Sacrifices of the Heart

Tonks knew there was no use. No matter how beautiful she could make herself, Remus would never love her. Hell, she thought, I could make myself a damn Veela and he would never even look twice at me. And she knew why. It was so obvious- she saw Remus staring at Sirius during dinner, with loving eyes and slow movements. She saw the pain in his eyes when Sirius was going through one of his low points. She saw that Remus' love for Sirius was just as deep and passionate as hers for him.

Near midnight, Tonks sneaked down to the kitchen. She crept silently through the house, the centuries' old layers of dust and her fuzzy slippers muffling the sound of her footsteps. With her luck and grace, she'd probably end up banging into something, and the last thing she wanted to do was wake Mrs. Black at this time of night. She peeked around the doorway to the kitchen and, to her surprise, saw Remus and Sirius standing in the middle of the kitchen having a very quiet but intense discussion. Straining her ears, she desperately tried to hear what they were talking about, but to no avail. The walls held their secrets, as well as her own.

Looking down, she happened to see a very long, flesh-looking string. Wait a second, she thought, Isn't that one of those Extendable Whatsits Fred and George have been using? Smirking, she picked it up and held it to her ear. Suddenly, she could hear Sirius and Remus clear as a bell. Hmmmm, maybe those pranksters have their uses after all....

"Sirius! Calm down! The only reason Dumbledore won't let you go is perfectly clear-you know that! Besides, I don't want you endangering yourself.....You're all I've got left! Please, Sirius!" Remus whispered urgently, a mixture of fear and pleading in his eyes.

"What do you mean by that, Remus?" Sirius questioned.

Startled, Remus looked up into Sirius' eyes.

"Well, I thought you knew....I've always thought of y-you as more than a f-friend..." Remus stammered.

Sirius, who had been edging closer to the door, a look of suspicion on his face, quickly whipped around.

"Do you mean...."

Remus looked straight into Sirius' eyes and whispered quietly, "You're the only one for me. You always have been, and you always will be. I...I love you, Sirius Black."

Sirius reached for Sirius and pulled him to his chest. Slowly, he tilted Remus' chin up and whispered, "I love you too, Remus Lupin."

Suddenly, Tonks' breath hitched as both men leaned in for the most tender and beautiful kiss she had ever seen in her life. It was slow, yet full of desire, releasing years of pent-up frustration and longing. She slowly turned away, sighing. She knew she could never be with Remus.....She was content knowing that he was happy. Because, loving him as she did, his happiness was enough for her....Even if it meant sacrificing her own.

Gripping the Extendable Ear as if it was her last tie to life, she ascended the staircase and crept into her room, resigning herself for another day, another love, and another way to live. Leaving her old love behind, as if leaving her old look behind, she screwed up her eyes in concentration. Yes, she would let Remus have his happiness, while she would look for another happiness of her own. Relaxing, she let herself fall into bed, and weeping softly, she rocked herself to sleep.

fine