A/N: This piece was written for prompt three of the last rtchallenge which was simply the word buoyant.

Floating

For an instant, it seemed to Tonks that she was going to fly, that the air was thick enough with sweat and screams and frantic emotion that she would float upon it, light, buoyant and drift safely past it all. But then the pain of dear Auntie Bellatrix's spell shot vividly through her veins and she felt herself tumbling, falling, plunging downwards towards the hard, cold steps that she realised, with a thrill of terror, lay far, too far beneath her. Flashed images darted across her eyes; Kingsley's intense features as he hurled curse after curse at Antonin Dolohov; Old Mad-Eye lying bleeding, his electric blue eye spinning madly on the floor beside him; Sirius, his dark hair flying, his expression, impossibly, happier than she had seen it in months. And Bellatrix Lestrange's cruel, hagged face laughed down after her with vindictive glee.

And then she saw Remus, his eyes filled with horror, his wand half-extended in an act of rescue she knew would come too late. And at his back, a viciously smiling Lucius Malfoy had raised his wand in turn.

It was aimed squarely between the werewolf's shoulder-blades.

Remus, no, behind you!

It was the last thing she saw, the last thing she had time even to think. The inevitable ground rushed up to meet her and jolted her into darkness.

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Floating.

That was how it felt. The darkness seemed to flow around her like black water, a mass of glistening silver waves and darting colours in which she hung, suspended, detached and peaceful, waiting, just waiting for...

A squeeze of her hand. Her name whispered.

"Tonks?"

Pain, sharp and bright, intruded on her peaceful world, aching limbs, a throbbing head and invigorated heartbeat pulling her down to earth once more. She became aware of sheets against her skin, the softness of a pillow, of light, bright, too bright, that burned against her eyes. What was this, where was she, what had happened...

The Department of Mysteries. Harry. The kids.

I fell.

No. I was pushed.

Bellatrix.

And then as I fell I saw…

Remus. And Malfoy.

Oh Merlin, Remus!

Remus. Remus with his warm smile and daft banter, his tatty robes and quiet dignity; she had liked him from the moment she'd met him, although getting to know him, truly know him, had taken much longer to achieve. But get to know him she had, chatting on stakeouts and missions, sharing the duties at Grimmauld Place as they worked together to keep Sirius from going stir crazy prowling the halls of his hated family home with only an insane portrait and a hippogriff for company. Every moment in his company had been a pleasure; whether she had needed a laugh, a coffee or a shoulder to cry on, he had been there for her.

Remus Lupin was possibly the best friend she'd ever had.

And there were moments, brief but undeniable, when she looked at his soft smile, his greying hair, his warm eyes and wondered whether being friends was really all she wanted.

Did she love him? She wasn't sure. Maybe.

Probably.

But she wanted the chance to find out.

And Malfoy had been standing right there with a free shot at his back. And all because she...

Oh no, oh Merlin no, please, anyone but Remus, anyone but...

"Tonks?"

Was she hearing things? Was she dreaming? Was she imagining...

"Can you hear me? Tonks?"

She wasn't. Dear Merlin, she wasn't...

"Remus?" she managed. Her voice sounded hoarse and distant but she didn't care. She opened her eyes.

And there he was.

The relief was beyond joy, filling her with airy lightness that lifted her soaring once more. He was alive. He was here. He wasn't...

He wasn't right.

For his face, always tired, was now wooden and nearly grey and his eyes, though touched with hints of strong relief, were dull and strangely lost. And although the smile that blossomed as she stared at him was genuine, it strained at the edges as though ready to bolt in an instant.

"What's wrong?" The question escaped before fear or reason could quell it. And Remus closed his eyes.

And then, with an icy chill that seemed to freeze her heart, Tonks knew

Oh Gods. Someone's dead.

And I said it, didn't I? I had to bloody say it. I had to say anyone but Remus…

The reality hit her. Someone was dead. Someone Remus cared about enough to be in such a state. And that could only mean…

Sirius.

And she had wished it so.

And Tonks realised in that instant that once more she was about to be grounded with a crash.