Tonks's POV

He's back. Not You-Know-Who, he was back ages ago, but Remus. We have agreed to be polite to each other, and still be acquaintances (I wonder if this is killing him like it's killing me).

Tonight, my Order work is patrolling the castle with Remus and Bill. We joined Minerva and quietly did our job. It was peaceful work. That is, until Ron, Ginny, and Neville came bursting towards us.

"Malfoy got a bunch of Death Eaters in!" said Ron quickly. We found them at the Astronomy Tower in minutes. Then we started fighting and dueling. They started running and we followed them. I recognized a Death Eater, Gibbon, run up to the Tower.

Gibbon returned, and was hit by a killing curse that thankfully just missed Remus. We were fighting to our best, but we weren't doing so well. The Death Eaters were powerful and they wouldn't give up. Neville ran to go up the stairs, but there must have been a shield there, because he bounced off of it and hit the ground, hard. Greyback, meanwhile, was attacking Bill. I was dueling Rowle, and I was determined to win. A Death Eater shot a hex that caused half the ceiling to fall in. The barrier on the stairs was broken, so we ran through. I saw Severus and the Malfoy boy emerge, but I didn't attack them (I had thought they were on our side, but later, I wish I had attacked them).

The fighting resumed. Rowle kept casting curse after curse, but I was too quick for him. I heard Severus shout something in the distance. The Death Eaters retreated. Somehow, we had won.

We brought Neville and Bill to the hospital wing. We waited there, not sure what to do now. We had to know the whole story. Ron, Ginny, Neville, Hermione, and Luna were there also. Ginny left to go find Harry.

Remus and I sat down on the chairs next to Bill's bed as everyone gathered around him. Neville was sleeping in the bed closest the door, and the nurse (Madame Pomfrey, I think) said he'll be fine. Now it was Bill we were worried about.

Ginny eventually arrived with Harry. Hermione ran over to hug him. Remus got up too, relieved to see Harry.

"Are you all right, Harry?" He asked.

"I'm fine . . . How's Bill?" Harry asked. No one answered him, and he went to see Bill properly. "Can't you fix them with a charm or something?"

"No charm will work on these. I've tried everything I know, but there is no cure for werewolf bites." said Madame Pomfrey.

Ron looked queasy. "But he wasn't bitten at the full moon. Greyback hadn't transformed, so surely Bill won't be a—a real—?" He looked at Remus.

"No, I don't think that Bill will be a true werewolf, but that does not mean that there won't be some contamination. Those are cursed wounds. They are unlikely ever to heal fully, and—and Bill have some wolfish characteristics from now on," said Remus.

"Dumbledore might know something that'd work, though, where is he?" Ron said, voicing the question that we were all thinking. Where was Dumbledore? Now that I thought about it, I hadn't seen him at all. "Bill fought those maniacs on Dumbledore's orders, Dumbledore owes him, he can't leave him in this state—"

Ginny cut in, "Ron—Dumbledore's dead."

I was in shock. Complete, utter shock. I was vaguely aware of Remus yelling "No!" and sitting down next to me.

I recovered enough to whisper, "How did he die? How did it happen?"

Harry took a deep breath, "Snape killed him. I was there, I saw it. We arrived back at the Astronomy Tower because that's where the Mark was. . . Dumbledore was ill, he was weak, but I think he realized it was a trap when we heard footsteps running up the stairs. He immobilized me, I couldn't do anything, I was under the Invisibility Cloak—and then Malfor came through the door and disarmed him—more Death Eaters arrived—and then Snape—and Snape did it. The Avada Kedavra." Harry stopped, and Madame Pomfrey started crying, but was shushed by Ginny.

Then, a beautiful phoenix song began. It was sweet, sad, and wonderful. We listened to it in silence until Minerva entered. "Molly and Arthur are on their way. Harry, what happened? According to Hagrid you were with Professor Dumbledore when he—when it happened. He says Professor Snape was involved in some—"

"Snape killed Dumbledore," Harry said blankly.

Minerva looked like she was going to faint. She sat down, "Snape. We all wondered . . . but he trusted . . . always . . . Snape . . . I can't believe it . . ."

"Snape was a highly accomplished Occlumens. We always knew that," said Remus harshly.

My voice still wouldn't go to above a whisper. "But Dumbledore swore he was on our side! I always thought Dumbledore must know something about Snape that we didn't . . ."

Minerva muttered, "He always hinted that he had an ironclad reason for trusting Snape. I mean . . . with Snape's history . . . of course people were bound to wonder . . . But Dumbledore told me explicitly that Snape's repentance was absolutely genuine . . . Wouldn't hear a word against him!"

"I'd love to know what Snape told him to convince him," I said.

"I know," Harry said, "Snape passed Voldemort the information that made Voldemort hunt down my mum and dad. Then Snape told Dumbledore he hadn't realized what he was doing, he was really sorry he'd done it, sorry that they were dead."

Remus was incredulous. "And Dumbledore believe that? Dumbledore believed Snape was sorry James was dead? Snape hated James . . ."

"And he didn't think my mother was worth a damn either," continued Harry, "because she was Muggle-born. . . 'Mudblood,' he called her . . ."

Minerva was disoriented. "This is all my fault. My fault. I sent Filius to fetch Snape tonight, I actually sent for him to come and help us! If I hadn't alerted Snape to what was going on, he might never have joined forces with the Death Eaters. I don't think he knew they were there before Filius told him, I don't think he knew they were coming."

Remus frowned. "It isn't your fauly, Minerva. We all wanted more help, we were glad to think Snape was on his way . . ."

Harry was desperate to know everything. "So, when he arrived at the fight, he joined in on the Death Eaters' side?"

Minerva sighed. "I don't know exactly how it happened. It's all so confusing . . . Dumbledore had told us that he would be leaving the school for a few hours and that we were to patrol the corridors just in case . . . Remus, Bill, and Nymphadora were to join us. . . and so we patrolled. All seemed quiet. Every secret passageway out of the school was covered. We knew nobody could fly in. There were powerful enchantments on every entrance into the castle. I still don't know how the Death Eaters can possibly have entered . . ."

"I do," Harry said and he talked about Vanishing Cabinets and a pair that had one in Hogwarts. Ron continued the story.

"I messed up, Harry. We did like you told us: so we thought he must be in the Room of Requirement, so me, Ginny, and Neville went to keep watch on it . . . but Malfoy got past us."

Ginny spoke up, "He came out of the room about an hour after we started keeping watch. He was on his own, clutching that awful shriveled arm—"

"His Hand of Glory." cut in Ron, "Gives light only to the holder, remember?"

Ginny went on. "Anyway, he must have been checking whether the coast was clear to let the Death Eaters out, because the moment he saw us he threw something into the air and it all went pitch-black—"

"—Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder," Ron cut in again. "Fred and George's. I'm going to be having a word with them about who they let buy their products."

Ginny continued. "We tried everything, lumos, incendio. Nothing would penetrate the darkness; all we could do was grope our way out of the corridor again, and meanwhile we could hear people rushing past us. Obviously Malfoy could see because of the hand thing and was guiding them, but we didn't dare use any curses or anything in case we hit each other, and by the time we'd reached a corridor that was light, they'd gone."

Remus picked up hoarsely. "Luckily, Ron, Ginny, and Neville ran into us almost immediately and told us what had happened. We found the Death Eaters minutes later, heading in the direction of the Astronomy Tower. Malfoy obviously hadn't expected more people to be on the watch; he seemed to have exhausted his supply of Darkness Powder, at any rate. A fight broke out, they scattered and we gave chase. One of them, Gibbon, broke away and headed up the tower stairs—."

"To set off the Mark?" Harry asked.

Remus nodded. "He must have done, yes, they must have arranged that before they left the Room of Requirement. But I don't think Gibbon liked that idea of waiting up there alone for Dumbledore, because he came running back downstairs to rejoin the fight and was hit by a killing curse that just missed me."

"So if Ron was watching The Room of Requirement with Ginny and Neville," Harry turned to Hermione, "were you—?"

"Outside Snape's office, yes, with Luna." said Hermione, close to tears. "We hung around for ages outside it and nothing happened . . . We didn't know what was going on upstairs, Ron had taken the map . . . It was nearly midnight when Professor Flitwick came sprinting down into the dungeons. He was shouting about Death Eaters in the castle, I don't think he really registered that Luna and I were there at all, he just burst his way into Snape's office and we heard him saying that Snape had to go back with him and help and then we heard a loud thump and Snape came hurtling out of his room and he saw us and—and—"

"What?" Harry asked, impatiently.

"I was so stupid, Harry! He said Professor Flitwick had collapsed and that we should go and take care of him while he—while he went to help fight the Death Eaters—. We went into his office to see if we could help Professor Flitwick and found him unconscious on the floor . . . and oh, it's so obvious now, Snape must have Stupefied Flitwick, but we didn't realize, Harry, we didn't realize, we just let Snape go!"

"It's not your fault." Remus said, firmly. "Hermione, had you not obeyed Snape and got out of the way, he probably would have killed you and Luna." All of our opinions of Severus had worsened tonight.

"So then he came upstairs," Harry said, "and he found the place where you were all fighting . . ."

I decided to continue it. "We were in trouble, we were losing. Gibbon was down, but the rest of the Death Eaters seemed ready to fight to the death. Neville had been hurt, Bill had been savaged by Greyback . . . It was all dark . . . curses flying everywhere . . . The Malfoy boy had vanished, he must have slipped past, up the stairs . . . then more of them ran after him, but once of them blocked the stair behind them with some kind of curse . . . Neville ran at it and got thrown up into the air—"

"None of us could break though, and that massive Death Eater was still firing off jinxes all over the place, they were bouncing off the walls, and barely missing us. . ." Ron trailed off.

"And then Snape was there," I said, "and then he wasn't—"

"I saw him running toward us, but that huge Death Eater's jinx just missed me right afterward and I ducked and lost track of things," Ginny said.

"I saw him run straight through the cursed barrier as though it wasn't there. I tried to follow him, but was thrown back just like Neville . . ." Remus said.

"He must have known a spell we didn't. After all—he was the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. . . I just assumed that he was in a hurry to chase after the Death Eaters who'd escaped up to the tower . . ." whispered Minerva.

"He was, but to help them, not to stop them . . . and I'll bet you had to have a Dark Mark to get through that barrier—so what happened when he came back down?" asked Harry.

Remus sighed. "Well, the big Death Eater had just fired off a hex that caused half the ceiling to fall in, and also broke the curse clocking the stairs. We all ran forward—those of us who were still standing anyway—and then Snape and the boy emerged out of the dust—obviously, none of us attacked them—"

"We just let them pass," I said, regrettably. "We thought they were being chased by the Death Eaters—and next thing, the other Death Eaters and Greyback were back and we were fighting again—I thought I heard Snape shout something, but I don't know what—"

Harry spoke up, "He shouted, 'It's over.' He'd done what he'd meant to do. "

We all fell silent, shaken by the events of tonight. Then, Molly, Arthur, and Fleur came running in.

"Molly—Arthur—" began Minerva, "I am so sorry—"

"Bill," cried Molly, going to her son, "Oh, Bill!" Remus and I got up from the chairs so they could sit.

Arthur turned to Minerva. "You said Greyback attacked him? But he hadn't transformed? So what does that mean? What will happen to Bill?"

"We don't yet know," Minerva looked at Remus.

"There will probably be some contamination, Arthur," Remus said. "It is an odd case, possibly unique . . . We don't know what his behavior might be like when he awakens . . ."

Arthur looked troubled. "And Dumbledore . . . Minerva is it true . . . Is he really . . . ?" A nod from Minerva made Arthur more upset. "Dumbledore gone."

Molly was crying over Bill. She looked at his mutilated face. "Of course, it doesn't matter how he looks . . . It's not r-really important . . . but he was a very handsome little b-boy . . . always very handsome. . . and he was g-going to be married!"

Fleur narrowed her eyes. "And what do you mean by zat? What do you mean, ''e was going to be married?'"

"Well—only that—" Molly started, but Fleur cut in, outraged.

"You theenk Bill will not wish to marry me anymore? You theenk, because of these bites, he will not love me?"

Molly shook. "No, that's not what I—"

"Because 'e will!" exclaimed Fleur. "It would take more zan a werewolf to stop Bill loving me!"

"Well, yes, I'm sure," said Molly, "But I thought perhaps—given how—how he—"

"You thought I would not weesh to marry him? Or per'aps, you haped?" Fleur was pretty angry. "What do I care how he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat me husband is brave! And I shall do zat!"

Molly paused. "Our Great-Auntie Muriel has a very beautiful tiara—goblin-made—which I am sure I could persuade her to lend you for the wedding. She is very fond of Bill, you know, and it would look lovely with your hair."

"Thank you." said Fleur stiffly, "I am sure zat will be lovely." The two women than started to cry and hug. Myself, however, was starting to get really mad. Fleur didn't care that he was bitten, and why should I? All my emotions from this year just let loose as I turned to Remus.

"You see!" I glared at Remus. "She still wants to marry him, even though he's been bitten! She doesn't care!"

Remus got tense. "It's different. Bill will not be a full werewolf. The cases are completely—"

"But I don't care either, I don't care!" I grabbed his robes and shook him. "I've told you a million times that I love you and I want to be with you forever!"

Remus stared at the floor, not meeting my eyes. "And I've told you a million times, that I am too old for you, too poor . . . too dangerous . . ."

"I've said all along you're taking a ridiculous line on this, Remus." said Molly.

"I am not being ridiculous," said Remus. "Tonks deserves somebody young and whole."

"But she wants you," said Arthur, smiling a little. "And after all, Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so." He looked Bill sadly.

"This is . . . not the moment to discuss it." Remus said, avoiding everybody's eyes. "Dumbledore is dead . . ."

"Dumledore would have been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world," said Minerva curtly as Hagrid walked in.

"I've . . . I've done it, Professor." He said. "M-moved him. Professor Sprout's got the kids back in bed. Professor Flitwick's lyin' down, but he says he'll be all righ' in a jiffy, an' Professor Slughorn says the Ministry's bin informed."

"Thank you Hagrid." said Minerva, getting up. "I shall have to see the Ministry once they get here. Hagrid, please tell the Heads of Houses—Slughorn can represent Slytherin—that I want to see them in my office forthwith. I would like you to join us too."

Hagrid nodded and left. Minerva turned to Harry. "Before I meet them I would like a quick word with you, Harry. If you'll come with me . . ."

Harry said goodbye to his friends and left with Minerva.

I muttered something about being tired and left. I had walked about halfway along the corridor when I heard footsteps behind me.

Remus was there, running to catch up with me.

"Well?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"I was wrong. About everything," he said.

"And?" I asked.

"And I was wondering if maybe you'll forgive me enough to start again." He asked.

"Well . . ." I trailed off, leaving him in suspense. He looked really sorry and I knew that he realized it was better to spend whatever time we had left, together. ". . . I suppose so," I said, smiling.

He grinned and embraced me. It felt so nice to have his arms around me again.