Chapter 19: Nymphadora and Remus

"Can this now be the moment to discuss it, please," Tonks asked only a tiny bit sardonically. They were still in the hospital wing, but this time more or less alone; Neville was still sleeping in his bed next to the door, Bill was still unconscious, and Fleur had also dosed off next to him. The Weasleys and Hermione had left, Molly casting very clear and demanding glances towards Remus.

"There's still nothing to discuss," Remus answered and made for the door.

"Yes, there is!" Tonks was far more agile than him and in one swift movement had blocked the door. "I love you and you love me, but only one of us is a pigheaded brick not brave enough to admit it!"

"This is not bravery! This is just plain foolishness to throw yourself into the cave of a monster!" Remus was starting to lose his patience.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, please at least try to see reason!" Tonks despaired.

Fleur stirred a bit, and both Remus and Tonks admonished each other, "Shh!"

"We should continue this talk elsewhere," Remus said silently, watching Fleur calm down again, her one hand buried in Bill's hair, her other gently touching his disfigured face.

"Like hell we will!" Tonks said in a furious whisper. "We will finish this here and now, one way or another."

"And what is this way? Both of us dead in some ditch somewhere, me having torn you to pieces? Or you cowering back at a corner of some dusty old room with me the ferocious beast snarling and about to attack you? Or perhaps…"

"Well, one option is that you lock yourself up in that dusty old room somewhere and spend the rest of your life, however long or short it shall be, wallowing in self pity while I go on with my life and WON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOU…"

"Shhh!"

Tonks shook herself once, smiled quickly and apologetically, then continued.

"And the other one is that you will marry me and we will have kids and we'll both live happily ever after, together until we die."

Remus looked older than he had a moment ago.

"Tonks, I've told you…"

"And," Tonks continued forcefully, though still in a whisper, "as I know quite well that the first option is not an option at all, because I could not go on with my life as if nothing had happened, and as there is no other way, because I refuse to let you ruin my life, the only thing you have to do now is to say that you will marry me." She smiled, willing her teeth as white and her eyes as sparkly as possible, looking rather proud of having come against Remus' cowardice with such unerring logic.

Remus sighed. "You don't…"

"I do!"

"Let me finish. You don't know what you're saying. You don't know what hell you're trying to break into! You don't know what…" he swallowed, "what an uninteresting person I am to be around."

Tonks laughed.

"So that's the reason! No more scaring me away with the wolf! Are you really saying you don't want me because you think I'd be bored with you?"

"Tonks, I…" he looked down ashamedly.

"I love this quiet boring bookworm that you are! Tell me you will marry me!"

"Tonks, I…"

"Tell me! Now! That's an order!"

"Tonks, I…" Remus sighed, and smiled. "All right. If you're so sure, then yes, I will."

"Wheeee!!!" Tonks started, but quickly remembered where she was and covered her mouth with both hands, but her bright dark eyes were still seen sparkling with glee. In a moment she removed her hands again, threw herself into Remus' waiting embrace.

Remus closed his eyes and leaned forward for a kiss which his lips had longed for so long, and he could already feel Tonks' nervous breath on his face, when the woman suddenly slipped out from between his arms, plopped down on a hospital bed and said with a suppressed sob, "It's all wrong!"

Remus opened his eyes again, shocked, hurt, and bewildered.

"But… you said you wanted me to…"

"I did! But you should have said that! And I should have said what you said! And now I'll never have a proper proposal to tell my grandchildren about!"

"Tonks, I…" said Remus again, not knowing what else to say.

"But… I know!" Tonks' face lit up again immediately. "Come here!"

Remus carefully sat down on the bed next to her.

"No, not like that. You must be here!" she indicated with a finger the spot right in front of her.

"Alright," Remus said, standing up again and stopping at the indicated place. Having caught on what she was after, he still refused to surrender to her completely.

"Now kneel down!"

"As my lady commands," Remus said, and slowly got on his knees, wincing when they protested.

"And now say it!"

"It."

"No, you horrible man! Say, will you marry me?"

"I already said, yes, I will."

"Oh, why did I have to fall in love with a prick…" she despaired a bit overenthusiastically.

"A Marauder, my lady, is the correct term…" Remus quickly supplied.

"Please, just give me one nice romantic moment to remember in old age from the time we were in love! Please, Remus!"

"Alright. Nymhadora, my lady, my love, my darling, my honey," he tried to kiss her ankles, but instead got a light kick straight on his nose, "will you marry me? Be my wife, bear my kids, patch my robes, wash my dishes, read my newspapers…"

"I thought you'd never ask!" Tonks quickly answered, not willing to hear out what else the list had in store for her. "You horrible man," she added after a moment, just in case, taking firm hold of the torn collar of his faded robes and pulling him upwards to meet her.

"Correct term is a Marauder," he said, and this time the sweet breath on his face moved closer, to sooth his burning lips.