I don't own it, JK Rowling and various others do.

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'I don't care.'

That was all she said to him, no matter what argument he used. He was too old; she didn't care. He was too poor; she didn't care. He was too dangerous; she didn't care. She'd told him a million times; she didn't care. It was like persuading an over-tired four year old it was time for bed.

The others were no help either. Arthur Weasley; solid, dependable Arthur Weasley had just taken her side, saying that he had been 'taking a ridiculous line all along.'

They were stood in the hospital wing; around Bill Weasley's bed where his fiancée was treating the wounds he had received fighting Fenrir Greyback. Dumbledore had been killed less than an hour before. This was not the time to talk about love.

Then, even Professor McGonagall had supported her. McGonagall, who had been old when he was young, was talking about Dumbledore and saying he would he 'happier than anybody that there was a little more love in the world'.

Even when they left the hospital wing, she had not given up, and pulled him in to a darkened alcove to continue their conversation.

'Remus, can't you see? I love you; that's all that's important. I love you, and more than anything in the world I want to be with you.'

'Dora, we've been through all this before. To marry me would mean you risking everything you have; your family, your job, your future.'

'I don't care, can't you see that?' She was looking at him in hopeless desperations and, for a strong minded, sassy, independent woman she suddenly seemed a small, vulnerable child. He felt his heart melting as he looked at her and forced himself to turn away before he crumbled.

'Dora, I will never ask you to marry me.'

'Then you leave me no choice, Remus.' She certainly didn't look small and vulnerable as she went down on one knee, taking his hand.

'Dora? What are you doing? Get up.' There was a hint of panic in his eyes.

'Will you marry me, Rumus?'

'Get up, please. What are you doing?'

'I'm proposing to you, Remus.'

'This isn't…you can't…you're not supposed…'

'Why not? Because I'm a woman? Because it isn't the twenty-ninth of February? I love you, and I want to be with you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me, Remus Lupin?'

It was the ultimate closed question. There was only one of two words he could say.

If he accepted, he would condemn her to a life on the edge. He would never find work; he could never afford to keep her. She would be shunned, as he was shunned, by the majority of society. Perhaps even her own family would cast her out. If he loved her, truly loved her, how could he be responsible for that?

But, if he refused, what then? She would accept his answer, he knew that. She would go away and try to rebuild her life, and he would never be able to see her again. Could he do that, especially at a time like this? He knew her patronus had changed; changed to him. She had lost her ability to metamorphose; her hair was now a mouse brown rather than the pink he was used to. He had done that to her; he had drained her of her powers at the time she most needed them. He was affecting her ability to survive.

'Yes.'

She threw herself at him, pulling him in to a hug whilst wearing the biggest smile he had ever seen; her hair turned to a vivid, shocking pink. It was fortunate she could not see his face; his expression was only one of resignation.

-o0o-

They returned to her room in Hogsmeade; she had been stationed there with other aurors all year to provide additional security to the school. He had only come up that day following a summons to the Order of the Phoenix from Dumbledore.

The room she had been given was small and cramped; containing only a bed, chair, wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside cabinet. She went in before him and started scrabbling around picking up clothes that were scattered everywhere. He saw several small lacy items being whipped out of sight, and turned his eyes away. Blushing slightly, she indicated that he should sit in the chair, whilst she sat herself on the edge of the bed.

For a couple who had, on what was effectively their first date, just got engaged; they found talking difficult. She sat looking at the floor, twirling a piece of hair between her fingers. He sat, looking at the ceiling and drumming his fingers lightly on the arms of the chair. He was the first to speak.

'Dora, there's something important I have to tell you.'

'Yes?' She scanned his face intently.

'You missed a pair of knickers; they're by the bedside cabinet.'

As ice-breakers go, it was a pretty good one. She hastily kicked her lingerie out of sight, under the bed.

'I will get better, you know. I'll learn all the household spells and cleaning charms, and…that thing you do with dirty dishes.'

He looked confused for a moment. 'Washing up?'

Yes, that's it…' her face looked doubtful 'isn't it? Or is that clothes?'

'No, that's just "washing", I think.' He smiled at her as she looked abashed, and held out his arms. 'Come here.'

She came to sit on his lap; resting her head on his shoulder.

'Oh, Dora, we're going to have so many problems.'

'I know, Remus. We've got to find somewhere to live, and buy food, and do the…dishes and clothes things. Just like any other couple.'

'But it will be so much harder for us, for you. I'll never have money, never have a job. Up until now the Order has been providing a little…funding, but I don't know what will happen now. I can't keep you.'

She looked at him, her face hard. 'I'm not some little woman, you know. I've got a job, a good one, and I'm going to keep it. I can earn enough for both of us.'

'You mean, I stay at home?'

'Why not? You know the difference between washing and washing up. Why not, Remus? You're the liberal, the intelligent one. This isn't the nineteenth century, you know. In fact, it might be easier when you have your 'she broke off in to a giggle '…time of the month.'

It was his turn to look serious now. 'You know how dangerous I am then, don't you? I'm not just me with fur. You can't be near me, at all; I won't know who you are. I'll attack if I get the chance.'

'I know. I know that. We'll find you somewhere safe, and I'll leave you alone. Remus, none of it is insurmountable; we'll work it out. When do you think we should get married?

'What do you want to do? Shall we wait?'

'No. As soon as possible. We can go and tell my parents; after the funeral.'

He slept in the chair that night, somewhat uncomfortably. She offered to share the bed with him, but he decided not to; not until they were married.

-o0o-

He stayed in her room most of the time. There were Ministry people, including the Minister himself, up at the school and he wanted to stay clear of them. Most werewolves had gone over to Voldemort, so all were tarred with the same brush. She, of course, had to work her allotted shifts.

They walked up to the school together on the day of the funeral, holding hands. This was not so much a statement of their status, but merely a comfort; Dumbledore had been important to both of them. He had been the only one to give Lupin a job; a chance to earn his living and hold his head up. Lupin had enjoyed that year at Hogwarts, and had thought he was a good teacher. Perhaps, one day, when things were better he could try again.

Tonks also had a great deal of respect for her old Headmaster. He was one of the few who had seen past the clumsy, rather shy, exterior to the true potential underneath. She had wondered if he had pulled some strings to get her on to auror training; her NEWT results had been adequate rather than exceptional.

Although they had not meant to draw attention to themselves, they saw Harry Potter look over to them and smile slightly, and Mad-eye Moody had growled 'About time too' as they walked past him.

They sat next to each other during the service, looking out over the lake. Like many current and former pupils, they had found this view a balm during difficult periods in their lives and it eased them now as it had eased so many in the past.

Once it was over, Tonks prepared to go to Hogsmeade station. She would be riding back on the train with the other aurors to keep guard over the children. Lupin would make his own way back to London. They found a quiet out of the way corner in which to make their plans and say goodbye.

'So, I'll see you Sunday? About two o'clock?'

'Dora, what if your parents won't support us? I can't be the cause of a family split. Families are too important.'

She took him in her arms. 'They won't, honestly. They broke the rules themselves. They know how important love is.' She leaned forward, and their lips met. Suddenly, everything else faded in to insignificance. They had each other, they were in love. That was all that was important.

'HA!' They leapt apart and Moody came round the corner, with a huge grin on his face. 'Useful things, magic eyes! You going to marry her, boy?'

'Yes, Alastor, I am.'

'Well, you make damn sure you look after her properly. She's my favourite pupil, and I won't have anybody playing the fool with her. You hear me?'

He gave Tonks an enormous hug. 'I'm pleased for you Tonks, very pleased. I hope you'll be happy.' Then he shook Lupin by the hand. 'Remember what I said boy; I'll be keeping my eye on you.' He strode off, laughing at his own joke.

'After him my parents will be a piece of cake, Remus.'

'Oh, I hope so.' He kissed her once more. 'Go on, back to work. I'll see you Sunday.'

She ran off, turning to wave goodbye as she rounded the corner. Unfortunately, this got her feet tangled up and she tripped over. Jumping up she gave him a grin and a last wave, and then disappeared.

Remus stood there, smiling and shaking his head. 'I've got this for the rest of my life! Oh brother!'