Arthur Weasley stood silently in the Great Hall. His family surrounded him as they stood over his dead son. Fred; gone. It was a crushing blow. Arthur would give anything to replace the still body on the floor with his own. He would give anything to have been able to save his son.
The battle was over. Voldemort was dead. And now they could realize the extent of their loss. There were rows upon rows of lifeless bodies in the Great Hall, and even more of the wounded. Looking at the carnage you would never guess that they had indeed been victorious against their attackers.
Arthur felt the tears slide slow and warm down his cheeks. He cried for his son, and for the life he would never live. He cried for his family, for the loss of a brother and child. Through his tears he looked around at his loved ones. Molly, his beloved wife, sat near Fred's still form. There was nothing silent about her grief. Arthur put a hand on her shoulder as she shook with her sobs. George sat on the floor near Fred's head. Arthur was most concerned for Fred's twin as he cried silently. His oldest son, Bill, along with his wife, Fleur, stood near Arthur, holding each other close and grieving for a lost brother. Charlie stood off to one side, lost in his own thoughts. Percy kneeled near George and was crying unashamedly. Arthur was thankful that Percy had rejoined the family before Fred had died. Ron stood in the circle surrounding Fred with Hermione Granger, close to Harry Potter and Arthur's youngest child, Ginny. All were obviously mourning the loss of brother and friend. Even as Arthur cried for his son, he offered up silent thanks that it hadn't been worse. He knew he would grieve for his child every day of his life, but at least everyone else was safe. It could have been even more devastating.
Arthur turned and looked outside of the circle of family. Near the doors to the Great Hall stood Kingsley Shacklebolt and Professors McGonagall and Flitwick. They were probably discussing the aftermath of the battle and plans for the immediate future. Arthur thought about joining them. The Order would need all the help they could get in the weeks to come, but for now he would stay with his family. This was their time to grieve, and life would move on all too quickly.
Arthur's gaze traveled away from the living and back to the dead. So many defenders had lost their lives in the battle. There were nearly fifty students lying lifeless on the floor, as well as some parents and Order members. Arthur looked sadly at one couple a little ways from Fred. Remus and Nymphadora Lupin looked peaceful and at rest. If Arthur hadn't known better, he would have guessed they were sleeping. Unfortunately, this was not the case. When searching the castle for causalities, Arthur and Bill had found them in a small courtyard on the grounds. The pair had been lying side by side on the stone pavement with their hands clasped tightly together. Rather than sever a connection that death could not break, Arthur and Bill had levitated them together to the castle.
War is a terrible thing, Arthur decided as he gazed at the bodies and people around him. It claimed those far too young to die, he looked towards his son, and it took those that had finally found happiness, he looked back towards Remus and Tonks. Arthur stared into their faces for several seconds. Were they together now?
Arthur drew a sharp breath. That wasn't possible. He had thought that while looking at Remus, he had seen him move. Barely noticeable, just the flutter of an eyelash, but still Arthur thought he had seen it. He shook his head and blinked his eyes. Surely it was his tears and his grief that had caused him to imagine something like that. They were dead. And once dead, people tended to stay that way.
Maybe they had been wrong when they thought him dead. Arthur watched carefully and again saw the smallest of movements on Remus' face. It didn't seem possible, but he would not begrudge them life if they could have it. Slowly, Arthur made his way over to where they lay. He knelt beside Remus. His family noticed his departure, and some of the boys followed him.
"Dad, what is it?" asked Bill as he and Fleur came closer to where Arthur knelt.
"I thought…" Arthur stopped as he realized how ridiculous it sounded. He couldn't just tell them he thought he had seen the dead man move. "Never mind. It was nothing." But still he stayed near the two bodies. Most of the Weasley family had come over now. They all wanted to pay their last respects to these friends too.
It was silent as they stood in the crowded hall. Then there was a small gasp as Remus' brow furrowed ever so slightly, as if he was concentrating very hard.
"I saw that," Hermione whispered. "I saw him move."
Soon everyone had see small flickers of movement on Remus' face. It seemed that he might be alive. It looked to Arthur like he was trying with all his might to wake up.
***
Wake up. Wake up. He had to wake up. Dora needed him. Teddy needed him. He didn't deserve them, but he had to protect them. Remus focused all his willpower on opening his eyes. If he could just open his eyes, then it would all be fine. He would be awake. He would be alive.
Harder and harder he tried to make his eyes open. A few times he thought that he caught glimpses of light, but that could easily be his imagination. It didn't seem to be working. He was still trapped in this dark world. Giving up seemed easier. But he would not give up. He would fight to return to his loved ones forever if he must. Wake up, he told himself firmly. He thought of his wife and child, and of all the people he cared about. He would see them again. He would wake up. He would live.
Once again, Remus concentrated on opening his eyes, a movement that had once seemed so insignificant and easy. He would never take it for granted again. Now. Remus forced all his energy into this one action. Slowly a point of light appeared in front of him. His eyes opened a crack before he blinked them shut against the brightness. No, he wanted the brightness. He wanted the light. Remus kept his eyes open, but he could do little more than squint as he gazed into the light.
***
Arthur stared in astonishment as Remus gingerly opened his eyes. He blinked several times and squinted up at them. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, as well as Kingsley Shacklebolt and grounds keeper, Rubeus Hagrid, had gathered around after Charlie had beckoned to them from across the Hall. Molly, George, and Percy still sat with Fred but were watching from off to the side, and the rest of his family stood or knelt beside him as they stared at Remus' confused face. He was alive. There was no doubt now. Remus Lupin had rejoined the ranks of the living. Everyone seemed to hold his or her breath, as if afraid that one false move would send him back to the grave.
***
Eventually, Remus' eyes began to adjust to the sudden brightness. He could make out blurred shapes and faces hovering over him. Was he dreaming, or was he really here? The curse that had hit him was not the telltale green of Avada Kedevra, so he was not dead. Remus had never heard of a black curse before. Perhaps it was meant to trap him in a world of his own. That was certainly what had happened to him. He had been trapped, but not killed.
Finally, after much blinking, Remus was able to see around him. He saw nearly all the Weasleys gathered close, as well as some of the Hogwarts professors and members of the Order. The only one he didn’t see was the face he was looking for. Remus looked around and tried to sit up. Where was she? Dora had to be here somewhere. She had to be all right. As he became more conscious of his surroundings he became aware of another hand clutched tightly in his. He slowly turned and looked.
***
Remus was now gazing straight at Arthur. He was still lying on the ground, but had managed to raise himself up slightly. His eyes moved from one face to another. Arthur remained silent, but the joy at seeing his friend alive grew ever stronger.
Arthur looked at the others around him. All looked happy, but no one spoke. It was as if one word would break the spell. Molly was smiling and crying, tears not of grief, but of happiness. Arthur knew that she would hug Remus at the first opportunity, but for now no one moved.
Remus' gaze searched everyone's face, but he continued to look about him. It must be quite an experience, waking from the dead, Arthur mused. But Arthur doubted now that Remus had ever been dead at all. He had seen too much death to think that it could be so easily reversed.
Remus seemed to be searching for something. Someone. Then Arthur realized what was happening. The joy inside him turned to sorrow for his friend. Remus was looking for his wife, just as Arthur would be doing in the same circumstances. Arthur watched Remus turn, and wished that he could save him from seeing the truth.
***
Remus looked down at his hand. In it, their fingers intertwined, was a smaller, more delicate hand. It felt fragile under his callused and scarred one. He stared at the fingernails, which were a bright pink color. His mind was uncomprehending for a moment, and then he realized whose hand this was. Then Remus spoke his first word after returning from the darkness.
"No," he croaked. No, it couldn't be. He must be wrong. Slowly, Remus' eyes traveled up to the face of the woman whose hand he held. He was not mistaken. There next to him laid his wife. Dora looked peaceful. Her eyes were closed, and by all appearances she could have been asleep.
No, she couldn't be gone. He needed her. He loved this woman more than life itself, and she was his reason to keep living. For a moment, Remus wanted to return to the darkness and what lay beyond it. If that's where she was. But then he thought of their son. Teddy would need someone to protect and raise him. Remus loved his child, but he wondered if he would be able to carry on alone.
***
Arthur saw pure anguish on Remus' face. His worst nightmare had been confirmed. He was alone. Arthur thought he had never seen something so heart wrenching. It seemed that he had realized what was coming a split second before the other spectators. He heard a soft gasp and muffled crying from those around him as Remus stared into Tonks' lifeless face.
"No."
That one word sent shivers down Arthur's spine. It was spoken by a man who was truly suffering.
***
Remus felt like his heart had been ripped out of his body. Dora was gone. He was alone. He felt as if part of him was dead, the very best part. Remus began to cry as he lay holding his wife. He barely noticed the others' presence. He had thought that she would be okay. He had come back for her. He should have protected her from her aunt. He should have told her he loved her more often. He should have married her when he first fell in love. He shouldn't have gotten himself killed. But, he wasn't dead. He was here in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It wasn't a memory; it was real. But it was too much to hope for. To hope that she too might return to him. Might escape the darkness and enter the light. Remus did hope that. He hoped and prayed that his rationalizing mind was wrong. He wished with all his soul that she would return.
***
Arthur watched the sad picture before him. The grief that had momentarily been pushed to the side of his mind at Remus' awakening was now front and center. This was almost worse than when they had both been dead. Teddy would now have a father, but Remus had come back to a shattered world. Arthur couldn't help but imagine what he would feel, had it been him in Remus' shoes. He now knew the pain of losing a child, but he was sure that losing Molly would kill him. Arthur again sent thanks heavenward for the remaining members of his family.
Arthur saw his family shift awkwardly around him. Everyone was wondering were to go and what to do. Remus was alive. But Tonks was dead. There was nothing they could do. Should they give Remus privacy as he wept for his wife, or should they offer comfort?
Arthur saw tears stream down Hermione and Fleur's faces. Professor McGonagall clutched a tartan handkerchief to her mouth. Ginny was biting her lip and the tears had welled up in her eyes. Hagrid sobbed into a tablecloth-sized handkerchief, his massive tears creating a puddle on the floor. Professor Flitwick and Ron were both wiping at their eyes, and Charlie had turned away. Molly was sobbing quietly into Percy's shoulder as he tried to comfort her. George's face was completely blank and desolate. Harry stood staring at Remus and his pain was reflected in his green eyes. It seemed that there was no hope.
***
Remus fixed his eyes on Dora's face. He couldn't look away. He wasn't sure what would hurt more, being unable to look away or actually doing it. It felt like it would break his last connection with his wife. Remus' tears so obscured his vision that he almost missed the movement on her face. The flicker of an eyelash and nothing more. Remus was sure that it was his imagination. It was what he so desperately wanted to see. Surely he was deluding himself. But then it came again, the slight flutter of her eyelashes in the air. Remus held his breath.
***
Arthur was about to turn away and give privacy to the grieving man before him, when he saw the shadow of movement on Tonks' face. Could it be? Did he dare hope? For Remus' sake he did hope. Again, the flicker of life flashed across her face. Her eyelashes had moved, as if she was trying to open her eyes. Arthur noticed that the rest of the Hall had grown silent. Everyone was watching the internal battle of Remus and Tonks. One against their emotions, and one against the clutches of whatever curse held her.
***
Was she opening her eyes? Remus had to remind himself to breath, and this he did as quietly as possible. He didn't want to do anything to send her back to the world of darkness. Her eyelashes fluttered again and she frowned slightly with concentration. Remus' heart pounded in his chest. Would she live? Yes, she had to. And he would be here for her when she woke up.
***
Slowly, ever so slowly, her eyes opened. Tonks blinked and squinted against the intense light. It was so bright, but so much better than the darkness. Did it work? Was she back? She seemed to be lying on the floor, never a good thing, but she didn’t seem to be dead. Then again she had never seen that flash of green that should have ended it. The curse had been black, hadn’t it? Had she been asleep all this time? Tonks wasn’t sure what sort of nightmare she had just been through, she only hoped it was over.
Tonks blinked again and she was able to make out faces above her. There were people there, but she couldn't see who they were. As her eyes adjusted, far too slowly for her taste, she was able to identify the face directly above her. She saw him and nothing else mattered. He was here. He was alive. Or they were both dead. But it didn't matter, so long as they were together, although she would prefer being alive. Yes, they were alive.
Her eyes were beginning to focus now. Yes, there were others there. Their bright red hair identified most of them as Weasleys, but Tonks had eyes for only one person there. His face was directly over hers and she smiled up at him. "Remus," she whispered. He gave a smile full of obvious relief and love. And then he leaned down to kiss her.
***
After what seemed like an eternity, Dora's eyes opened. Remus again held his breath as she stared unseeing up at him. Then he saw her eyes adjust and recognition sparked behind them. She barely glanced at the others before staring into his eyes. Love and joy filled Remus as he gazed into her brown eyes. Then she smiled at him, and Remus thought that his heart had stopped again. She whispered his name and he knew that it was real. They were alive. They were together. It would be okay. He smiled at her, and then he leaned down to kiss her.
***
Arthur felt his face split into a smile. They were both alive. How? He may never know, but they were here and that's what mattered. Everyone was smiling now as Remus and Tonks kissed. Some of their audience looked amazed while others just looked relieved. Many of the women along with Hagrid were still crying, tears of happiness now. And Molly was smiling through her tears.
"It's a miracle," Professor McGonagall said around her handkerchief.
Arthur's smile grew wider. It was indeed.
Tonks broke off the kiss and suddenly looked fearful. "Bellatrix Lestrange," she gasped. "We have to find her. She's going to kidnap Teddy." The terror was evident in her voice, and Remus tensed at this dark prediction.
Arthur stepped forward. "Don't worry," he assured them. "Bellatrix is…."
"Dead." Molly finished his sentence for him. "She won't be hurting anyone ever again." Molly would know; it had been her that sent the fatal curse at Bellatrix Lestrange.
Arthur saw relief cross Tonks' face, as well as a look he recognized as disappointment that it hadn't been her to finish off her aunt.
"Does that mean it's over then?" Remus asked.
"Yes," Arthur replied. "It's all over."
***
Remus stood shakily to his feet and reached out a hand to help up Tonks. She took his hand and didn't let go even when she stood beside him. It was over. Tonks didn't know what that would mean for her family, but she knew that the world, both Wizarding and Muggle would be safer. She didn't think that it was possible to feel any happier. You-Know-Who was gone and she was here. With Remus. The danger was gone, and they were safe. As an Auror she knew that evil would always return, but Tonks knew that with Remus she was always safe. Ignoring everyone around her, she turned to her husband.
"I love you," she whispered. There was so much she wanted to tell him, but this was the most important. She had fought for him, and sometimes with him, to make him part of her life. And now she had fought against the darkness to return to him. Tonks would never take his love for granted again. She smiled as his amber eyes found hers.
***
Remus smiled at his wife. How he loved this woman. She was his world. It constantly amazed him that she loved him too. For years he had thought himself unlovable and had distanced himself from relationships. Now he thought he must be the very luckiest man in the world. Voldemort was gone forever, and they were both alive. Life wouldn't get easier. He was still a werewolf, but they'd proven that together they could deal with that. Together they could deal with anything.
"And I love you," he whispered back. He was completely oblivious to the group of onlookers. He had eyes only for Dora. There was so much he wanted to tell her, but this was the first. He would never miss an opportunity to say it again. Remus again leaned in close to kiss her.
***
As if on unspoken orders the spectators started to move away. There would be time enough later to talk with Remus and Tonks. Arthur let out a deep breath as the group dispersed. He walked over to his own wife and put an arm around her shoulders. Both he and Molly glanced back to where Remus and Tonks stood holding each other in the middle of the Great Hall. Looking around the room, he thought of all of the lessons it taught him. War was terrible. Life was precious. And miracles could happen.
***
Out of the Darkness by phoenix_song197
Chapter Notes: This chapter should make it perfectly obvious that I am not J.K. Rowling.
Chapter Endnotes: Thanks for reading!! Let me know what you think in a review!