A/N: Thanks to all of you who reviewed. You know who you are. Anyways, on with the chapter.

Chapter 17

Ginny found Harry in Ron's room talking with his parents.

Ginny didn't want to disturb them until she heard the word Snape.

"I don't trust him either Harry. How dare he show his face here after what he did? And on my birthday too" Ginny exclaimed.

Harry must've known she was there because he wasn't startled by her sudden outburst.

"You read my mind on that one Ginny. But my parents and Sirius have another thought. They trust him. I thought they were on my side not his" Harry stated.

"All we're saying is that, yes it was horrible that he killed Dumbledore but at the same time, Dumbledore made him do it. You are the only one who can destroy Voldemort and Snape was moving you into that direction, by getting rid of the huge obstacle. We all loved Dumbledore in someway. So did him you. That's why Snape did what he did. Dumbledore would tell you the same" Lily said.

Little did Harry know, Ginny was silently going through his box of pictures looking for Dumbledore's picture. She found it and enlarged it so he could hear their conversation.

Ginny levitated Dumbledore's picture on the wall so he could talk with everyone.

"Your mother is correct Harry" Dumbledore said in a low tone.

"What….oh Dumbledore. I am ever so relieved to hear your voice. I guess I have to understand. I still won't trust him yet. He has to prove himself" Harry got out before crying helplessly.

"I'm going to go and leave you to cry in peace" Ginny said before running away.

"We'll just go to our other pictures. Remember Harry, this all needs to happen" James said. He and Lily disappeared.

Harry sat there sobbing until Dumbledore spoke.

"Harry, you don't need to cry for me. I am not worth crying over"

(Since Harry and Dumbledore are the only ones in the room, Dumbledore is in italics and Harry is in regular)

"Yes you are Dumbledore. You were my mentor. You were like a grandfather to me. Why did he have to do that, why?"

"Harry, if I was in the way neither side of the prophecy would have been fulfilled. You alone are the only one who can destroy Voldemort. I can still teach you things you need to know, just not physically. I have to admit though; you were also like a grandson to me. Like the one I'll never have"

"Thanks Dumbledore. For everything. Now I must go. I will talk to you later. It really is good to hear your voice"

Harry went downstairs with his face tear-stained, for Ginny's birthday party.

The party was great. Everyone they were friends with was there.

Ginny loved all her gifts; especially the one Harry gave her.

Ginny insisted on telling everyone what the necklace meant and what it was for.

After the explanation, everyone's eyes turned to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for their approval.

Mr. Weasley smiled and shook Harry's hand in approval. Mrs. Weasley on the other hand, hugged Harry so tight that it could only mean her approval.

Ginny smiled so hard. Harry couldn't help it either.

All the guests slowly went home, leaving Remus, Tonks, and the rest of the Weasley family, which includes Harry and Hermione.

Remus and Tonks were about to leave, when Remus pulled Harry aside to talk to him.

"Harry in one of the letters you sent me, you said that I should take my own advice. What did you mean by that?" Remus asked.

"Well, you wrote to me saying that no matter what the circumstance, Ginny has her own mind and can decide to be with me or not. What I meant was that, Tonks has her own mind too. Let her decide whether to be with you or not. It is her decision. From what I can see, she doesn't care that you're a dangerous, older werewolf. Let her be with you Remus. She can make up her mind. Not you. Let her tell her side of the story. Now you should go and get some rest. I hear tomorrow is a full moon. Don't give me the, 'she doesn't care for me like that' speech. She does Remus. I'll talk to you later" with that said, Harry walked away.

Remus shook his head in disbelief but, pondered at how Tonks could care about a dangerous and old werewolf.

Remus and Tonks went their separate ways, until Remus couldn't help but follow her home.

He followed at a distance so he could just casually knock at her door, once she was inside.

Tonks opened her front door and went inside.

Remus waited around 10 minutes before knocking on her door.

Tonks opened her door, still in her work clothes, to find a nervous looking Remus Lupin.

"Remus, what are you doing here?" Tonks asked.

"I came to talk to you about something really important" Remus replied, really nervous.

"Alright, come in" Tonks said, moving aside to allow Remus to enter.

Tonks led him into the living room and motioned for him to sit on the couch.

"So what did you need to talk to me about?" Tonks asked.

Remus couldn't speak he was so nervous, he was shaking.

"Remus you're shaking. Is it really that bad?"

"No it isn't bad at all. I'm just really nervous. Well I'll just come out with it. I….I…I love you Nymphadora. I know I've been a real stupid, old fool about it and I'm sorry for that"

She hated when people called her by her first name but, when Remus said it, it sounded right.

"Oh Remus, how come it took you so long to tell me?"

"I guess because I always questioned how you could love a dangerous and old werewolf"

"I do love you Remus. I don't care that you are a dangerous werewolf. I live danger. It is my job. You are not old Remus, at least not to me" Tonks smiled at him.

Remus smiled back.

He pulled her in for a hug, which turned into a long passionate kiss.

When they broke away, they both smiled at each other.

They chatted for a while until Tonks realized what time it was. It was nearing 12:00 AM.

"Goodnight Remus. I love you"

"Goodnight Nymphadora. I love you too, you know"

"I do now"

They shared a light peck on the lips, then Remus went out her front door, going straight home.

A/N: wow this took all day to write. I had to put in a conversation with Harry and Dumbledore. I also had to put a RL/NT moment in this chapter. I hope you liked it. PLEASE REVIEW!