I haven't done a One-Shot on here, so I'll have a go. This is a WotcherWolfie fic, set after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Remus sits by Tonks' bed in St. Mungo's, thinking about Sirius. Enjoy!

By My Side

'Is she alright?' asked Remus, as Moody came stumping out of the small room, smiling.

'Aye. She's a tough lass, I always knew that of her,' Moody said, resting a hand on Remus' shoulder. 'She hasn't woken up yet, but the Healers say it shouldn't be too long'.

Remus closed his eyes wearily. He had been dreading hearing those words.

'So she has no idea about Sirius?' he asked, although he already knew the answer.

'Afraid not, laddie. We're not going to tell her yet, though. She'll be in for a few more days, we can tell her tomorrow,' Moody suggested, nodding. He limped off, although Remus could have sworn that his magical eye was fixed on him.

Taking a deep breath, Remus pushed open the blue door. It led into a brilliantly white room, with sunshine filtering through it's magical windows.

Nymphadora Tonks lay in the bed, her eyes closed, her mouse-brown hair framing a pale, almost-white face. Her chest rose and fell steadily beneath the white sheets.

Remus took a seat next to the bed, and gazed down into her face. He rested his hand upon her own, smiling at her warm touch.

'Nymphadora....Tonks,' Remus said, correcting himself hastily as though the unconscious young woman was able to hear him. 'I'm so sorry...for everything that's happened to you. Sirius...you were only eight when he got sent to Azkaban, but I know how much he adored you when you were little. I know how much he adored you this past year. He said we should "hook up", we'd be good for each other. And I don't doubt that, Tonks, and I know that you want it to happen, but it can't. I love you, but I'm too old, too poor and too dangerous. I couldn't support us, living together. And I'm twelve years older than you, Tonks, you deserve someone your own age. The most important one, though, is that I'm a werewolf. I could hurt you, infect you, even kill you, and I would never be able to forgive myself if I knew that I did that to you. I'm sorry'.

Remus felt tears burn his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He sat there for what seemed like hours, stroking Tonks' hair.

He jumped back as her eyelids flickered open, revealing the warm, chocolate-brown eyes underneath.

Remus opened his mouth to speak, but Tonks cut him off before he got the chance.

'Sirius died, didn't he, Remus?' she asked, in a tired, cracked voice.

Unable to say anything, Remus nodded slowly.
'He fell through the veil, Tonks. We couldn't do anything for him, we were all caught up in trying to stay alive. I was battling Dolohov and Rowle, we were all fearing the worst about you, Mad-Eye couldn't move - and it just happened. He fell. Everyone else is alright, Madam Pomfrey patched them all up fantastically. How are you?' he asked, resting a hand on her forehead.

'I can't believe it,' Tonks whispered. 'He...he can't be dead....Remus....'.

But her eyes were closing now, she was obviously tired. Remus smiled sadly and got up to leave.

'I'm sorry, Dora,' he said in a low, hollow voice, watching Tonks drift off to sleep. 'I'm so, so sorry. I love you. I'll always be here...by your side'.

'By my side,' Tonks repeated softly, before her breathing was all that could be heard in the light room.

Well, what do all y'all think? It's my first ever one-shot, so I hope I didn't do too badly!

Lurffing y'all always!
Maddz