Title: Adoring Nymphadora
Author: Pheo
Rating: T
Spoilers: Yes
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: I'm hoping to write two companion pieces: this one, and "Moony Over Moony." But we'll see how that goes.
Sirius Black laughed maniacally, sputtering butterbeer all over the kitchen table at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. "So then old Snivellus was hanging upside-down, his bloody underpants there for all to see—and let me tell you, they were the most gray, filthy things--"
Remus Lupin shook his head, not bothering to look up from his book. He had heard this story too many times—and, in fact, had witnessed the very event himself. While he would not deprive Sirius from any pleasures he might partake—especially these days—he certainly didn't want to encourage him, either, especially since the Order was to convene shortly for a meeting, and the Severus Snape was likely to attend. He simply reached for his favorite mug from the cupboard—the green one, with the fewest chips—and started to pour tea into it when he heard the oddest sound.
It was a tinkling, feminine laughter.
Sirius was definitely not entertaining Mundugus Fletcher tonight.
Remus could see Mundugus now, actually—asleep, as usual, in the corner, with a haggard cloak draped over his form. Slowly, he turned, and saw that the oddest sound was accompanied by an even odder sort of creature.
It was a woman, of course—but she certainly didn't look like any woman he'd ever seen, especially a woman who belonged to the Order of the Phoenix. Her hair spiked up around her ears elfishly, and it was the loudest, most…pink… shade of… pink… he'd ever encountered. Her elbows were bent upon the old table as she leaned forward to listen to Sirius's every word, and there were more holes in her Muggle pants than there were threads. Her eyes were wide and riveted in her heart-shaped face, and he counted at least three piercings in the ear he could see. Her small pink mouth laughed heartily, openly, and when she saw him looking at her, she gave an impish grin. "Wotcher."
She was the loveliest thing he'd ever seen.
"Moony!" Sirius shouted, as if he hadn't just seen him hours ago. "Meet my little cousin, Nympha--"
"Don't call me that, Sirius!" Suddenly, the sprite was an Amazon, rising up to her full height in her chair.
"—dora Tonks," Sirius continued as if she hadn't said a word. "Tonks, this is Remus Lupin."
Remus swallowed, prepared for the worst. He absolutely hated introductions—especially since teaching at Hogwarts had left his condition so public. He hadn't made a new friend, aside from comrades in the Order, since his before his teaching days.
But he quickly found that this woman was full of surprises. She grabbed his hand and began shaking it immediately. "Remus Lupin! Sirius has told me so much about you. And I've heard so many tales from your former students."
He felt his face grow warm. "Yes, well, you mustn't believe all that you hear. It's nice to meet you, Nym--"
She dropped his hand immediately. "Please, don't call me Nymphadora, Remus. It's just Tonks. Wouldn't you hate to go by that dreadful name? Honestly, what was my mother thinking?"
Remus smiled to himself, thinking that the name suited her very much. "So how did you join the Order, Tonks?"
"Kingsley recruited me," she replied.
"So you're an Auror, then? That must be exciting." Remus was becoming more interested in this unusual young woman by the minute.
Tonks scowled. "Not so much for us newbies. Mostly paperwork—and I can tell you, that daft Umbridge woman can really pass it out if she's got you on her list. And of course she's got me on it, as unnatural--"
"Umbridge?" Remus felt his stomach turn.
"Yes, I'd imagine you hate her too," Tonks noted absently. "Anyway, she's always--"
"Just a moment," Remus stopped her. "I must have missed something. Why would I—I mean, I do, no doubt—but why would you think that I dislike the woman?"
Her eyebrows lifted. "Oh, because of the werewolf decrees." She peered at him closely. "That's why, isn't it?"
Sirius ducked his head over his butterbeer, and Remus had the distinct feeling that he was covering a snort.
"Yes," Remus said slowly. "I just—I was surprised…" He shook his head and almost laughed. "I'm sorry, do go on."
She shrugged. "So every time she zips anything my way, it's always down to the very last piece of parchment—you know, no short cuts or anything—and I can just see the cogs in her disturbed little mind: 'That'll teach the despicable changeling!' Of course, I always use purple or green or pink ink so it confounds the toad even more--"
"Sorry," Remus held out a hand. He felt like he had walked into the middle of a film and had missed the entire beginning. "Changeling?"
This time, Tonks smacked herself on the forehead. "Forgive me, Remus. I feel like I already know so much about you but you don't know anything about me, do you?" She laughed a little, and her eyes shifted to mirror the color and likeness of his own.
He did a double-take, and peered more closely. He hadn't seen her do any spell work...
She rolled her eyes, and Sirius snickered again. Irritated, Remus said, "What is it?"
This time, Tonks scrunched up her face, and suddenly her hair was long and black; it looked exactly like Sirius's.
"You're a Metamorphogus." Remus couldn't conceal the awe in his own voice.
"Yup. So, as you can see, old Umbridge has it in for me, too—since I'm, you know, a freak of nature and all." She grinned widely at him and winked, as if it couldn't please her more that she was a freak of nature.
Hestia Jones entered the room, followed soon after by Mad-Eye Moody, and the room was quickly filled with Order members. They gathered at the table to begin, and as Remus sat in rapt attention, he found his eyes wandering—for the first time during a meeting—to the young Auror on his right.
