Ginny
December 25th 1996

When Ginny opened her eyes, she saw her Dad standing over her.

"Ginny!" He exclaimed and Ginny couldn't help but notice that his face was streaked with blood.

"Dad?"

"Come on," he said, pulling Ginny to her feet. "We need to get out of here, the protections around the house has been destroyed and they could come back."

"What happened?" Ginny asked. She wasn't entirely sure what had happened or how she had ended up on the ground.

"You got hit by a Stunner."

"Oh," Ginny said as she gazed around her, trying to understand what was going on. There was no sign of the Death Eaters, but several other wizards were wandering around the area.

"Oh, Ginny!" Ginny heard her mum cry as she hobbled shakily towards her, wrapping her in a hug. "You were so brave! So brave!" she gushed.

"Mum," Ginny replied. She was glad to see her mum but she also needed to know that everyone else was safe, especially Adam. "Is everyone alright? Where's Adam?"

"He's safe, dear, Professor Dumbledore sent him back to Hogwarts."

Ginny nodded. "Have you got Ron?" she blurted. "He's in the house."

"Professor Dumbledore is at the house right now," Dad responded in a strained voice.

Ginny looked around. She could see her mum and dad, and Adam was at Hogwarts, but where were Tonks and Remus?

"Mum," Ginny asked faintly, half dreading the answer. "Where are Tonks and Remus?"

"I'm sure they're fine, dear. Tonks has gone to look for Remus."

Ginny nodded numbly, still feeling strangely disorientated and unsure of herself.

"Ginny, we need to get to out of here," her dad repeated. "There's a Portkey here to take you to Hogwarts. Your mum and I will be right behind you."

Her dad handed her a stone, which she took and, a few seconds later, Ginny felt the familiar tug of the Portkey.

The world whirled around her and Ginny landed on her backside on a stone floor.

"Miss Weasley!" she heard Madam Pomfrey exclaim.

"Madam Pomfrey," Ginny replied in a rush, jumping back to her feet. "Is Adam here?"

"He's in bed, he's unhurt, but hasn't said anything to anyone. He..." Madam Pomfrey hesitated. "He kept saying your name."

"Can I see him?" Ginny asked urgently. She had to know that he was alright.

"Let me check you over first," Madam Pomfrey replied.

"Can I please just see him?" Ginny pleaded. "I'm fine."

Madam Pomfrey looked at her for a second before nodding, and smiling. "Go on then, last bed on the left."

Ginny ran down the Hospital Wing until she reached Adam's bed, which didn't have its curtains drawn. As she approached, she saw that Adam was lying face down on the bed.

"Adam!" she cried.

Adam sat up like a coiled spring and, much to Ginny's surprise, he had tears streaked down his face.

"Ginny!" he said, in an unusually high pitched voice.

"Hi!" Ginny replied brightly, smiling at him.

Adam shot off the bed and wrapped her in such a crushing hug that it sent them both crashing to the floor in the middle of room. Adam pulled her onto his lap and she felt him running his hand gently over her face.

"Ginny," he said, in a trembling voice. "Oh... Ginny."

"Adam," Ginny replied weakly. "I'm okay, I'm okay."

"I thought you were dead," he said, still sounding very distressed. "Lestrange said you were dead. I couldn't help you, there was nothing I could do..." he rambled. "It would have been all my fault..."

"Ginny! Adam?" her mum's voice suddenly called from the far end of the hospital wing and Ginny realised that she and Adam had been so absorbed with each that they hadn't noticed her arrival. "What are you doing on the floor?"

The two of them scrambled to their feet, still clinging to each other. Ginny looked down the room and saw that her mum, dad and brother had now all arrived.

"Molly, you should get yourself checked over," Dad was saying as the two of them approached. "You got hit pretty badly."

"Arthur," Mum replied in an exasperated tone. "I'm fine."

"Molly," Madam Pomfrey asked. "What were you hit with?"

"The Cruciatus Curse," Adam said numbly, still clinging on to Ginny as if for dear life.

"Oh my," Madam Pomfrey said. "Then you must absolutely stay here. Get into bed."

"Poppy," Mum pleaded.

"No, Molly. Bed."

Ginny felt a slight tingle of amusement that Madam Pomfrey was as stern with her mother as she was with the Hogwarts students.

"Come on kids," Dad said, ushering them both away from her mum, presumably to give her some privacy. "I want you to know," he said stopping and turning to face them. "That you were both very brave tonight. Your actions, both of you, bought time for Professor Dumbledore to arrive and probably saved our lives.

"Adam, I can never thank you enough for stopping that evil woman from torturing Molly. You did what had to be done, and you don't need to worry about any repercussions," Dad continued, putting his hand on Adam's shoulder.

It took Ginny a few seconds for her now extremely tired brain to figure out what Dad was on about. Adam had used to Cruciatus Curse to stop Lestrange.

"I..." Adam hesitated. "I didn't even mean to use that spell. I was just so angry that she was doing that..."

"I understand, son," Dad replied. "It's alright."

"Daddy," Ginny said, feeling suddenly extremely nervous about what she had done. She couldn't keep it a secret, though. She had to tell her Dad. "I... killed that Death Eater in the house, he was trying to curse Adam and..."

"Oh, Ginny," Dad said and wrapped her in hug. "You did, fine, just fine."

"But I killed him!" Ginny continued, feeling her voice trembling again.

"Ginny," Dad said gently as he rubbed her back. "Remember that those men chose to break into our home and attack our family. You were defending Adam, so you have nothing to be ashamed of and I am incredibly proud of you!"

Dad released her and she was immediately enveloped in yet another hug by Adam, and she clung to him.

"Adam," Dad continued. "I..." he hesitated. "The Death Eaters seemed especially interested in you. Do you have any idea why?"

Ginny immediately turned to look at Adam. He seemed to have frozen, as if caught in path a Bludger you couldn't avoid.

"I..." Ginny began, hoping that she could deflect the question and give Adam time to react.

It wasn't necessary however, as a series of loud noises from the far end of the hospital wing attracted attention away from Adam. She turned and gasped when she saw Professor Dumbledore disappearing into a cubicle with the Remus in his arms, quickly followed by Tonks.

"Poppy! I need you!" Professor Dumbledore's voice rang loudly from the far end of the wing.

Madam Pomfrey quickly emerged from her mum's cubicle and dashed towards Professor Dumbledore, her skirts swishing.

Ginny, Adam, and Dad followed Madam Pomfrey down the room, all anxious to verify that Remus was all right.

As they approached the cubicle Professor Dumbledore emerged looking tired, very tired.

"Albus, how is he?" Dad asked.

Professor Dumbledore sighed heavily.

"Albus," Madam Pomfrey said as she emerged from the cubicle and pulled back the certain. "I'm afraid you are correct."

"Albus," Dad said looking worried now. "What's wrong?"

Ginny tried to squint past her Dad to see what was the matter with Remus. She could see Tonks by his bed, holding his hand. From where she was standing he looked alright. Ginny, letting go of Adam, walked lightly forward towards Tonks and patted her on the shoulder. Tonks turned to stare at her, her face was stained with tears.

"Oh, Tonks," Ginny exclaimed and quite spontaneously she hugged her.

"He's gone," Tonks said quietly. Her eyes were unfocused and Ginny wasn't sure if she was actually looking at her.

"What?" Ginny said, feeling numb, how could Remus be gone. He was right here, and breathing.

"He's been Kissed," Professor Dumbledore added gravely.

Ginny looked dazedly between Tonks and Professor Dumbledore. She then turned to Adam and saw an expression of utter despair and confusion on his face.

"When..." Professor Dumbledore explained haltingly. "...when a Dementor kisses a person it removes that person's soul. Remus' body is still alive, but the part of him that made him Remus is ... gone."

As Professor Dumbledore said this Tonks sobbed loudly and buried her head into Remus' chest.

Ginny stared numbly at the man that had been not only her teacher for a year, but had become a friend over the previous two summers. Tears welled up in Ginny's eyes and she struggled to fight them back. She didn't really know Remus, she didn't have a right to mourn... surely that right belonged to Tonks. She felt a pair of arms encircle her from behind and she leaned against Adam and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Oh, Remus," she moaned quietly.

"Kids," Dad said softly, looking incredibly distressed. "I think you should at least try to get some sleep. I think Tonks needs some time alone right now. Professor Dumbledore says there are no other Gryffindors here, so you will have the Tower to yourselves," he paused. "Let's leave Tonks be for now. I'm going to stay with your mother."

Ginny nodded numbly to her dad, and started to leave the cubicle, only to stop when she saw Adam still staring numbly at Remus.

Taking his hand, Ginny led Adam out of the hospital wing and back to Gryffindor Tower. Ron, who had also been cleared by Madam Pomfrey, walked with them, no one said anything for the entire walk.

"Night, guys," Ron said in a expressionless voice once they had entered the common room.

Once Ron had gone, Ginny and Adam stared at each other and Ginny was shocked at just how lost Adam looked right now.

Coming to a decision, Ginny sat Adam down on one of the sofas and, after persuading Adam to let go of her, she trotted upstairs to her room, grabbing her blanket before returning to the common room.

When she returned, Ginny climbed onto the sofa next to Adam. She felt him wrap his arms around her and, once she was comfortable, Ginny then wrapped the blanket around both of them.

"I can't believe he's gone," Adam said in a dull voice.

"I know," Ginny replied, now feeling incredibly tired as she cuddled up against Adam's chest.

"I... I thought I'd lost you," Adam continued, suddenly sounding very small and terrified.

"But you didn't," Ginny replied, leaning up to kiss him. "I'm not going anywhere."

Ginny lay there in silence for several minutes. Soon, she felt Adam's breathing begin to slow and, once she was happy he was asleep, Ginny closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift off.

Adam
December 25th 1996

"Adam, Ginny, wake up."

Adam grunted.

He felt a hand shaking him, and he opened his eyes. He had been sleeping in a very odd position, half sitting, half lying down in a sofa.

"Morning," Adam said still only half-awake.

A moment later, he realised that Ginny was currently curled up with him, under the blanket. It felt nice.

Adam's mind now caught up with what was happening. Ginny is curled up with me under the blanket, and Mr Weasley has just woken us up, he thought in a panic. I'm dead.

"Oh, er... Mr. Weasley," Adam stammered.

"It's okay," Mr Weasley replied in a kindly voice, "but, I think don't think you should tell Mrs Weasley about this," he sighed. "It's nearly eleven. You need to get up and get showered. Professor Dumbledore has arranged for breakfast. Will you get Ron up for me as well, son?"

Adam stared as Mr Weasley left the common room. He'd expected Mr Weasley to, well, shout at him.

Shrugging it off, Adam nudged Ginny in the ribs, trying to wake her up.

She murmured softly and wriggled around in her sleep. Adam nudged her again.

Ginny finally opened her eyes, stared up at him, and smiled. "Morning," she said in a sleepy voice.

"Morning," Adam replied with a grin. "It's nearly eleven, we need to get up and er... your dad saw us."

Ginny paled suddenly. "Oh, no!" she replied. "What did he say?"

"Just not to tell your mum."

Ginny giggled. "Then we won't tell her. I better go upstairs and freshen up."

Ginny stood up and, when he tried to stand, Adam realised his legs had gone numb.

"Oh, give me a minute," Adam said. "My legs are numb."

"Erm, thanks," Ginny replied.

"What for?" Adam asked quizzically.

"Being my pillow," Ginny said and she waved at him playfully as she walked back towards the girls' staircase.

As he watched her go, Adam remembered why exactly they were sleeping on the sofa and his face fell. He knew the exact moment when she seemed to remember, too, for her expression changed and her entire body seemed slump. At the doorway, she turned one more time, her expression bleak, before she disappeared up the stairs.

Adam remained where he was until the feeling returned to his legs. Then, he went upstairs to get himself showered and dressed for the rest of the day.

As he showered his mind drifted back to the events of yesterday and then he thought about Remus. He suddenly felt his insides sink as a wave of guilt swept over him. Remus died because the Death Eaters were after me. ME!

Adam leaned numbly against the wall letting the water cascade over him. First Sirius and now Remus... He felt his body begin to tremble as he thought about what could have happened last night. Any of the Weasleys could have been killed... Ginny could have been killed... All because of him... He felt a wave of anguish so bad that he was sorely tempted to scream, or punch the tiled wall of the shower.

He stared blankly at the wall for some time, thinking back over the previous 24 hours and trying to get his emotions back under control.

He eventually realised that his skin was stinging and had begun to wrinkle up.

Come on, Adam! Get it together! he thought, trying to motivate himself to get moving. He had to carry on. He had a job to do!

Adam dried himself, dressed and walked slowly downstairs. Much to his surprise, Ginny and Ron were already waiting for him.

"Where were you?" Ginny exclaimed. "You've been ages."

"Sorry," Adam mumbled.

Ginny walked over to him and took his hand. "Come on," she said softly. "Let's go and get some breakfast."

Over breakfast, Ron began questioning both of them about the battle the previous night.

Adam didn't contribute much; he was still feeling a torrent of emotions swirling inside him. Ginny answered some of the questions, but Adam could tell she too didn't particularly want to talk about it.

"Adam?" Ron asked again, when neither his sister nor Adam answered. "What happened to that Death Eater in the living room?"

"Ginny?" Ron asked again.

"Ron!" Adam growled, suddenly losing his temper. "We don't want to talk about, so please just be quiet!"

"Fine!" Ron said sullenly, tossing his knife down. "I'll just shut up, then."

"Ron," Ginny said in more gentle tone. "We just ... it's not pleasant to talk about. We'll tell you later. I promise."

Ron seemed to finally get the message and was quiet for the remainder of the meal.

After they had finished breakfast, the three of them went immediately to the Hospital Wing. As soon as they entered the room, Adam could immediately hear Mrs Weasley.

"Arthur! Will you let me out of this bed! There's work to be done!" she raged from her bed.

Ginny giggled and then suddenly flushed. "I... I don't think she likes being told to rest anymore than we do."

The three of them walked to Mrs Weasley's bedside.

"Hi, Mum," Ginny said brightly as soon as they entered the cubicle.

"Ginny! Ron! Adam!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed. "None of you were hurt last night?"

"No, we're all fine, Mum," Ginny replied.

"Thank goodness," Mrs Weasley continued.

"Are you okay, Mum?" Ginny asked.

"I'm fine, dear!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed in exasperation. "Poppy has got me on a potion, but really I'm fine! Your father is keeping me here when I really need to be up fixing The Burrow."

"Now, Molly," Professor Dumbledore's voice drifted over to them as he walked around the corner of the cubicle. "You were exposed to the Cruciatus Curse, it is vital that any nerve damage is immediately treated."

"Yes, but... Albus!" Molly exclaimed, with her expression clouding. "I don't really remember much of it anyway!"

"Molly!" Professor Dumbledore replied, laughing. "You will be free to go tonight, or so Poppy tells me. Now I need to borrow Mr. Winters for a short time."

Adam noticed that Mr Weasley immediately turned to Professor Dumbledore. "Albus," he said sternly, "we discussed this, there are no ... repercussions. I won't stand for it!"

"Arthur," Professor Dumbledore said in a soothing voice. "I agree there will be no repercussions. I just need to have a few words with Adam," he paused. "Adam, will you come to my office?"

Adam walked with Professor Dumbledore back through the school. After a few minutes of silence Adam ventured. "How's Tonks doing?"

Professor Dumbledore sighed as he waved the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to his office aside. "Nymphadora, has naturally taken Remus' passing very hard. It has been made especially hard for her, because even though his body is still alive for now, Remus himself is ... gone."

Adam nodded numbly and he sat in the chair in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk.

"We will be holding a funeral for him in a few days," Professor Dumbledore continued. "But meanwhile, Tonks has gone home with her mother. It is very difficult to see your fiancé's body alive, but yet knowing the he is not there."

Adam felt a surge of disappointment at this. He had, very selfishly he realised, wanted to go and apologise to Tonks. It was his fault after all. Then suddenly another wave of guilt swept over him. They were engaged! They hadn't told him! Oh... Remus!

"Adam," Professor Dumbledore continued, seemingly oblivious to his plight. "We were very lucky last night, many more could have died. Voldemort took us all completely by surprise. I didn't think he would move so soon after freeing his followers. I had no intelligence from any of my sources that he might move against you, or even that he knew where you were. If I had... " Professor Dumbledore faltered. "I might have insisted you stay at Hogwarts over the Christmas break."

"I was useless," Adam murmured faintly.

"You did amazingly well, Adam," Professor Dumbledore objected, looking slightly confused. "Far more than anyone could have expected of you."

"I didn't stand a chance against Lestrange," Adam said tonelessly.

"Bellatrix Lestrange is an exceptionally powerful witch, Adam, one of the most powerful in Tom's service."

"How am I supposed to defeat Voldemort if I get trounced by his followers?" Adam asked venomously. "I'm just not good enough, sir."

"Adam, you are already skilled in offensive and defensive spells, your work with, er," he coughed. "...my army proves this."

"But I'm not good enough!" Adam persisted. "Professor, I need you to teach me more!"

"Adam, please trust me. I know you are more than skilled enough."

"But..." Adam argued.

"Adam, I'm not ready to give you further combat training at this time. We will, however, be continuing our lessons once term restarts."

"Oh... So what's going to happen now?" Adam asked hesitantly, deciding that if they were continuing their lessons, then perhaps Dumbledore would be giving him more training next term.

"I think you need to stay at Hogwarts, for at least the immediate future," Professor Dumbledore replied. "I hope to be able to convince the Weasleys that all of you should stay here, at least until the end of the holidays."

Adam nodded numbly. "I can't go back to The Burrow anymore. I can't put the Weasleys in more danger..." He trailed off, letting the rest of the thought dangle between them.

"I'm aware that you want to keep your secret, but at this point your safety is more important."

"Professor," Adam asked tentatively, wanting to change the subject. "They've come after me, so, could it be true that they will try and kill you, too, like Dobby said?"

"Adam," Professor Dumbledore replied with a twinkle now in his eye. "Death Eaters, or others like them, have been after me for a good portion of my life. I am quite capable of defending myself and I will go when it is my time," Professor Dumbledore stroked his beard. "Now, back to last night. Arthur told me that you were able to warn the others in the house about the attack."

Adam nodded again.

"Would you tell me how you were able to do that?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"Dobby," Adam replied. "He came to warn me."

Professor Dumbledore stared at him as if to say, what else?

"And... erm... I had a dream," Adam added hesitantly.

"A dream?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"Yeah," Adam replied. "There were some people talking..." Adam screwed his face up as he tried to remember. "One was Bellatrix Lestrange!"

"What did Bellatrix say?"

"Erm, they were coming, the other voice said that I was his, and wasn't to be harmed..." Adam said in a quiet voice.

"I think," Professor Dumbledore said slowly. "That the other voice you were hearing was Voldemort. Has anything like this happened before?"

Adam hesitated. "I think I've only had one other dream," Adam replied thoughtfully. Then he changed his mind. "No... I've had two I think," Adam paused and raised his arms in frustration. "I can't remember! My scar hurts whenever I have them, but it sometimes hurts when I don't have them."

"When was the last time your scar hurt?" Professor Dumbledore asked, his expression blank.

"Before yesterday, it was the day of the Azkaban breakout."

"And when was the first time your scar hurt?" Professor Dumbledore asked intently, leaning forward.

Adam shrugged.

"Was it before your capture?"

"Before," Adam said, thinking back. "Definitely before."

Professor Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard.

"I think, Adam," he spoke after a few minutes silence. "That you and Voldemort are somehow linked. It would explain these dreams, and would also explain how you can speak Parseltongue."

"I'm connected to him?" Adam echoed in a disgusted tone.

Professor Dumbledore paused. "I am afraid so. I will have to conduct some research and do some thinking to be sure. But that is what I believe. I believe that when he attacked you as a child, he transferred some of his powers to you."

Adam stared dumbfounded. He was connected to Voldemort! He was connected somehow to the man who had murdered his parents, killed Sirius and sent the Dementors that had killed Remus.

Adam felt sick.

He felt dirty.

"Can I go?" Adam asked, in a weak voice. He needed to get some fresh air, he needed to get out of here!

"There is just one more thing, Adam," Professor Dumbledore said. "Arthur was speaking to me about the apparent interest Lestrange had showed in you that night."

Adam tensed. Had Professor Dumbledore told Mr Weasley?

"I did not tell him, Adam," Dumbledore continued, apparently reading his mind. "I do not think anyone is in the right emotional state to deal with that right at this moment, but I must again encourage you to confide in the Weasleys."

"How can I tell them?" Adam asked bleakly. "It's all because of me that their family was attacked. Half of their family could have been killed because of me!"

"It was not your fault, Adam!"

"It is," Adam said angrily. "So I can hardly tell them now, can I?"

"They will understand, Adam," Professor Dumbledore encouraged. "You give the Weasleys too little credit."

Adam growled under his breath. "Can I just go please?" he snapped. He couldn't deal with this right now. All he wanted to do was go and lie down and try to forget everything. He just wanted to forget about Harry Potter. Harry Potter got people killed.

Professor Dumbledore sighed. "Certainly, Adam."

Adam dashed down the stairs, away from the Headmaster's office and stormed out into the grounds. He needed to be alone right now.

He returned to the Gryffindor common room several hours later after a long walk around the lake. As soon as he entered the room, he was nearly bowled over by Ginny hugging him.

"Guess what?" she said in an overly bright voice.

"What?"

"It's Christmas today!"

Adam stared around the common room. Ron and Mr and Mrs Weasley were sitting on the sofa in front of the fire with a small pile of presents between them. He'd completely forgotten with everything that had happened that it was Christmas.

"I went back to The Burrow and brought back the presents," Mr Weasley said. "We all need to keep our spirits up!"

Adam looked around at the Weasleys, feeling completely wretched.

"Actually, I think I..." he began, but was interrupted by Ginny standing on his foot.

"Don't you dare," she whispered, looking at him furiously. "You're staying here. You need this and we need you to be here… I need you to be here. I don't care if you want to go off and feel sorry for yourself. I'm not going to let you!"

Adam stared blankly at his girlfriend and sighed. Perhaps she was right, perhaps trying to have a bit of fun would make him feel better.

So accepting defeat, Adam went and sat with the others, forcing a grin onto his face. If everyone was determined to try and make the best of Christmas, despite everything that had happened the previous day, he would join in as well.

December 30th 1996

Adam had worn his best school robes for the memorial service today. They were the smartest clothes he had.

Over the last few days, he'd been having very mixed feelings when it came to the funeral: part of him was dreading it, while another was anxious for it to be over. Adam wasn't even sure if he was attending a real funeral; Remus' body wasn't being buried because it was still alive. Adam didn't really want to think about the logistics of it. What was important was that they were here to remember Remus' life.

When Adam arrived in the Great Hall, he saw Tonks already sitting on the front row next to a woman Adam didn't know. Both women were wearing all black, even Tonks' hair was black.

Adam took a step forward towards Tonks. He wanted to say something to her, he needed to say something to her. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Mr Weasley standing just behind him.

"Adam," he said softly. "Now's not the time, let's get to our seats."

Adam allowed himself to be led to a row of chairs where he sat between Ginny and Ron. He looked around and was disappointed to find that there weren't many people here. In addition to the Weasleys, he spotted all of the Hogwarts staff, a few students, Tonks and a man and woman Ginny told him were Tonks' mother and father. A smattering of Order members rounded out the gathering.

Adam stared numbly straight ahead during the funeral. He watched as a picture of Remus was placed upon the dais where the staff table would normally be. He listened as first a man he didn't know and then Professor Dumbledore spoke about Remus. During the proceedings he heard Ginny sniffle and begin to cry next to him, so he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. But he didn't feel anything.

Aren't I supposed to feel sad or upset at a funeral? he wondered. Instead, he just felt numb, completely numb inside. He thought back to the moments he had shared with Remus over the years; the first time he had met him on the Hogwarts Express, the afternoons the professor had taught him and Ginny how to cast the Patronus Charm, how Remus had shouted at him for having the Marauder's Map and finally the times during the previous summer when he had helped him come to terms with his identity.

Suddenly, it was as if a dam had been broken and Adam felt his eyes fill with moisture. He blinked furiously to try to clear them and then wiped them with his sleeve. It didn't help, so Adam just allowed his eyes to well up. He vaguely felt Ginny giving his hand a squeeze.

The ceremony seemed to continue around Adam, who just stared blankly ahead of him. Soon he felt people nearby getting to their feet so he followed. As he turned to walk towards the doors to the hall, Adam noticed that Tonks had risen and was now standing alone at the foot of the dais.

Adam hesitated for a second, and then strode purposely towards her, coming to a halt a few feet away.

"Tonks," Adam said softly.

She turned around, and Adam was surprised to see a small smile appear on her face, which seemed slightly flushed.

"Adam," Tonks replied. "Thanks for coming."

"Tonks," Adam said in a strangled voice. "I'm sorry..."

"Adam," Tonks replied quickly, "Remus, he..." Tonks turned and looked back at the picture. "He thought a lot of you, and well..." Tonks turned back to Adam. "I was thinking, if it's okay with you, I'd like to have a headstone placed next to your parents in the churchyard at Godric's Hollow. Sirius is buried there as well."

Adam stared dumbfounded at Tonks. He hadn't even considered where his parents were buried, or Sirius. He felt his insides give another lurch and he struggled to control himself.

"I..." Adam began, feeling his eyes threatening to well up again. "Er... That's fine."

Much to his surprise, Tonks smiled at him again. "Thank you, Adam. I think..." she began, "... that it's what he would have wanted."

Tonks turned back towards the dais. Unsure what else to say, Adam turned and began to walk away.

"Adam," Tonks called after him.

Adam spun around and walked back to her side.

"There was something that Remus and I were going to ask you," Tonks said, beckoning Adam closer. "So I guess ... " she began and suddenly her voice choked up. "We found out a month or so ago that I'm pregnant."

"Pregnant?" Adam gasped. Then suddenly clapped his hand over his mouth. "Sorry..." he said faintly. "That was really rude."

Tonks, much to Adams amazement, laughed. "You weren't as shocked as Remus when I told him. We were going to ask you later on, Remus suggested it...but would you be the child's Godfather?"

"Me?" Adam squeaked, feeling completely astounded.

"You don't have to answer right away," Tonks replied.

Adam nodded numbly. "I mean... I'll do it, of course I'll do it. If it was what Remus wanted, but why me... I can't. I don't know anything about kids," he shook his head. "You should find someone better."

"Adam," Tonks replied, putting her hand on his shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "Remus thought a lot of you... I think a lot of you. Remus didn't have any family left, and, even from when he was about your age, his family really was the Marauders; Sirius, your dad and now by extension you. Please agree. I'm sure it will mean a lot to Remus, wherever he is now."

"I..." Adam hesitated. "Of course. It's just..."

"Thank you, Adam," Tonks replied, cutting him off and then falling silent.

Adam stayed and rested his hand on the frame of Remus' portrait for a few moments, before turning and walking away. As he took his first step, he froze, turned around and hugged Tonks. She sobbed softly against his shoulder as she returned the hug.

She released him, and then immediately turned away. Perhaps she didn't want him to see her cry?

Feeling awkward and at a complete loss for what else he could say to Tonks, he turned and walked back towards the doors of the Great Hall.