PROLOGUE: In the Department of Mysteries

Remus watches her fall, her eyes closed and her hair morphed back into a limp mousey brown. Bellatrix Lestrange is standing on top of her, her eyes wide, vicious, victorious as she laughs in a shrieking sound. Auntie Bella is coming for you, Little Nymphie, she had said, her voice still ringing in Remus' ears as he continues to shoot stun spells to Death Eaters, looking around to ensure that Harry and the rest of the kids are under the wings of the Order members. He occasionally shoots glances at Nymphadora Tonks, whom he sees is being revived by Mad-eye. He breathes a sigh of relief as he continues to fight off Death Eaters.

"Avada Kedavra!" he hears Bellatrix chant, as soon as Sirius Black had stunned Lucius Malfoy until he is thrown against the wall. Remus is quick, as he casted a shield charm from the killing curse, and Harry had casted a stun to Bellatrix, who is thrown against the wall. Remus looks back at Harry and gives him a small smile, but not without seeing a light from the Death Eater's wand-a spell, or a curse, whichever- hit Sirius as he runs towards his little cousin still being revived by Mad-eye. He falls forward on the floor, limp and unmoved.

"No!" Harry shouts as he runs after the Death Eater, who had exited the Department of Mysteries. Remus stares in shock, and curses himself as he kneels beside his best friend, his fellow Marauder.

He feels a hand touch him on the shoulder to find Kingsley Shacklebolt standing above him. "Let me." he says. Remus shakes his head.

"Is he dead?" he asks, putting his hand over Sirius' chest, he cannot feel a heartbeat, or any pulse. He looks at his friend's face-so peaceful with his eyes closed and his curly black hair sprawled on the floor.

"We'll take him to St. Mungo's," Kingsley tells him. "As with Tonks. Can you check if she is alive?"

Remus stands, his legs shaking but nonetheless, he runs towards Nymphadora, who is still lying on the floor, with Mad-eye beside her, his head bowed. Remus' heart starts beating fast as he kneels beside Mad-eye, gently tucking Nymphadora's mousey brown hair behind her ear and stroking her forehead with his finger.

"Is she...is she alive?" He is almost afraid to ask, not knowing what he would feel if Mad-eye would say-

"She's alive," he replies in his gruff voice. "Take care of her, will ya? We'll take her to St. Mungo's, after I check on Black. I told him he should never have come. That man never listens." He grumbles as he stands up. Remus breathes a sigh of relief as he gently adjusts her position so her head is resting on his lap. He wipes the blood coming from the gash on her head and leans down to kiss her forehead softly.

"Nymphadora," he whispers. "Can you hear me? Please open your eyes."

He hears soft and small whimpers from her and he pulls his head back to watch her as she flutters her eyes open, putting a hand on her head. She opens her eyes and looks at her hand, which is now covered in her own blood. She looks up to meet Remus' blue eyes and she attempts a smile.

"Wotcher," she croaks. "I fell pretty badly, didn't I?"

Remus chuckles. "I believe you did, worse than waking up Mrs. Black's portrait." Nymphadora attempts a laugh, but later winces. "What is it, Nymphadora? Where does it hurt?"

"Don't...call me Nymphadora, Remus." she tells him weakly. "My...ribs hurt, arm, head." Her eyes start to close but Remus gently strokes the side of her head with his fingers, shushing her, and effectively making her flutter her eyes open again.

"Stay with me, Tonks, stay with me." Remus tells her softly. "We'll take you to St. Mungo's, along with…"

She watches as his eyes fall down and fail to meet hers. She reaches for his face, guiding him to face her. "Did someone else get hurt? What about the kids?"

"Harry and the others are fine, they're fine." he replies. "But...Sirius…"

Nymphadora's stormy grey eyes, those that mirror Sirius', begin to fill with tears. "Remus, is he dead?"

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