Disclaimer: The wonderful magical world of Harry Potter and all it encompasses belongs to the immensely talented JK Rowling. I mean no infringement upon her rights and make no profit from this sordid little hobby known as fanfiction. It all belongs to her, except for what you don't recognize. And yes, the first three lines are taken from OoP in order to ground the story in time with the book. I hereby give full publishing reference to JK Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic, Order of the Phoenix, 2003.
A/N: This story is meant to be a fun little romp between my absolute favourite HP character, Severus Snape, and one of my new favourite characters, Nymphadora Tonks. I seem incapable of writing a story without a plot. So, this one will have something of a plot along with the "lemons". Also please note, in compliance with ff.net policy excluding NC-17 fics, this story will not contain the full lemon scene. I will indicate where portions of the story are missing. And, they will be found on aff.net. Please feel free to e-mail me if you need a roadmap to that location.
This story takes place at the beginning of OoP, and is in the same "world" as my first fic, "Rom To My Private Dungeon." You do not need to have read that fic to read this one, as I only make a small allusion to it, but it would be nice if you did! :)
Review! Review! Review! Praise and constructive criticism are very welcome. I live for feedback. It feels good and inspires me to keep writing.
And now, without further adieu...
****
"I Have Many Skills" by Gina R Snape
****
"M-m-morning, Harry," yawned Tonks. Her hair was blonde and curly this morning. "Sleep all right?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"I've b-b-been up all night," she said, with another shuddering yawn. "Come and sit down. . . ."
It was the morning of Harry's trial at the Ministry of Magic.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at Tonks. He knew she'd gone on a mission for the Order, and that she should've gotten back late. But it couldn't explain why she'd been up all night.
He turned his attention back to Harry, who was understandably very nervous about the outcome of his hearing. Lupin, Tonks, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, they all did their part to try and reassure Harry that things would be all right.
After Harry finished eating his breakfast (or finished pretending to eat, he was too nervous for actual food), everyone at the table wished him luck. Harry and Arthur Weasley left the kitchen and Tonks slumped down in front of her porridge once again.
"Up all night?" Sirius asked accusatorily.
"I thought you weren't going to the Ministry last night," Lupin clarified. "I thought you were off with Severus Snape."
"And I was," Tonks confirmed. "Now, as I was saying about Scrimgeour and Kingsley..."
Remus sidled up to her in an effort to coax out of her what was surely going to be some juicy information. "Now, hold on a minute. Never you mind about this Scrimgeour business, you. We want to know why you're so tired you can't keep your eyes open, and why you really can't do night duty later!"
"Tell me he didn't make you stay up all night practising," Sirius demanded. "Or worse."
"Settle down, cuz," Tonks dismissed him. "If the two of you don't mind, I'm trying to eat my breakfast."
Sirius was not nearly as playful as Remus Lupin concerning the subject of his dearest cousin and his long-standing enemy. But Tonks was in no mood to explain anything. She much preferred to quietly eat her porridge, close her eyes, and experience blissful flashbacks of the night before. In fact, she wondered why she even bothered coming back here for breakfast. These two were ruining the hum between her legs that refused to go away.
***
The night before:
It was the end of another Order meeting. Severus Snape had finished giving his report to those assembled and Albus Dumbledore was considering their next move.
"I believe, Headmaster, that another Death Eater meeting will be called tonight. He is keen to obtain the prophesy and is anxious to develop a plan whilst remaining under cover." Snape added to his report. "With so few Death Eaters remaining, he is taking stock of his loyal servants and their skills. Perhaps...a diversion would be useful?"
"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore responded. "It is most important that we protect the prophesy, of course. However, perhaps it is not a bad idea to take stock of our own set of varied skills. And to practise them."
Snape bowed and sat down.
"For now," Dumbledore continued, "I should like to test out these 'extendable ears' the Weasley twins have so ingeniously invented. Molly confiscated a few pairs from them and I am quite impressed."
He gave Molly a wink. She blushed, and turned her face down smiling but embarrassed.
"Tonks. I am sending you on a mission," he directed at the young Auror. "You are to accompany Severus on his next Death Eater meeting. Hover outside and use the extendable ears. Afterwards, the two of you will consult on what you were able to hear and what he recalled from the meeting."
Sirius sat quietly in the background and growled quietly under his breath. He was not fond of the idea of his dear cousin spending any time alone with his arch nemesis, even in the name of the Order.
Tonks perked up and smiled in Snape's direction. He scowled and folded his arms in return.
"But sir," Snape spoke up, "Are you not concerned she will be discovered? Perhaps you could send someone more adept at, shall we say, following quietly."
Tonks stood up in protest, but Dumbledore raised his hand before she could speak. "I understand your concern, Severus. But she is the best one for the job at this time. We have others deployed and..."
Tonks initial protest waned as she thought about what Snape had said. She interjected. "To be quite honest, sir, stealth and tracking are not my strong suits. He's got a point."
"Yes, well, be that as it may," Dumbledore responded, "I think the two of you will work well together. Besides, Severus, I want you to teach her the rudiments of Legilimency and Occlumency."
Snape and Tonks looked at each other in surprise. Then, almost in unison, Tonks, Molly and Arthur Weasley and Hestia Jones chimed "You can do that?! Wow!"
"Let's have a go!" Tonks squealed. "Go on, then. Try to read my mind!"
Sirius stood up in protest. "I do not want that man rooting about my cousin's mind!"
Lupin stepped in and calmed Sirius down. "Severus is a superb Occlumens, Sirius. Tonks would do well to learn those skills from him."
Snape narrowed his eyes at Sirius and then turned to Tonks. "Legilimency is not a parlour game to be played on demand," he explained coolly. "It is a serious skill. You would do well to remember that. And as for what you are thinking, even someone as dim and talentless as Sirius Black could know you are thinking you'd like me to read your mind."
The hair on the back of Sirius' neck bristled, but Lupin petted his shoulder to calm him down.
"It is settled," Dumbledore stated firmly. "Tonks will accompany you on your next meeting, and you will set up a time to provide her some brief training. The meeting is dismissed."
Tonks walked over to Sirius as various members disbursed. "Don't throw an eppie, cuz," she admonished him. "We're all here to do our bit. I don't mind working with him, really."
"He's a greasy git and I don't trust him," Sirius snarled.
"Well, he was my Potions Professor when I was at Hogwarts. It's not like I don't know what I'm in for," she smiled sardonically.
Lupin smiled supportively. "He really can teach you a lot, Tonks," he reassured. "Sirius just can't let go of the past."
"Yeah, it's time to pull that thorn out your side," she ordered playfully, "or is it stuck up your arse?"
"There's something wrong with him, I tell you," Sirius insisted. "He's got no friends because he's such a bastard. A sneaky, greasy, slimy Slytherin bastard. And a real face-ache. He was a horrible kid, and he's a horrible adult."
"I dunno," Tonks protested. "Maybe he's just cold because he's shy and that's why he's got no friends. It can't be easy for 'im, leaving behind people he thought were friends to follow Dumbledore and do what's right. I feel kind of sorry for him really. Maybe he's just lonely. Not happy. Pushes people away before they get too close and reject him kind of thing." She giggled, "maybe all he needs is a good hard..." "What I don't need," Snape surprised her from behind, "is your pity. But perhaps, when you are finished socialising, we can concentrate on our assignment. Hmm? Do you think?"
Tonks blushed and excused herself from Remus and Sirius, who promptly left the room. Sirius gave Severus one last warning glance as Remus pulled him out by the elbow.
"Of course, you have my full attention," she smiled. "Only, can I call you Severus? Saying 'Professor Snape' makes me feel like I'm back at Hogwarts."
"If you insist," he replied dismissively. Then, with eerie intensity, he explained, "I expect the Dark Lord to summon me at any time. I'm giving you this rune. Keep it in a pocket close to your person. When it vibrates, take it out and look at it. The character will change and you will see where I am being summoned. After the meeting, I will send you another signal about where to meet up."
Tonks took the rune out of his hand, casually brushing her fingertips against his palm in the process. Snape, startled at the sensation, went pale and froze in response. Tonks noticed the subtle change and smiled.
"Despite my daft cousin's protestations, Severus, I think I'm going to enjoy working with you. I hope you will too."
"Your mind is open, you are easy prey," he replied, a barely discernable lilting cadence to his voice. "However, you managed to pass your Auror training, so there is hope for you yet."
Tonks paused for a moment to think. "Was that his way of complimenting me?" she wondered. "I think it was." She looked at Severus and winked. "Right then. Death Eater meeting, and some dead useful mind skills. Should be exciting."
Severus bowed and turned to leave when he suddenly gasped and clutched his left arm in pain. Spinning around, he locked eyes with Tonks and quickly instructed, "Richmond Castle, now!" He struggled to get out his last few words, "Then meet me at the Hogwarts Express parked in Goathland!" and vanished with a pop.
Tonks looked around and found herself alone. She ran out of the kitchen, tripping on a rolled up parchment and shouted for Molly and Dumbledore. "Quickly! I've got to go! Severus has been summoned!"
Molly handed Tonks a pair of extendable ears and wished her luck. And with a pop, Tonks was off on her assignment.
***
Another author's note. As of publishing date of this chapter (19 Nov 2003), I am taking a very brief hiatus from my other story "Rom" because the plot bunny for "Skills" wouldn't leave me alone. I will return to "Rom" shortly.
A/N: This story is meant to be a fun little romp between my absolute favourite HP character, Severus Snape, and one of my new favourite characters, Nymphadora Tonks. I seem incapable of writing a story without a plot. So, this one will have something of a plot along with the "lemons". Also please note, in compliance with ff.net policy excluding NC-17 fics, this story will not contain the full lemon scene. I will indicate where portions of the story are missing. And, they will be found on aff.net. Please feel free to e-mail me if you need a roadmap to that location.
This story takes place at the beginning of OoP, and is in the same "world" as my first fic, "Rom To My Private Dungeon." You do not need to have read that fic to read this one, as I only make a small allusion to it, but it would be nice if you did! :)
Review! Review! Review! Praise and constructive criticism are very welcome. I live for feedback. It feels good and inspires me to keep writing.
And now, without further adieu...
****
"I Have Many Skills" by Gina R Snape
****
"M-m-morning, Harry," yawned Tonks. Her hair was blonde and curly this morning. "Sleep all right?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"I've b-b-been up all night," she said, with another shuddering yawn. "Come and sit down. . . ."
It was the morning of Harry's trial at the Ministry of Magic.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at Tonks. He knew she'd gone on a mission for the Order, and that she should've gotten back late. But it couldn't explain why she'd been up all night.
He turned his attention back to Harry, who was understandably very nervous about the outcome of his hearing. Lupin, Tonks, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, they all did their part to try and reassure Harry that things would be all right.
After Harry finished eating his breakfast (or finished pretending to eat, he was too nervous for actual food), everyone at the table wished him luck. Harry and Arthur Weasley left the kitchen and Tonks slumped down in front of her porridge once again.
"Up all night?" Sirius asked accusatorily.
"I thought you weren't going to the Ministry last night," Lupin clarified. "I thought you were off with Severus Snape."
"And I was," Tonks confirmed. "Now, as I was saying about Scrimgeour and Kingsley..."
Remus sidled up to her in an effort to coax out of her what was surely going to be some juicy information. "Now, hold on a minute. Never you mind about this Scrimgeour business, you. We want to know why you're so tired you can't keep your eyes open, and why you really can't do night duty later!"
"Tell me he didn't make you stay up all night practising," Sirius demanded. "Or worse."
"Settle down, cuz," Tonks dismissed him. "If the two of you don't mind, I'm trying to eat my breakfast."
Sirius was not nearly as playful as Remus Lupin concerning the subject of his dearest cousin and his long-standing enemy. But Tonks was in no mood to explain anything. She much preferred to quietly eat her porridge, close her eyes, and experience blissful flashbacks of the night before. In fact, she wondered why she even bothered coming back here for breakfast. These two were ruining the hum between her legs that refused to go away.
***
The night before:
It was the end of another Order meeting. Severus Snape had finished giving his report to those assembled and Albus Dumbledore was considering their next move.
"I believe, Headmaster, that another Death Eater meeting will be called tonight. He is keen to obtain the prophesy and is anxious to develop a plan whilst remaining under cover." Snape added to his report. "With so few Death Eaters remaining, he is taking stock of his loyal servants and their skills. Perhaps...a diversion would be useful?"
"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore responded. "It is most important that we protect the prophesy, of course. However, perhaps it is not a bad idea to take stock of our own set of varied skills. And to practise them."
Snape bowed and sat down.
"For now," Dumbledore continued, "I should like to test out these 'extendable ears' the Weasley twins have so ingeniously invented. Molly confiscated a few pairs from them and I am quite impressed."
He gave Molly a wink. She blushed, and turned her face down smiling but embarrassed.
"Tonks. I am sending you on a mission," he directed at the young Auror. "You are to accompany Severus on his next Death Eater meeting. Hover outside and use the extendable ears. Afterwards, the two of you will consult on what you were able to hear and what he recalled from the meeting."
Sirius sat quietly in the background and growled quietly under his breath. He was not fond of the idea of his dear cousin spending any time alone with his arch nemesis, even in the name of the Order.
Tonks perked up and smiled in Snape's direction. He scowled and folded his arms in return.
"But sir," Snape spoke up, "Are you not concerned she will be discovered? Perhaps you could send someone more adept at, shall we say, following quietly."
Tonks stood up in protest, but Dumbledore raised his hand before she could speak. "I understand your concern, Severus. But she is the best one for the job at this time. We have others deployed and..."
Tonks initial protest waned as she thought about what Snape had said. She interjected. "To be quite honest, sir, stealth and tracking are not my strong suits. He's got a point."
"Yes, well, be that as it may," Dumbledore responded, "I think the two of you will work well together. Besides, Severus, I want you to teach her the rudiments of Legilimency and Occlumency."
Snape and Tonks looked at each other in surprise. Then, almost in unison, Tonks, Molly and Arthur Weasley and Hestia Jones chimed "You can do that?! Wow!"
"Let's have a go!" Tonks squealed. "Go on, then. Try to read my mind!"
Sirius stood up in protest. "I do not want that man rooting about my cousin's mind!"
Lupin stepped in and calmed Sirius down. "Severus is a superb Occlumens, Sirius. Tonks would do well to learn those skills from him."
Snape narrowed his eyes at Sirius and then turned to Tonks. "Legilimency is not a parlour game to be played on demand," he explained coolly. "It is a serious skill. You would do well to remember that. And as for what you are thinking, even someone as dim and talentless as Sirius Black could know you are thinking you'd like me to read your mind."
The hair on the back of Sirius' neck bristled, but Lupin petted his shoulder to calm him down.
"It is settled," Dumbledore stated firmly. "Tonks will accompany you on your next meeting, and you will set up a time to provide her some brief training. The meeting is dismissed."
Tonks walked over to Sirius as various members disbursed. "Don't throw an eppie, cuz," she admonished him. "We're all here to do our bit. I don't mind working with him, really."
"He's a greasy git and I don't trust him," Sirius snarled.
"Well, he was my Potions Professor when I was at Hogwarts. It's not like I don't know what I'm in for," she smiled sardonically.
Lupin smiled supportively. "He really can teach you a lot, Tonks," he reassured. "Sirius just can't let go of the past."
"Yeah, it's time to pull that thorn out your side," she ordered playfully, "or is it stuck up your arse?"
"There's something wrong with him, I tell you," Sirius insisted. "He's got no friends because he's such a bastard. A sneaky, greasy, slimy Slytherin bastard. And a real face-ache. He was a horrible kid, and he's a horrible adult."
"I dunno," Tonks protested. "Maybe he's just cold because he's shy and that's why he's got no friends. It can't be easy for 'im, leaving behind people he thought were friends to follow Dumbledore and do what's right. I feel kind of sorry for him really. Maybe he's just lonely. Not happy. Pushes people away before they get too close and reject him kind of thing." She giggled, "maybe all he needs is a good hard..." "What I don't need," Snape surprised her from behind, "is your pity. But perhaps, when you are finished socialising, we can concentrate on our assignment. Hmm? Do you think?"
Tonks blushed and excused herself from Remus and Sirius, who promptly left the room. Sirius gave Severus one last warning glance as Remus pulled him out by the elbow.
"Of course, you have my full attention," she smiled. "Only, can I call you Severus? Saying 'Professor Snape' makes me feel like I'm back at Hogwarts."
"If you insist," he replied dismissively. Then, with eerie intensity, he explained, "I expect the Dark Lord to summon me at any time. I'm giving you this rune. Keep it in a pocket close to your person. When it vibrates, take it out and look at it. The character will change and you will see where I am being summoned. After the meeting, I will send you another signal about where to meet up."
Tonks took the rune out of his hand, casually brushing her fingertips against his palm in the process. Snape, startled at the sensation, went pale and froze in response. Tonks noticed the subtle change and smiled.
"Despite my daft cousin's protestations, Severus, I think I'm going to enjoy working with you. I hope you will too."
"Your mind is open, you are easy prey," he replied, a barely discernable lilting cadence to his voice. "However, you managed to pass your Auror training, so there is hope for you yet."
Tonks paused for a moment to think. "Was that his way of complimenting me?" she wondered. "I think it was." She looked at Severus and winked. "Right then. Death Eater meeting, and some dead useful mind skills. Should be exciting."
Severus bowed and turned to leave when he suddenly gasped and clutched his left arm in pain. Spinning around, he locked eyes with Tonks and quickly instructed, "Richmond Castle, now!" He struggled to get out his last few words, "Then meet me at the Hogwarts Express parked in Goathland!" and vanished with a pop.
Tonks looked around and found herself alone. She ran out of the kitchen, tripping on a rolled up parchment and shouted for Molly and Dumbledore. "Quickly! I've got to go! Severus has been summoned!"
Molly handed Tonks a pair of extendable ears and wished her luck. And with a pop, Tonks was off on her assignment.
***
Another author's note. As of publishing date of this chapter (19 Nov 2003), I am taking a very brief hiatus from my other story "Rom" because the plot bunny for "Skills" wouldn't leave me alone. I will return to "Rom" shortly.