Albus Dumbledore waited for the students to take their seats on stage before walking up to address the graduating class and the crowd who had come to witness the first steps in their life as adults. "Another year has come and passed, a war took hold and then fell away. These students graduating today are not just any other class of students, they are the most courageous, the most valiant. They are the survivors and the warriors of the war. I have never been more proud of a group of students in my life," the Headmaster said in his soft and patient voice. "They are no longer children, but our hope for tomorrow and a better world. These young adults have faced more suffering than any class has ever done, and they have come out of it with losses," many of the students were beginning to cry softly, remembering the pain of the war, but Dumbledore continued, "They have suffered losses, but have gained love and hope for the rest of us. They will build our great world up again, and they will be heroes we will always remember."
Tonks squeezed Remus' hands as tears flowed freely down her face. She thought over the years that had gone by, the fears, the triumphs, the uncertainties. And now those four children especially were no longer children but adults ready to face the world. In all honesty, they had forced to become adults long before they should have been. She was proud of them all, but especially of Ginny, who was graduating with Harry, Hermione and her brother. She looked over to the side and saw the Weasleys taking up two full rows. She smiled as she realized that Percy was there as well, he had given his family the best gift of all by coming home and sharing in their happiness. She saw Bill sitting with Fleur and made a mental note that the two couples should get together and see how Bill was faring with his new lifestyle. Unlike herself and Remus, he didn't have to take the wolfsbane potion but he still had some adjustments to make.
She smiled as Dumbledore started calling out the names of the graduates and beamed especially brightly as Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron went up to receive their diplomas. Turning to Remus she whispered, "I don't think we can call them children anymore. They certainly have grown up."
Remus nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "They aren't children anymore, they haven't been for a long time," he agreed. The rest of the ceremony went by with students accepting their diploma's and smiling at their families. It was a time for the students to shine, to be thanked for their hard work and especially for their efforts in the war. After everyone had received their diploma Dumbledore stood up again, smiling brightly at everyone.
"I believe it is time to let our Head Boy and Head Girl make their speeches, though neither of them were in school this past year, the staff decided that there would never be two better candidates for the Head Boy or Head Girl as we have chosen," he turned to smile at Hermione. "If you all will welcome Miss Granger to the podium."
Hermione stood and smiled at Dumbledore, then took her place behind the podium, "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," She said, smiling at him then turning to the audience. "I have learned a lot during my years at Hogwarts. I have learned that it's not a good idea to use a cat hair in a polyjuice potion. I've learned that studying and books are not the most important things in life, although they do have their merits," She said, turning to grin at Harry and Ron. "But more than anything, this year has taught me about the value of friendship, and of love. We are taught about magic at Hogwarts, but there is a magic which resides within each and every one of us; whether we are muggle or wizard. The strongest magic in the world is love. We not only take with us the knowledge to do what we need to do in the wizarding world, but we carry with us friendships that will last a lifetime."
Harry grinned at everyone nervously as Hermione sat down to scattered applause, and he stood up to stand at the podium. "I'm not very good with speeches, although everyone has always thought of me as a leader. I never asked to be one, it just happened that way," he looked toward Remus and Tonks and grinned at them, trying to regain some courage. "As everyone knows I am Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Chosen One... and I have to admit that I have never liked any of those names, not even Harry Potter. To be Harry Potter is to be forever watched, looked up to, to have high expectations put on you. I discovered what Hermione did, that love is the greatest power in the world, the most potent of all magic. It was love that ended the war, love that saved our lives and love that got me through all my years of school. I know that I should be giving advice to my class, but don't quite know what to say. I can tell them one thing, and hope they listen to me. 'You have to dance like no one is watching, live like you will die tomorrow and love like it will never hurt.' If love is the most precious gift we have, we can't waste it. Our lives are all too special to spend each day doing something we hate. We have to reach out for what we want and what we feel we have to have. We only have one life to live, spend each day with the ones you love and remember what lost in the war. Families, friends, people we love died, but don't let them have died in vain. Keep them in your thoughts, but keep moving on. Our world will only get stronger if we remember the past, live in the present and hope for the the future." Tonks listened to both of their speeches and was immensely proud of the both of them. She smiled at Harry in return for the smile that he had sent at the two of them, and felt her heart nearly bursting with joy. She couldn't help the tears that flowed down her face, but she didn't have the heart to wipe them away either. Dumbledore stood up once more and shook Harry's hand, then returned to the podium,
"I would like for everyone to please rise and join with the graduates in singing the school song." After everyone had finished singing, Dumbledore looked out on the crowd and said, "I now am happy to introduce to you the class of 1998!"
Remus and Tonks walked around the Burrow as they waited for their turn to congratulate the graduates. All four of them were huddled in a little group, being clapped on the back and having their hands shaken by everyone in the room. "They look so nervous," he said laughing. Harry and Ginny looked almost uncomfortable with all the attention they were getting, Hermione was in her element, being congratulated for her accomplishments, while Ron was basking in the glory of being the center of attention. "Well, Harry and Ginny look nervous," he amended.
Tonks chuckled, "Yes, I don't think anything could make Ron nervous. Except perhaps Potions class, which he no longer has to worry about. Oh," She said, as they were waiting and she caught a glimpse of Bill, "I was thinking that perhaps we should talk to him and find out how he is doing. What do you think?"
"I think it's a good idea, I haven't had much of a chance to talk to him since he was attacked," Remus admitted and they strolled over to the couple. Bill looked happy and content with Fleur holding his hand and gazing at him lovingly. They were such a sweet couple to watch, they still seemed to be in their honeymoon stage. "Hello old friend," Remus said and he clapped Bill on the shoulder.
"Why, hello Remus, it's been ages since we were able to talk," Bill said heartily and the men shook hands.
"We were just wondering how you have been holding up since the... attack," Remus said delicately. Bill and Fleur shared a significant look and they squeezed hands.
Bill smiled at Remus and Tonks, "It has taken a bit of adjusting but we have been very fortunate. I just tend to get a little exuberant during the time of the full moon. In our house we call it my PMS," He said, chuckling heartily. "My dad tells me that you two will be working in the Ministry in the new werewolf liaison office. I think that is wonderful. How are you holding up, Tonks?"
Looking at Remus, she decided that she wasn't going to talk about her experience with Fenrir the previous day, "Well, as you said it's taking some getting used to. But Remus is a wonderful teacher and he has been there for me every step of the way. The four of us should really get together one of these days and talk."
Fleur gave Tonks a bright smile and swished her long silver hair behind her. "But of course we should get togezer," she said sweetly, "It makes perfect sense."
Remus squeezed Tonks hand. "It's settled then, we should get together after the full moon. This next week will be a bit busy for us, we have to make the preparations for her first transformation," he said with a smile. "We'll send you an owl," Tonks said, smiling at Bill and Fleur. "We should go see Harry and the others so we can give them their gifts. " Giving Fleur a hug, and then Bill she smiled at the two of them. "I'm looking forward to it immensely."
"So am I, Tonks," Bill said. "Good luck this week."
After a last round of handshakes and hugs, Tonks and Remus made their way over to the four friends who, thankfully, were free of the mob which had encircled them earlier. "Congratulations!" Tonks said, giving each of the teens a hug. We are both so proud of the four of you"
"We come bearing gifts," Remus teased as he pulled out the four boxes they had wrapped for them. He handed them out to each of the graduates. "I feel like Father Christmas," he whispered to Tonks as the four of them ripped into their gifts.
"Wow Moony, a Nimbus 2002!" Ron said excitedly as he pulled the broom out of it's wrapping. He stared at it in awe and tried to show his friends but they were too enthralled with their own gifts.
Hermione thanked Remus and Tonks softly for her book as she opened the pages and began to look through it with obvious enjoyment. Ginny on the other hand opened her vials and shrieked excitedly, throwing her arms around first Tonks, and then Remus's neck. "Thank you so much! These are going to be so important when I start brewing my own healing potions," she babbled.
Harry had waited for his friends to open their gifts before revealing the contents of his. When he at last open his box, his mouth dropped open and they could see tears glistening in his eyes, "Lupin, Tonks...where did you...how did you"
"What is it, Harry?" Hermione said, looking at the expression on her friend's face.
Harry slowly, almost reverently pulled out his father's old Quidditch robes from the box, a tear rolling down his cheek, "Thank you so much, Lupin and Tonks. I don't know how I can ever repay you"
"Harry, we saw them in the store and we knew that above all else that was the perfect gift for you." She said, reaching over and squeezing his hand.
Remus hugged Harry tightly, he understood how much the gift meant to him. It was very rarely that he received anything of his parents, they weren't able to leave him a lot. "There is another gift that we have for you, but it will have to wait until after the full moon. We can't risk a bad transformation around you four," he said with a soft smile.
"Another gift?" Ginny asked curiously. They noticed that she was always the first one to ask a question.
"We are going to take you four to see Potter Manor, the place where your dad grew up Harry. That's where most of their things were left, the old house elf staff has been maintaining the house since your parents death," Remus said grinning.
Harry looked at Remus in surprise, "Remus, you have given me the best gifts that I could ever receive today. Thank you." It meant so much for Harry to have him in his life, since he was the last of his father's friends who was still living.
The six of them sat around, regaling tales of Hogwarts and of everything that had happened over the years. They shared laughter, tears and some fond memories and they were all sorry to see the day come to an end. Late that evening, Tonks and Remus apparated back to 12 Grimmauld Place, each knowing that this was a day that they would remember for a long time.
Tonks smiled at Remus and gave him a kiss,"That was a wonderful idea, Remus. The trip to Potter manor, I mean. Did you see the look on Harry's face?"
He returned her kiss with fervor, "I have always planned on taking him back there, it was placed in my care until Harry was old enough to take care of it himself. I've just never had the heart to go there without him with me. It didn't seem right without a Potter in the house," he admitted. He was planting soft kisses down her neck, unable to make himself stop. "I think that we found all of them just the right gift. They all seemed to be really pleased."
Tonks sighed softly as his kisses sent shock waves of pleasure through her. "We make a really good team, a lukoi, wasn't it?" She said, voice breathy and full of passion, "I don't wonder if perhaps there will be two more weddings in the planning sometime in the near future," She said, running her hands over his strong, muscular back, and leaning into him as she fondly nipped his ear.
"I won't disagree with you, all four of them seem to know what they want, and they are no longer children," he admitted, trying to control his need for her. "Tonks, I never did ask you formally." He hoped she understood what he meant by that. He had been carrying the ring in his pocket since he had bought it in Diagon Alley yesterday. They had talked about getting married, but he had never posed the actual question. He wanted it to be right, to be formal.
Tonks felt her heart racing in happiness, she had dreamed for this day for so long. She smiled at him, licking her lips in anticipation of his question and of their time afterwards. She understood completely and knew that somehow he knew that she did, "This is something that i have waited for for years, Remus."
He bent down on one knee, wincing with the strain on his old muscles. He pulled the ring out of his pocket and took her hand. "I am not a young man, nor a rich man. I can't offer you anything in the world but my love, me, and the promise of a bond stronger than most people can imagine. I have loved you from the moment I first saw you at your first Order meeting. You were full of smiles and you tripped right into my arms. When I looked into your eyes I knew that I wanted no one but you for the rest of my life. For the next two years I tried to tell myself that I was too old, too poor and too dangerous for you, but it never worked. Finally on the night Bill was attacked I couldn't do it any longer, my resolve crumbled and I'm glad it did. I love you Nymphadora Tonks, and I would be honored if you would be my wife."
Tonks smiled at him, running his fingers through her hair and massaging his scalp as she listened to his speech. It was so touching, and she laughed at the memory of falling into his arms. When he had finished speaking, she gently put her fingers under his chin to have him look at her, "Remus, I know how you feel. I have loved you from the moment I saw you as well. I knew of your condition and I knew that in a perfect world we would be able to be together. Now our world together is perfect and we can be as one, without the fears and the worries of the past. Remus Lupin, I would be honored to have you as my husband and my Ulfric"
He took the ring from the box and slowly slid it onto her finger. "Once we are mated we can never separate, our marriage and our mating is close to the same thing, but it is very different at the same time. We don't have to participate in both ceremonies, most couples just preform the mating ceremony. The problem is with us, our friends can't come to the mating ceremony, they wouldn't understand it. It is your choice," he said softly, kissing her throat as he spoke.
She looked down at the beautiful ring. It contained four stones. His birthstone and hers, but sh couldn't figure out what the other two were. Then it dawned on her. One was an emerald and the other one was a golden topaz, "Remus, it's beautiful," She said, tears clouding her eyes because she realized that the other two stones represented their birth into the wolf hood, "This is incredible..."
"I had it made specially for you in Diagon Alley. There is a jeweler there that I went to school with, and he took my idea and created something amazing," he looked down at the incredible ring. It was gold of course, anything silver would have caused her intense pain and discomfort. It was one of the safety precautions of being a wolf, wearing gold jewelry. "I'm glad you like it, I was a bit unsure of whether you would or not."
"I love it, Remus, almost as much as I love you. It was brilliant of you to have them put our four stones in it," She said, "Our birthstones as humans, and the birthstones as wolves." She said, thinking about what had said about the mating ceremony and the proper wedding, "I am looking forward to the mating ceremony, but I do think we should have a wedding with our friends in attendance. The problem will be privacy. I mean, how do we do it without unwanted guests attending?" She asked, meaning Greyback of course. "Well, let's worry about that later. Why don't we go and spend some time together and let me show you how much I love you," She said, nipping him on the neck.
Remus wrapped his arms tightly around her and began to kiss her again. "I think I could live with that," he whispered huskily. "I think I'm going to miss you this way after your first transformation." "Well, Remus, I don't think this will particularly change much even after that since this desire has been in me for years," She said, smiling at him and then leading him to the bedroom.
