Chapter Nine

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the H.P characters or material, they belong to J.K Rowling.

St. Mungoes

"Room twenty five Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, if you'd like to just step right through here?" asked the small receptionist. With her hand she indicated the hallway on her left. Grimly nodding their thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley shot off as fast as their tired legs could carry them. Hurrying around corners and doctors who were rushing to their designated area, the couple quickly made their way to room twenty five. Reaching it they peered through the small, glass window set in the door. Yep, this sure was Tonk's room. Mr. Weasley held open the door for his wife; and the couple were greeted with the familiar sight of all the Order, gathered around a small hospital bed.

It wasn't much to look at; the whole room was painted a plain white. A large window on the far corner was covered with cream curtains. It reminded the occupants in the room, about the childish nightmares they had when they were young. When nutty doctors would chase them around deserted white corridors, sending them jumping up from their nightmares in horror.

Tonks however could be seen laying on her stomach, in the single metal, hospital bed. Her injuries were too great to risk her opening them back up again, by lying on her back. As soon as Mrs. Weasley saw Nymphadora's limp figure she shrieked, making everybody jump from their daydreams. She waddled over to Nymphadora as fast as she could.

"What happened?" she asked, her eyes spilling the hidden worry and sadness, "Who did this!?"

"Calm down Molly!" Moody barked, "Didn't anybody explain what happened?"

Mr. Weasley shook his head, "We only just heard, both of us were on duty."

Lupin glanced over at Mrs. Weasley, barley even taking in her appearance. His eyes traveled once again to Tonks, her pale face haunting his eyes. He completely ignored the others, as they tried to explain what had happened to the two new comers. All he could think of was Tonks, why did that witch want her so much? Of course, Bellatrix was somehow related to her, but what had Nymphadora ever done to her? Remus had just a slight idea of where Bellatrix's fury and vengeance was channeling from.

"Remus?" Bill asked, "Did you end up telling her about her fath…parents? You know…"

Remus mentally kicked himself. That was exactly what he was just thinking about, of all the things that had to be mentioned.

"No, but she did find out about...-uhh"

Every pair of eyes in the room swiveled around to Remus as his sentence was cut midway. They all sighed when he didn't dare make eye contact with anyone.

"She would have found out sooner or later" Mr. Weasley said, "It was only a matter of time."

Everybody was silent for a moment, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

"Where is Sir-Snuffles?" asked Charlie, changing the subject in order to change the mood.

Everybody frowned, as if the world outside the room could hear his words.

"With Dumbledore" Mrs. Weasley said, she still had her eyes on the sleeping Tonks, "We saw him just after we left. He seemed to be very angry."

"I don't blame him" Bill said, "He probably wants to be here right now."

Everybody nodded. Each of them knew, Sirius would be furious when they finally did return to headquarters.

"Well, I think its time we were getting back to the Ministry" Moody grumbled, "Kingsley, you coming?"

The tall man sitting in the shadows nodded, they both stood from their chairs. With a final glance toward Tonks, and a muttered farewell to the rest, they vanished through the door.

"Well, Bill I think we should get going to" Charlie said. Not long after that, Charlie, Bill and Mr. Weasley were following Moody and Kingsley's footsteps, vanishing from view. The only ones left were Mrs. Weasley, Lupin and of course Tonks. Remus could barely register that everyone had left; he didn't care at the moment as regret and worry clouded his mind. His eyes were drooping, he hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in a while.

"Remus?" Molly asked. When he didn't answer, she lightly tapped his shoulder.

He jumped slightly, ripping his eyes from Tonk's face, "Yes?"

"Are you going back to Sirius's place for a rest?"

He shook his head automatically, Molly smiled. She wasn't even sure he had heard the question. His eyes kept flickering over to Nymphadora, as if to clarify she still was asleep.

"Well, I'm going back" she stated, "If you want me to stay here with her, you know all you have to do is ask."

He shook his head again, this time opening his mouth to speak, "It's alright, I'll just wait until she wakes up."

Molly nodded, her hand resting on the handle of the door, "Its times like these, that are supposed to wake us up to the reality of what is happening to our loved ones" she said after a pause, "But sometimes it takes that final bit longer."

Lupin was listening his head turned away from her.

"Just promise me Lupin, that you will tell her. If not now, soon."

Remus was silent, he knew perfectly well what she was talking about, he was just too stubborn to accept it, "There is nothing to tell Molly, there never was and there never will be."

With a final, disappointed glance at the back of Lupin's head Mrs. Weasley turned on her heel to follow the others.

A:N/ Hey guys, I know some of you are just about ready to kill me, for not updating in so long. But trust me when I say I am now updating more frequently, and as best I can under my circumstances. It's just that the past month has been pretty hectic, because my mum just had a baby boy (Jayden), and he hasn't given me a good night's sleep in a month, he really does cry that loud.

Well, thanks for being patient, I'll try to update sooner, so please review and tell me what you think.