This is so addicting! For my THIRD fic in no less than three days, I'm going to attempt something longer than a oneshot.
Summary: Remus/Tonks centric, but all the old favourites will be making an appearance. Begins at the start of HP and the Prisoner Of Azkaban and subsequently becomes AU. Tonks is on a mission at Hogwarts.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to J K Rowling.
Author's Note: Bet you're sick of hearing from me? Well, here goes number three...Hope you enjoy it! Comments and criticism very welcome. :)
Nymphadora Tonks and the Wolf Professor
"Aaaargh!"
The mess of violet spikes protruding from Tonk's large quilt swore violently as a moving model of the Weird Sister's lead singer proded her sharply in the back with its guitar whilst belting "Good Morning Sunshine" at the top of its voice.
"Stupid wake-up alarms!" she grumbled, as a hand shot out and grabbed her wand and she blasted the tiny figure away.
Tugging the quilt tighter around herself, she snuggled back down. A few moments later she was startled awake again by a loud thump and a piercing screech, ending with a soft "plop", as something landed against her feet. She grudgingly rolled over and accepted the letter from her owl, Picklewick, who had begun to peck his way up her bed. Unfolding the parchment, she read:
Nymphadora Tonks (she groaned),
Get up, now!
As your supervisor, I shouldn't have to remind you that today is a vitally important day! Today you begin your infiltration of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Minister is in enough of a state as it is with Black on the loose and Potter running away last week. The last thing he needs is you compromising your mission by missing the train!
Be at platform nine and three-quarters at eleven o'clock promt to begin your surveillance of Potter. You are very lucky to have been entrusted with an important task for your first mission. In my opinion, too important to be given to an irresponsible young girl. Prove me wrong!
Remember Nymphadora, I'm always watching!
Alastor Moody
The second groan at the mention of her first name was overtaken by a wail of panic as she glanced at the clock in the hand of the tiny figurine she had blasted to the floor earlier.
"10:30! Bugger!"
Tripping over her own feet as she stumbled to her wardrobe, she grapled for a pair of trousers. For lack of anything else, she made do with the old pair of jeans she found stuffed in the corner on the bottom shelf. Then, retrieving last night's robe from the floor, she stumbled over to her regulation Hogwarts case, marvelling at her ingenious instinct to pack the night before. Grabbing hold of the case, and her broom which lay nearby, she apparated to Paddington Station, shouting to Picklewick to meet her at Hogwarts. Tonks crashed through the barrier to platform nine and three quarters at ten fifty-nine, and barely made it onto the Hogwarts Express as the whistle blew and the train sped away.
She located Harry's compartment without too much difficulty, and grinned brightly as she slid open the compartment door. She had morphed her features to appear younger, but she kept them as her own, so she wasn't surprised when their eyebrows raised as they took in the vivid violet of her short, spiky hair.
Scanning quickly, she took in the occupants of the carriage. She recognised Harry immediately, although she'd obviously never met him before in person. To his right was a gangly boy whose red hair was almost as shocking as hers. To his left sat a girl with bushy brown hair and an air of importance. And finally, in the far corner of the carriage a man was slumped against the window, dozing. He looked about ten years older than her, and rather wear-worn, with tatty robes. But Tonks barely registered these details, as she chuckled inwardly at the fact he was sleeping. Stifling a yawn, she wished she could be doing the same. However, she had a mission to attend to. So she widened the cheery grin plastered to her face and addressed the half of the compartment that wasn't snoring,
"Wotcher, I'm Tonks! I'm new, this is my first year at Hogwarts. Do you mind if I sit in here?"
"Are you a first year?" The red haired boy looked a little surprised.
"Nah. I'm joining in the third year. I only just found out I'm a witch, and Professor Dumbledore was kind enough to make a special exception."
"Tonks?" The bushy haired girl was still eyeing her hair appraisingly. "Is that really your name?"
Tonks gave a genuine chuckle. "Well everyone calls me Tonks. And you'llnever know my real name, so don't even bother asking" she winked, and continued, "So can I sit here?"
"Yeah of course" Harry nodded. "I'm Harry" he said, and everyone waited for the inevitable recognition...When Tonks merely smiled, Ron asked increduously "Haven't you heard of him? Harry? Harry Potter?"
"Oh yeah, I think I read something..the one who thwarted You-Know-Who wasn't it?" Inwardly berating herself for forgetting to feign amazement at meeting Harry Potter, Tonks tried to cover up her mistake. "Nice one there, good job Harry" She winked again and took a seat between the sleeping man and the girl, who was now talking quickly, introducing the rest of the group.
"I'm Hermione Granger, this is Ronald Weasley."
"It's Ron!" The red haired boy interrupted, blushing violently and shooting her a glare.
Hermione continued unperterbed, "And this appears to be Professor R J Lupin, although we don't know what he teaches yet. But we think it'sgot to be Defence Against The Dark Arts because as far as we know, that's the only vacancy. Have you read the books for this year? It's going to be awfully difficult for you to catch up on three years of school..."
Tonks zoned out as Hermione continued to chatter, apparently to herself,since the other two had begun a game of exploding snap. She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, hoping to follow the example of the mystery professor and get a bit of rest before they arrived. She was just beginning to doze off, when a sharp squeal of breaks and several frightened screams shot through her relaxation, making her shudder. Alarmed, her eyes sprang open. The carriage was pitch black...
