Chapter Six: Emptiness.

Remus saw Tonks turn toward a weak jet of green light speeding toward him. Tonks stood in front of Remus, arms outstretched. Almost in slow motion, the spell hit her chest, and she fell back against Remus. Remus gaped at her in shock, tears forming in his eyes. He looked up, seeing the Eater who had cast the spell laughing. His tears were those of anger and sorrow, and nothing could withstand his rage.

"IMPEDAMENTA!" He shouted.

The Eater was thrown against the stone steps, and rolled all the way down, limp as a rag doll, like Tonks had done three years previously. Remus ran over to the limp form, grabbing the wand and snapping it. Then, letting out his sorrow in a fearsome yell, turned back to the thick of battle. Many more Eaters had lost their lives, and Tonks seemed to be the Order's only loss. The door at the top of the steps banged open, and a pale Lucious Malfoy ran in, shouting.

"The Dark Lord has fallen! Flee! The Dark Lord has-" He went rigid, and fell down the stairs, hitting the bottom with a sick thud.

"That was for Hermione!" Ron screamed, tears of anger running down his face as well. Harry dashed up behind him, urging him into the melee.

Death Eaters scattered, trying to escape the Order members and Azkaban. Many apparated, some were caught, and others were killed. Yet none of this mattered as Lupin crossed the room and took Tonks' limp form in his arms and wept bitterly. He had lost everyone. His three best friends, and now his wife. He raised his head and looked around the room, and sorrow reflected in his brown eyes. This was the same room where Sirius had died, and now Tonks was gone, too. Many people were fixing minor bruises, and cuts. Poppy Pomfry, who had been at #12, was helping Hermione down the stairs, a worried Ron at her side. Hermione's head was bleeding from an ugly looking gash, and one of her arms was limp, like a glove filled with water.

"It's alright, Ron. Madame Pomfry can grow the bones back!" Hermione was saying. Ron remained pale as . Harry turned to face the two of them, and his view was blocked by Ginny as she threw himself onto him. He kissed her, just like he had in his sixth year. When he broke apart, he looked over a Lupin, who was sobbing and holding Tonks.

"Madame Pomfry!" he yelled, and ran to join Lupin.

"She's gone…" Lupin barely managed to gasp out, not looking at Harry. He heard Poppy approach.

"Let me look at her, Remus." She said, gently taking her out of Lupin's arms. She removed Harry's glasses and held them in front of Tonks' mouth. After half a minute, a small spot of fog appeared on them.

Lupin couldn't believe it.

"But…it was Avada Kadavra! How?" he stuttered.

"Who cast the spell?" asked Harry.

Lupin pointed dumbly to the limp masked figure at the bottom of the stairs. Harry went over to the Eater, and removed the mask. Laying there , white-blonde hair still slicked back, was Draco Malfoy.

"He didn't have the experience. He couldn't cast it right." Said Harry.

Lupin stood, eyes shining with relief. He picked up Tonks, and apparated to St. Mungo's. He reluctantly handed her over to the healers, who laid her on a bed, set up an IV, and started performing the necessary charms.

"She'll be fine, sir. But visiting hours are over. You can return in the morning, she ought to be awake by then." The healer told Remus.

"All right." Remus said. "But she'll need this." He passed a small bottle into the healer's hands. "It's wolfsbane potion. She's my wife, and I've transferred my lycanthropy onto her."

The healer nodded, and placed the bottle on her bedside table. Remus kissed Tonks' forehead, and apparated home. Things were going to be okay.

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A/N: Ok, Tonks ain't . Don't you love me? Lol. Just a hint for what's coming, Chapter Seven's title will be: Remus' Surprise.