to the bathroom. "I'm not complaining either," he said with a wide grin. "I've always wanted to see you openly sharing your feelings with me." He turned on the shower and pulled her inside with him.

Tonks emerged from the shower twenty minutes later, followed by Remus. Wrapping the towel around herself, she dried her hair and dressed quickly, not because she was ashamed but because she knew that they needed to go shopping and they needed no further distractions.

When they were both dried and dressed, she turned to Remus and smiled, "I think we should go get something to eat first, before we do any shopping. I seem to have built up quite an appetite."

He took her hand in his and led the way out of the room and down the stairs, "I know this great place in Diagon Alley to have lunch, we could eat there and then do our shopping," he suggested with a grin. "The Leaky Cauldron has the best lunch specials I've ever had."

"That sounds perfect," She said with a grin. "We should stop at Gringotts first though. I was well paid as an Auror and actually I got an owl from Minister Weasley that he gave me some 'time off' with pay until we are ready to start our new jobs. He said I had earned it. He said that he was sending you a similar letter, did you get one?" She asked as he encircled her waist with his arm while they walked outside.

He looked at her in confusion, "Love, I never had a job with the Ministry, so how could I get time off with pay?" He asked incredulously. He couldn't understand what kind of letter he would be receiving from Arthur, but he didn't think it was going to be what Dora thought it was. "It doesn't matter, can you apparate? Or are we walking to the Leaky Cauldron?" He asked as they stepped outside of number 12 Grimmauld Place.

"No, I meant that he said in my letter that he was sending you a similar letter that since we accepted those jobs but he didn't want you to have to start until he knew I was ready that he was going to deposit some money in your Gringotts account so that we didn't have to worry about money. Thoughtful man, isn't he? Of course, his family knows what its like to be low on funds, so that is probably why he did it." She thought about Remus' question and nodded, "Let's apparate."

Remus concentrated hard on the bank inside Diagon Alley, and with a small pop he was standing in the lobby. Tonks arrived seconds later and, hand-in-hand, they walked up to one of the Goblin desks. "We would like to access our vaults please," he asked politely and the Goblin led them wordlessly down to the chasms below.

They arrived back in Diagon Alley half an hour later, their money bags full and their hopes high as they contemplated a day of shopping for the kids. "What do you think we should get for Ginny?" Remus asked as they sat down at a small table in the Leaky Cauldron. "I mean, graduating a year early is an amazing accomplishment isn't it?"

"Hmm," Tonks thought as she looked over the menu, "I think a rare steak sounds just about perfect," She said, then laughed at the look Remus gave her, "Though not for a gift. Sorry, my mind is on food. Let's see, a gift for Ginny. I happen to know that she is considering training to be a healer, maybe something to do with that"

"Hmm... a rare steak does sound good," he teased her and then turned his mind back to a gift, "what if we get her a book on Common Ailments and the potions and charms to heal them?" He wasn't sure if that really worked for Ginny, she wasn't the bookish sort. Hermione who was also going in for Healing would be more interested in that than Ginny would. "What do you think love?"

"Actually, that's a perfect idea for Hermione. I know that they just came out with an updated version of that book so chances are she hasn't read it yet," She said as they placed their orders, "What about for Ginny, hmm...something more hands on. Maybe like a really good set of vials, you know professional ones. That takes care of the two girls. What about Ron and Harry? I know that Ron's plans turn towards Quidditch, maybe a really good broom."

"The minute after I suggested that for Ginny I realized it was more for Hermione. I think she will like the vials better anyways," Remus agreed and then he thought about Ron and Harry. "I'm not sure if we have enough for a Firebolt, but the Nimbus company has come out with a Nimbus 2002 model that he might like. I've heard it can just about give the old Firebolt a run for it's money, the Firebolt company will have to build a new broom fairly soon," Remus said slowly, trying to consider Harry's gift. "I don't even know what Harry wants to do."

Their food was delivered and they sat in silence for a few minutes while they ate hungrily. Tonks reached across the table and took Remus' hand, wanting to be physically in contact with him She felt rather self conscious eating in the Leaky Cauldron, when it came to meat she had a hard time eating it slowly. This was the first time they had eaten out since her transformation and she had to remember that she had to exercise some kind of control. She ate with great gusto, but managed to look somewhat like a human if not totally ladylike. When she had finished her steak, she considered Remus' statement, "I don't know either. He had mentioned traveling but other than that, I don't know."

Remus broke out into a wide grin and squeezed her hand, "I don't know if I'll be able to finish my steak, since you already finished yours and seem to be making eyes at mine... would you like to finish it?" he asked with a hint of laughter in his voice.

Tonks blushed and giggled self consciously, "I think we need to eat out more often so I relearn to eat in a civilized way. Are you sure you are full? I mean, you expended more energy than I did this morning," She said, lowering her voice so that the others didn't hear.

He raised his eyebrows in shock, and then began to laugh heartily. "I did? I could have sworn that you were the one who had me backed up against the shower wall..." he teased, not even attempting to lower his voice. He pushed his plate towards her and kissed her forehead softly. "You can finish my steak." "Keep talking to me like that, Remus, and I won't even want to go shopping," Tonks said, picking up the steak from his plate and placing it between two pieces of bread, eating it like a sandwich. When she was done, she licked the juices off her lips seductively, knowing how much it drove him crazy when she did that after eating a meal. '

"Are you suggesting that we go back to the house?" he asked, sliding his hand to her knee. "I wouldn't mind if we did," he teased, knowing that they needed to buy the gifts for the children.

Tonks gasped as his touch sent tremors up her spine, "As enticing as that sounds, Remus, it will have to wait. If we go home now we will go to the graduation with nothing for Harry and the others." She could hear her heart and his pounding in her ears, in sync with one another, "Two hearts beating as one..." She whispered.

He was tempted to lean over and kiss her, but he held back, opting instead to take her hand again. "It does happen that way sometimes," he said softly, and then pulled her up out of her seat. "We have some shopping to do and I refuse to do it alone. Imagine how it would look if some middle aged man like myself was seen shopping for a broom, I'd be laughed out of the store," Remus teased as they moved out of the dark pub and into the sunlit street.

One thing that Tonks noticed overwhelmingly was the myriad of scents with so many people in Diagon Alley. The perfumes, the potions, the smells from the food stalls... It was a combination of things, but she also found that she could pick out each individual smell as if it was the only one that existed. Even the sunshine had a smell. It smelled like summer and warmth. She opened her eyes wide in surprise. "I never realized, Remus, how many different smells there were in the world." She whispered.

He grinned as they walked through the main street. He knew she would enjoy it, he always had when he was a child, but he had gotten used to it as an adult. He saw the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop and he worked his way through the crowds to get them inside. He had forgotten how spectacular it was in there. There were Quidditch robes, memorabilia of famous players and matches, brooms of all sizes and makes... it was heaven for someone like Harry and Ron. He moved over to the wall of brooms and looked up at all the makes there had ever been. His eyes fell on the old Silver Arrow that James and Sirius had treasured. He wished he could buy one for Ron, but they didn't sell those brooms anymore. "May I help you with anything?" asked a kindly witch from behind a counter.

"Yes, we'd like to see a Nimbus 2002, please," Tonks said, smiling at the witch behind the counter. "We have some friends who are graduating from Hogwarts tomorrow and one of them is going to pursue a career in Quidditch," She said, smiling at the lady. While the woman went to get the broom, she saw something that surprised her greatly, and she knew that she needed to inquire about it. She saw James Potter's old Hogwarts Quidditch robes in the case of memorabilia. "Ma'am, would you be able to sell that to us? One of the people graduating tomorrow is his son, and we had been wracking our brains for a gift idea for him."

"Harry Potter is graduating from Hogwarts tomorrow? Let me go speak with my manager," She said, disappearing in the back while leaving the Nimbus 2002 on the counter. When she returned she had a large box with her, "The owner says to take it for him."

Remus took the package in his hands and gazed down at it with a mixture of sadness and reverence in his face. Harry was going to be extremely touched by this gift, Remus knew that he would be if he were to receive it. "Tonks, you are a genius," he said softly, his eyes still on the box in his hands. He knew that no matter what else they found for any of the other children, this gift would be the very best.

Tonks blushed, "Thank you, but it was really thanks to the kind owner for letting us have it." She said, looking at the woman, "Please thank him for us and tell him he doesn't know how much this will mean to Harry."

"No thanks are necessary," Said an older gentleman coming from the back of the store. "It's the least I can do for the young man who vanquished Voldemort."

Tonks smiled and paid the witch for the broom, "Thank you once again." She said, tears in her eyes as they left the store with her carrying the broom and Remus carrying the box containing Harry's gift.

He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close to his side. "That was a wonderful thing the manager did for Harry, he is going to be so pleased with his gift," Remus said, still in awe of the robes in the box. "Where are we going next, the Apothecary?"

"That sounds good. The Apothecary, and then Flourish and Blotts. By then we should be ready for a snack, maybe go to Florean's?" She said, wanting to have some ice cream. Ice cream did not give the same satisfaction that meat did, but she discovered that she had retained her sweet tooth" Remus squeezed her hand gently,

"Ice cream sounds delicious, but let's save the deserts for after shopping," he said, his meaning very clear. He wanted more than just ice cream, he wanted something else that was just as sweet, and even more delicious than a peanut butter and jelly ice cream at Florean's parlor. He nipped her ear to get his point across.

"Hmm, now that is an offer I can't refuse," She said, giving his ear a quick lick herself, "That sounds like a perfect plan," She said, as she steered him into the Apothecary. "Oh, I know of something else we need to get," She said, picking up the ingredients to make the wolfsbane potion along with the vials for Ginny's gift. "Thank goodness I was good in Potions in Hogwarts."

He laughed as she purchased everything they needed for a safe home transformation. "I'm glad you were good, I was never able to brew a successful potion in my life, it was my one downfall in school," he said honestly. He picked up a bottle of belladonna and stared at it with interest, "I had no idea that belladonna was used in this potion, one would think it would counteract with the powdered root of Asphodel," he said turning the bottle over in his hands.

"Okay, one last stop and then we can go have some ice cream, and then home for 'dessert'," She said, giving him a sly wink and wrapping her arm around him. "It's amazing what happens when you combine different ingredients together to make something new, isn't it?" She said, wrinkling her nose, "Think we ought to tell him that the beetles' eyes are going bad?" She said, laughing, "They positively stink."

Remus turned to look at the counter and saw the clerk glaring at them with beady eyes. "Actually, I think he heard you," he teased and they left the store trying not to laugh. As soon as they reached the ice cream parlor Remus remembered that there was something he needed to buy while they were here in Diagon Alley. "Dora, I hate to part from you love, but I have a few purchases that I need to make on my own after we finish our ice cream. Could you make do without me for an hour?" "Of course I can, love," She said, smiling at him, "I'll just wait here for you and think about spending time with you when we get home. How does that sound?"

He leaned over and kissed her cheek softly, "It sounds just fine Dora, now... what type of ice cream would you like? I myself prefer the double chocolate fudge." He looked through the menu for all the new flavors, it seemed as though the list had grown since the last time he had been here a few years ago. "Actually, I think the hot fudge sundae would be even better. I haven't had one in years."

"I think the double chocolate fudge sounds wonderful. I'm going to have nuts, caramel, whipped cream and marshmallow on top of it." She said, running the tip of her tongue around her lips in anticipation. "I'm also going to get a glass of water, I'm rather thirsty."

Remus grinned at her and tried to contain his laughter. "Are you already that hungry? You had a rather big lunch, your steak and half of mine," he teased and was rewarded when she stuck her tongue out at him. "I suppose I'll overlook your eating, after all, it is hard for a new werewolf to control their new desires. After their sexual drives," he grinned mischievously at her, "their hunger usually takes over as the next largest desire. Hopefully you will pass this stage after your first full moon. You will still crave food as well as your other desires, but it will be easier to control," he explained.

"If you think this is bad, just wait until the day I get pregnant," She said, laughing as the waitress came and took their order. "Do you want to have children, Remus? I'd love to have one or two," She said, smiling, "Our own little witch or wizard to send to Hogwarts, what do you think?"

He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. If there was one thing he wanted most in the world it was to have children with Tonks. "I don't think anything could make me happier," he pressed a kiss to her lip and nuzzled her hand against his cheek. "I wonder if they would inherit your clumsiness," he asked with sparkling eyes.

"Is that the only quality you think of in me? My clumsiness?" She said, teasing him gently as she caressed his other hand with her thumb, "Surely there's something else that you wonder if they would inherit from me?"

"I actually find your ability to trip over your own feet quite endearing," he said, not able to keep his grin off his face. "I will admit that I would love for the children to be metamorphmagi. If they have your sense of humor or wonderful sincerity, I would be blessed as a father as well as your husband." He shivered as he said the word. He wanted to marry her, to have a family with her... but that wasn't all, as werewolves they were pack, Lukoi... they were one with each other. In a way, when he had attacked her, he had made their bond stronger.

Tonks smiled softly at him, rubbing her foot against his leg underneath the table, "That would really be neat. I wonder if certain other traits will carry over," She said, meaning of course their philanthropy, "I would think it would be easier to be born into that lifestyle and have people who really love you and care about you guiding you every step of the way."

Remus tried to keep his face impassive as he felt her rubbing up against him underneath their table. He decided to focus on the question at hand. "There aren't many werewolf couples who decide to take the risk and have children. I suppose we have to talk to a werewolf specialist at St. Mungo's. I don't want to put your life or the lives of our children at risk, so I think it's better to ask before we try to have them," he said seriously. He couldn't imagine a life without her in it. Their ice cream arrived and they turned their attentions on it. Halfway through, Tonks took her spoon and playfully dabbed a bit of whipped cream on Remus' nose, giggling. "Okay, we'll do that." She said, thoughtfully. She wondered what it would be like having a werewolf child. It certainly would be interesting if it was born on the day of the full moon, "I suppose they probably induce labor just in case or take the baby to make sure that it doesn't happen at the wrong time of the month." She said, quietly. It was something to think about, certainly.

Remus put his spoon down and took her hand in his, "Dora, promise me that if the Healer says we can have a baby, you will follow all their orders as best as you can. I don't want any complications that might risk in the loss of your life. I couldn't live without you. I would rather have you and I, happy and alive, than be alone with a baby to raise. At my age I can't do this alone." It was finally out, he was voicing his worst fear. He just hoped she understood what he meant.

Tonks put her hand up to Remus cheek and pulled him in for a kiss, "I promise, Remus. If we are permitted to have a baby, then I will do everything that they say and we will raise our child together. I want our child to have two parents who love and care for him or her. But you have to promise me the same thing. Promise me that you will not take any unnecessary risks with your life as well." Tonks knew that not all the Death Eaters had been caught, that some were still out there; not to mention Fenrir.

He sighed and nodded his head. He knew that he couldn't ask her to do something he wasn't willing to do as well. She deserved the same consideration with his life that he was asking her to make with hers. "I won't go looking for anyone, but if they find me, I will protect you. I can't let anyone take you from me." His ice cream was now forgotten on the table as he looked deeply into the eyes of the woman he loved... his lupa, or his soon to be lupa. "I love you so much," he whispered brokenly and kissed her again, not caring that everyone in the parlor had begun to stare at their open affection and constant touches.

Feeling as if she was floating, Tonks closed her eyes halfway and enjoyed just being near him. "I love you too," She said, feeling their hearts beating in sync again. She smiled serenely, as if the world had melted away and it was just the two of them there. She always felt relaxed enough to just drift off to sleep right there. She had discovered that even the smallest of things made her sleepy, especially being with her lupin, because he was so comforting and warm. She felt her eyes closing and in her sleep she half heard him getting up from the table.

"Is there anywhere you would like me to meet you after I'm done with my shopping? I should only be gone for an hour or so," he told her as he pushed his chair underneath the table. Lifting her head from the table, "How about Flourish and Blotts? Maybe they have some books on that subject we were interested in." She said, smiling at him, "I'll finish up here and I'll meet you there say," She said, looking at her watch, "It's 1pm now. How about 2:15?"

Remus pressed a kiss to her forehead, and then her lips. "It sounds just fine love, I'll see you there soon," and with that said he left her sitting at the table, probably wondering where he was heading off to.

He grinned to himself as he thought about the day that was quickly approaching. Tonks' birthday was coming up next week and he wanted to have a perfect gift for her. She didn't set much store by pretty things like flowers or jewelry, but he knew she liked sweets. He also knew that she wouldn't say no to a bottle of firewhiskey, but what was the thing that she would be more pleased than anything to have? He wasn't sure yet, but he was going to shop around until he found just the right gift.

Tonks finished her sundae and paid Florean, leaving a tip for their waitress. She wondered where Remus had gone to, but she had learned not to be too curious or to ask too many questions. He liked to surprise her from time to time and she loved surprises.

Going out in the the sunshine filled street she walked along happily, happier than she could ever remember being. She and Remus were in love, and due to recent events they had no limits on their love. Life was sweet, sweeter than she had ever known. She had walked along the street for a while when she looked at her watch and saw that it was nearly time to head to Flourish and Blotts. But something spoiled her happy mood. She caught a scent in the air which she recognized from that first night that they were together.

Spinning on her heels, she saw Fenrir coming out of Knockturn Alley. He was leaning against the wall, grinning at her. Remus paid for the three items he had bought and walked out of the store, feeling assured that he had found just the right gift for her birthday and the two other special days coming up in the future. He glanced at his watch as he headed down the street to Flourish & Blotts, grateful that he had found that antique store just in time. He looked up to see something that chilled his bones, Fenrir was walking purposefully toward Tonks.

"So, Tonks," Fenrir said with a sneer, "I heard old Loopy Lupin made you one of us. Why not join with a real wolf? Why not join my pack? I'd love to have a lupa who can change her appearance at will. It's like having fifty lupas in one."

Tonks shook her head, fumbling for her wand, unable to trust her voice. All of her good feelings had tucked their tails between their legs and ran in retreat. She looked around for Remus, and thankfully saw him coming towards them. He motioned that she should be quiet, but she couldn't help but shaking in fear.

Remus walked up behind Fenrir, his wand clutched tightly in his hand. "Leave her alone Greyback, you can't have her," he said in a deadly calm voice. "If you make even one more move toward her, I will kill you before you can take another step."

Fenrir pulled back his lips in a sneer and growled menacingly at Lupin, turning away from Tonks. "You haven't claimed her as your Lupa yet, I can smell you on her, but it is still two scents. She is still claimable," he said and grabbed Tonks' arm and pulled her to him.

Tonks struggled to get out of Fenrir's grasp, but he was really strong. Thinking quickly, she did a move that she had been taught as a part of Auror training. Not too many outside the realm of the Aurors knew, but they were also trained in self defense against physical attacks as well as magical attacks. Using the quick maneuver, she was able to wrestle out of his grasp and disapparated, hoping and praying that Remus would soon follow. She landed at 12 Grimmauld place and collapsed on the floor, panting and her heart still racing with fear.

Remus put his wand in Fenrir's face and let out a fierce growl. "If you ever come near Tonks again, I will kill you, that isn't a threat... it's a promise." He cast a Stupefy charm on him and disapparated into 12 Grimmauld place.

"Tonks?" he called out. He had apparated into their room, and right now he was worried about her safety, if she hadn't come to the house, he didn't know where she was. That thought caused him to panic and he called out her name again. "Tonks, are you here?"

Tonks heard him calling her name; she had landed on the first floor when she disapparated. Pulling herself to her feet, she made her way upstairs slowly, "I'm here, Remus," She said, sitting on the top step, "He didn't hurt you, did he?" She knew that she couldn't live without him, just like he had said he couldn't live without her.

Remus pulled her into his arms and held her tightly to his chest. "He touched you, that bastard touched you," he choked out as he rocked her back and forth. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I should have never let you out of my sight." He felt as if he had let her down in some way, he hadn't been able to stop Fenrir from coming after her, and she wasn't strong enough yet to fight him.

Tonks reached up and gently glazed her fingertips over his face with her right hand, "Remus, you didn't know that he would be there. Neither of us did. Please don't blame yourself." She said, laying her head upon his chest as he held her close. "We lived our lives in fear with Voldemort, we can face this new enemy together." She thought of the upcoming full moon night, only a week away, "Much as I would like to have my first transformation to be in the woods, I think we should stay inside. Maybe there's a way that we can find a secluded spot for the future."

He nodded and he rested his cheek on the top of her head. They would be safer if they transformed in the house anyway, the house was still secure, Fenrir couldn't find them there. "Your first transformation doesn't have to be in the woods, many werewolves transform in their own basements. They feel a sense of comfort in their own homes. As you said though, many also chose to transform in the woods, that way they have prey if something goes wrong," he leaned down and kisses her hard, "nothing will go wrong."

Tonks sighed, "Leave it to old Greyback to ruin a perfectly nice day. I want you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed our outing, though. Things, for the most part, were perfect. I think that we should get our purchases put away and then perhaps do something to help us both relax and get our minds off of what happened." She said, not wanting to mention how dirty Greyback had made her feel, "I think that I would like to take a bath," She implied what she was feeling without really saying it. She needed to wash the scent and the feel of Greyback off of her body.

He squeezed her tight, understanding completely how she felt. There was a time when he was a young man, that something similar had happened to him. A hot bath would help her a lot. "Would you like me to stay in the room with you? Or would you rather be alone? I can understand if you need me to leave," he said softly, trying to soothe her.

"No, please stay with me. I...I want to have you near me." She said, knowing that the house was secure but not wanting to be alone at that time, "I feel so dirty, Remus. I feel like he violated me just by touching me and by saying what he did to me. "

"Love, I'm so sorry," he said brokenly, "let's get you washed up, and then perhaps we can wash away the memory of what happened today. Come on baby." He scopped her up into his arms and carried her to the bathroom, sitting her on the tub while he ran the bath and set out a towel for her. He just wanted to keep himself busy so he wouldn't keep seeing the way Fenrir had looked when he had touched Tonks.

Tonks removed her robes and undergarments and stepped into the tub, sinking deeply into the warm and aromatic bubbles. She took the loofah sponge which hung from the faucet tap and used it to scrub at her body harshly, wanting to remove every trace of the rogue werewolf from her. His scent, his touch, his evil. Suddenly she couldn't take it anymore and she broke down in sobs.

Remus fell to his knees in front of the tub and pulled her against him, soaking his clothes but not caring. "Shh, don't cry love, I won't let him touch you again. I will protect you, I swear I will," he whispered soothingly. He knew that she must be so frightened of what had happened, she still didn't understand the way Fenrir's mind worked. He had wanted her so that he could have all of her abilities at his command. Remus knew how valuable Tonks now was among the werewolf community, but he didn't know how to keep her safe forever, it was impossible.

She felt comforted by his presence, his scent, and his touch, and she allowed him to hold her and to make her feel safe. She acutely became aware of him lifting her from the tub and wrapping her in the towel he had put aside. She could feel her skin burning, knowing that she had scrubbed way too hard and that it was short of being raw but she also knew that she couldn't help herself at the time.

He carried her into the bedroom where he slowly began to dry her off. Every time she attempted to help him he pushed her hands away, he needed her to relax while he helped her. After he was done drying her body he began to towel her hair dry. He preferred to touch her rather than to use a drying spell. It was more intimate this way, and right now she needed the affection and touch he was providing. Remus dropped the towel to the floor after she was sufficiently dry and he motioned for her to lay down on the bed. In a few moments he was lying beside her, crushing her to him. "I love you Nymphadora, no matter what happens, I always will."

Tonks turned her head back to Remus and kissed him affectionately. She was thankful that he loved and cared for her, and that he was there for her no matter what. His arms around her made her feel secure, his scent alluring and intoxicating all at once. She knew that they would have struggles and trials, and that the thing with Fenrir was far from over. But she also knew that whatever came along they would weather it together.