Remus Lupin sat in a torn, beaten armchair in one of the dark,quiet rooms of the Shrieking Shack. He got up and began restlessly walking about the room. He ran his fingers over the deep, gouging claw marks in the ancient wood. His claw marks, reminders of the many long, lonely nights he had spent here. In school, he'd had James, Sirius, and Peter, but now James and Sirius were gone forever and Peter had been allied with Lord Voldemort before the evil wizard's downfall. Remus didn't know where his old friend was now, probably off living as a rat. Lupin's fingers found a circular depression in the wall. Remus remembered that night.

It had been the first full moon since Lily and James had been murdered. Even in his wild state a werewolf, he was overcome with grief and loneliness. He had rammed his head into the wall with all of his strength in his crazed state, creating the dent. Lupin's hand went to his head, and, under his hair, traced the thin scar that the splintering wood had left.

Lupin sank heavily back into the chair, running his hands tiredly through his hair. It was because of the damage he was capable of, the MOSTROSITY he became, that he and Tonks couldn't be together. It wasn't that he didn't love her. Merlin, no, he loved her more than anything in the world! But how could he protect her if he was the greatest danger to her? After all, he was a werewolf! On the night of the full moon, he could not tell if he was attacking a loved one or an enemy.

Lupin rolled up the sleeve of the robes on his right arm. There was a large, white scar his upper arm. He ran his fingers over the ragged bite mark from his childhood. Bits of memories from that night flashed across his mind. Fenrir's blazing yellow eyes, long claws, and maliciously sharp teeth. He remembered the agony in his bleeding arm, and could hear the howling in his head. He recalled staring up at the round full moon and screaming. Other memories piled on top of these. McGonagall informing his parents about the wolfs bane potion. The Womping Willow halting its thrashing when McGonagall touched the knot as base.

He was jerked out of his thoughts as a hand entered his vision to to run its delicate, soft fingertips over the pale scar. Lupin almost started, but looked up to see Tonk's gentle, caring face.

"Is that where..?" Tonk's question trailed off as Lupin nodded solemnly. He stood and put his hands on Tonk's shoulders.

"Nymphadora," He said, looking into her eyes, "How can we be together? I want to protect you, to keep you safe. But I can't, not when I am this dangerous. What will you do on the night of the full moon? How will you be safe?"

Tonks had ignored the use of her first name for Lupin; the look on his face was so pleading and sad.

"Remus, " She answered, smiling caringly, "We will be OK. We can find someone with the wolfs bane potion, and if we can't, you can stay here. I will wait in Hogsmead during the night." She kissed him reassuringly. "Now, speaking of Hogsmead, let's go down and get a drink."

Lupin put his arm around Tonks, smiling gratefully at her.

"What would I ever do without you?" He asked.

Tonks laughed. "You'd either learn to fend for yourself, or I would come back from wherever I am and continue teaching you."

Remus laughed at her comment. She could put a smile on his face at any time. He was so grateful to have her. The two walked down into Hogsmead hand in hand, laughing and talking. Voldemort was gone, and they were together. The world was as it should have been, and was going to stay that way.