Chapter 1 – The order of the phoenix
Hi everyone! So I haven't written a fanfiction in years! So sorry if I'm a bit rusty but I've been reading harry potter through for the millionth time and I just love the Tonks X Lupin relationship and they just don't get enough airtime in the film and they aren't mentioned enough in the books in my opinion. So I thought I would have a go at writing their story as close to the books as I can. A lot is obviously left to interpretation but this is just my take. I hope you like it and I will try to update as often as possible however as a uni student, I should probably make sure I focus on essays and stuff as well. Enjoy
Work was becoming more and more stressful these days. I always knew a job as an Auror was going to be challenging and don't get me wrong, I love my job, but recently I feel there has been a whole lot of focus on keeping the rumours that you-know-who has returned out of the eyes of the public and not a lot of actually trying to catch dark wizards. So today I was not expecting much. Ever since the incident at Hogwarts regarding a teenager's death in the triwizards tournament and none other than harry potter declaring the return of you-know-who, the aurors office had been receiving frequent visits to check that we were doing all we can to keep panic at bay. In my opinion, this was not our job, but who was I to question the authority of the ministry when I'd only been trained a year.
Mad-eye had been getting more and more aggravated as the days went by and I was beginning to see him less and less in the office. So I was surprised when my old mentor knocked on the office door this very morning.
"Nymphadora!" I heard mad-eye say behind me as I began to turn around. He had closed and locked my office door and with a flick of his wand, all the blinds shut.
"Don't call me that, Mad eye!" I glared, my hair turning red against my will. He continued as if I hadn't spoken. "I understand that you are not in agreement with the rest of the ministry regarding the return of he who must not be named?" He growled, his magical eye rolling to the back of his head, no doubt to check for people around.
"Um.." I began, I wasn't sure what he meant. Yes I believed the rumours that harry potter had seen the return of lord Voldemort. Especially as Dumbledore was on his side.
"Do you or do you not, believe that lord Voldemort has returned?" he asked me in a hushed tone.
"Yes, I do." I stated, there was no point in lying to moody, he knew me to well."
"Good, so I have a little offer to make you. It would be risky and dangerous but it is for the greater good. A formation of a society known as the order of the phoenix has been reformed by Albus Dumbledore to prevent Voldemort gaining more power. We need skilled aurors to join our team, would you be interested? It is very top – secret and nobody must know." I didn't have to think about this long, this was not something that I had expected however It was something that I felt strongly about.
"Of course!" I exclaimed, maybe a little to enthusiastically for mad eyes liking because he offered me a scowl.
"First meeting is this evening. Your shift must be nearly over, yes?" I will meet you in the entrance 6pm sharp." Yes sir, I smirked as he headed out the door without another word.
I can't say I wasn't intrigued. I mean, who would be there? If this was run by Dumbledore, surely there must be a decent turn out? Then again, the prophet is currently trying to convince the world he's lost his marbles so maybe not. When had this formed? How long had this been going on? I was curious but also slightly exited. My night would have otherwise consisted of a takeaway pizza and a muggle movie.
6pm sharp, I was at the door greeting moody with a grin..
"Don't look so happy lass, there's a war approaching. This is dangerous work, you could lose more than your job."
"Always the optimist mad-eye" I teased but he looked less than impressed.
"Are you planning on changing that hair of yours before we go, Pink does not look professional Nymphadora, as I have advised many times."
"No I am fine with it like this" I said through gritted teeth at the use of my first name. I hated it. It was the most ridiculous name I have ever heard and of course it had to be mine! There's nothing my mother would ever be able to do to make that up to me.
Moody insisted side-along apparition as I didn't know the place, we arrived in a very deserted looking street, with large houses either side.
"Take this." He growled handing me a sheet of paper. "Memorise it and don't forget it." As soon as I looked back, a large house had appeared I could have sworn was not there before.
I followed moody inside, it was dingy and cold, I stumbled on something before falling to the floor. A large troll leg umbrella stand was the cause of my downfall and I cursed under my breath just as a woman's scream erupted from somewhere above "MUDBLOODS, FILTH, STAINS OF DISHONOR, TAINT OF SHAME ON THE HOUSE OF MY FATHER!"
"For god's sake Tonks! When will you begin to watch where you're going, you're an Auror for Christ's sake!" I looked up guiltily, just as – to my horror – a man I recognised with messy black hair sprinted up the stairs and quickly hushed the screaming woman. I backed away towards the door. It can't be him? What is he doing here? Surely someone noticed? His face was plastered on every poster in the wizarding world.
"Sorry about that, and you are?" He approached me, coming down the stairs.
"Sirius, this is Nymphadora Tonks, I believe, a relative of yours? Tonks, he is innocent, I can explain later but trust me." Moody said all very calm and controlled. I looked towards Sirius black, and smiled slightly. If moody says he's innocent, he must be. He's not one to let a dark wizard slip under his radar.
"Well well well, you've grown up haven't you?" Sirius smirked, embracing me in a hug before I could stop him. "Must have been fifteen years at least since I last saw you little Nymphadora."
"Do not call me that! It's Tonks. Just Tonks." This just seemed to amuse him more. I recognised him from my childhood, of course. He got on well with my mother, cousins I believe. But I couldn't get over the fact I had believed him to be a murderer for the last fourteen years of my life. Maybe I never really did believe it….
"Didn't mind it when you were little did you though?" He teased, I glared.
"I'm not little now."
"No, you're not. Wow an Auror, I'm impressed… Anyway, come meet everyone. The meeting starts in ten minutes." I followed him through to a room with a long thin table, there were already several people sat around.
"I'm assuming you know Kingsley?" He asked.
"Kingsley!" I shouted! He smirked over to me. I was so glad to see a familiar face.
"… and this is Remus Lupin, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Arabelle Figg, Mundungus Fletcher and Elphias Doge. I expect more will be arriving shortly." He pointed each one out in turn. Remus Lupin, lightly tired and scruffy looking, sent me a shy smile for a second I found myself unable to turn away. I suddenly realised I was staring and began to blush. I concentrated hard to prevent my hair matching my cheeks and turned to molly and Arthur who were also offering warm smiles of reassurance. Both supporting striking ginger hair. The small man in the corner, I couldn't remember his name looked sheepish and seemed to be preoccupied by something by his chair. The others had already broken into conversation and I slipped into a seat next to Kinsley.
Moody was stood by the door as more people came in. To my shock, Snape strolled in followed by professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore. I was not a fan of Snape and the feeling was mutual, he gave me a cruel stare as he wandered past. "Finally old enough to do something useful Nymphadora? I hope your Auror skills are better than your potions." I felt myself going red again and quickly focussed on removing the pink tinge on my cheeks.
"Shall we begin?" said Dumbledore as he took a seat at the far end of the table and everyone fell silent.
Okay like I said, that was my first fanfic in about 4-5 years so please give me some feedback. I know not a lot has happened but I wanted to set the scene first. I feel like their relationship wasn't something that happened overnight so I want to portray it how I felt it happened in the books. Any reviews appreciated thanks!