our writing on the wall

by Caught Ink Handed

Tonks was no stranger to heartbreak. In the past year alone, it felt like her heart had been crushed to dust. She didn't have it in her anymore. It was time to move on. There was a war going on and she was right in the eye of the storm. -or- Remus and Tonks don't sort it out after the famed hospital scene in the Half Blood Prince and everything is pain and angst until it isn't.

2. rome is also built on ruins

our writing on the wall (is lorem ipsum after all)

chapter ii. rome is also built on ruins.

The summer dragged on. The entire country was dry and hot, and, in the wizarding community, filled with fear. People kept their chins to their chests as they rushed from one destination to another. Some didn't leave their homes; others fled the country; many tried to ignore the facts. The newspapers were filled with gruesome tales of entire families murdered in their beds and of vicious duels in the middle of crowded areas. The Order could barely keep its head above water with the increasing number of Death Eaters and attacks. Many Order members were in hiding and those who weren't were constantly moving around, trying to provide protection.

But all of the Order gathered to protect one person, Harry Potter.

Tonks sat at one end of the table, wedged between Mad-Eye and Kingsley. They were all watching as various members gave reports, none of which were positive. Tonks idly drummed her fingers against the weathered wood of the Weasley kitchen table.

"Does anyone else have any new reports to give?" Remus's voice cut through the chatter that had erupted after the last report. "No? Well then, we need to determine how we will extract Harry before his 17th birthday."

"I've 'ot an idea," a gravelly voice piped up from behind a cloud of smoke. The entire Order turned in a loud scraping of chairs.

"What is it, Mundungus?" Remus asked calmly, turning to face the other man.

"So the o'fer day, I was thinkin'," Mundungus began, taking a long drag of his pipe, much to Molly's distress.

"That's likely," Tonks muttered to Mad-Eye, who gave a little grunt and jabbed her in the ribs. Fred and George, a few seats over, had to stifle their laughter into their overly expensive-looking jackets. Tonks winked at them, leaning behind Mad-Eye.

"What if," Mundungus started, "there wa' more than 'on 'Arry Pott'ah."

"What do ya mean?" Mad-Eye barked, narrowing his eye at Mundungus.

'Dung turned lazily to look at Mad-Eye, "Polyjuice potion," he drawled, "Couple people take it an' then we've got o'fer Pott'ahs."

A murmur rose from the group, random voices rising above the rest. But everyone fell silent as Mad-Eye pounded his hand against the table. "Shut up. Right now it's the only plan we've got, how ever ridiculous."

"It's actually not too bad of a plan, you know." Remus interjected, "We could have, say, six others take the potion and then each will be escorted by an Order member. Side-along apparition?"

"Harry's still got the trace on him. He can't apparate." Tonks interjected, rather smugly if she did say so herself.

Remus ground his teeth together in frustration and said as calmly as possible, "And what do you suggest, Nymphadora?" Tonks's eyes narrowed at Remus, the tips of her hair flashing a dangerous red.

"Why don't we fly? The Death Eaters know that Harry's a good flyer. And maybe thestrals?" She kept her eyes fixated on Remus until he looked away uncomfortably.

"But who would be wiling to take the potion? To be disguised as Harry is a certain death sentence." Remus replied, sliding his eyes across the room. "I don't suppose you have a solution for that too,"

Tonks shifted forward, but Mad-Eye pressed his hand into the crook of her arm, restraining her slightly. Kingsley, in his slow, steady manner, said, "Who here would be willing to take the potion?"

There was a mixed chorus of yeses and nos. "Remus, you can not really be thinking of doing this!" Molly Weasley shouted above the din.

"Molly," Remus began wearily, "there is no," Remus pinched the bridge of his nose, "there is very little we can do. We must get him out of there as soon as possible, before he turns 17. 'Dung's plan lets us extract Harry and provide adequate protection."

And thus it was decided that Harry Potter would be guarded by 13 Order members.

O-o-O-o-O

It was times like these that Tonks really hated her aunt, she thought as she rolled her broom away from the barrage of spells. Ron's hands were gripping a little too tightly to her waist as he rotated, trying to fend off their attackers. Tonks leaned forward, urging her trusty old broom to speed up. "Come on, come on, come on!" She muttered.

"Tonks!" Ron yelped, "Protego!" He shouted, a silvery shield expanding from his wand.

Tonks spun on her broom expertly. "Stupefy," One of their attackers fell back, his black robes billowing behind him.

One Deatheater flew up to their side while Tonks was exchanging curses with one of his masked brethren. He made a wild grab for Ron, who promptly punched him in the nose, howling out curses as he clutched at his hand.

Tonks sped up again, desperate to make it to Ron's Auntie Muriel's.

"Avada Kedavra!" A shrill, all too familiar voice cut through the wind. Tonks instinctually dove down, watching as the jet of green light disappear into the air above their heads. "Crucio!" Bellatrix shrieked, flying precariously close to them. The curse brushed against the exposed skin on Tonks' forearm and she nearly cried out in pain at the acute burning sensation.

"Fuck!" She shot a few haphazard curses in her direction.

Tonks' skill on a broom far out did her aunt's, but Tonks didn't have quite the same manic nature as her. So while Tonks maneuvered wildly, trying to throw Bellatrix off, Bellatrix was gleefully shooting hexes.

Bellatrix and another Deatheater flew up along the sides of their broom and it was all Tonks could do to weave around the curses. Ron was picking off the handful of Deatheaters on their tail, but he was no match for Bellatrix. Tonks leaned into her broom, speeding up while shooting a few slowing hexes behind her.

"Alright, kid, we're gonna switch!" She called over the howl of the wind. "You can fly right?"

"Yeah!" Ron called back, still sounding like Harry.

"You better fly damn well then," she barked, still urging the broom to go faster. "On three, I'm going to roll under and you're gonna slid forward."

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"You're no match for Bellatrix, or any of them. No offense. On three!" She shouted, clutching her wand tightly. "1! 2! 3!" With the practiced ease of a chaser, Tonks rolled under the broom, hanging on with one hand. Ron vaulted to the front of the broom, steadying the handle as it wobbled with Tonks's violent movement. As Tonks held haphazardly onto the broom, she swore loudly, watching as her slowing jinx wore off.

Bellatrix's cackle carried across the night sky, blending with the whistling wind. "Oh Nymphadora!" She shot a nasty looking purple jinx at Tonks, who had to swing wildly to one side to avoid it. Tonks had to give Ron credit for his flying. The teenager managed to keep the broom under control despite the awkward weight of Tonks swinging below.

Using the momentum of her swing, Tonks managed to loft herself up on to the broom, facing backward. "Kid, let's go."

Ron shot off, his black hair flapping in the wind.

Tonks and Bellatrix were locked in a vicious duel, curses glancing off of shield charms. It was all Tonks could do to block the curses, and shout out to Ron which way to weave. Bellatrix was laughing with glee as spells poured from her wand in every different color. "Roll!" Tonks screamed, and Ron obliged, tossing the broom to the side and allowing the series of spells Bellatrix had fired at them to pass harmlessly overhead.

Tonks whipped her wand towards her aunt as Ron righted the broom, shouting, "Bombarda!" The spell missed Bellatrix, but skimmed the tail of the broom, taking off a good chuck of the twigs.

Bellatrix responded with insults that were lost to the wind.

Another set of masked figures rose up near Bellatrix, sending a barrage of curses their direction.

"Protego maxima!" A massive cloud of silver burst from her wand and the spells glanced off harmlessly. Tonks send back a volley of her own, her wand slashing through the air. Two of the Deatheaters flew off of their brooms and into each other, and then crashing into on of their fellows as well. This caused all of the fliers to veer sharply away so to avoid getting hit by the others.

"How much further?"

"Nearly! Nearly!" Ron made a sharp left, tossing a few more off their tail.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix screamed, but this time, thankfully, it missed by a few feet. A particularly aggressive attacker tried to approach from above, but Tonks disintegrated his broom and levitated him back into the others.

"We need to get out of here!" Tonks released a stream of curse words as she tried to throw the Deatheaters off their trail.

"Weak girl! Foolish girl!" shrieked Bellatrix.

Bellatrix's face loomed into view, grinning madly. Tonks gritted her teeth, "Avada Kedavra!" Tonks watched as the green light missed the dark haired witch by mere centimeters. Bellatrix, still struggling with her broom, was forced to peel away, cursing madly.

"We have to switch again. I've got to pass the line first. On three. 1, 2, 3!" Tonks dropped off the broom again, swinging herself up quickly. Ron's hands clutched at her waist quickly, sliding back into place.

"There!" Ron shouted hoarsely in her ear, pointing down to a rather large house below. "That's it! That's Muriel's!"

Tonks steered the broom into a steep dive, worthy of a seeker and they hurtled through the protective barriers. However, she pulled out of her dive moments too late and sent them both sprawling across the lawn.

"Is that you Ronald?"

"Yes, Auntie Muriel," groaned Ron, rolling over in the dirt.

Tonks stood up hastily, offering Ron a helping hand. "Sorry 'bout that. You were brilliant by the way."

"Really? Thanks. You should tell Hermione that," he chortled nervously. "She never believes me."

"Ronald! Is that you? And who are you?"

"I'm Tonks." Tonks offered a hand, just as her mother had instructed. The elderly woman in front of her took it, but only very limply, as if Tonks had some sort of highly contagious disease.

"Tonks? Andromeda's daughter?" Muriel narrowed her eyes at the younger woman.

"Yes, ma'am. Do you know her?"

"I know of her," the woman replied imperiously, shepherding them inside. Tonks glanced up towards the protective shield. She could've sworn she saw a figure circling above, black hair swirling madly.

Tonks rushed into the large house, determined not to linger on thoughts of her mad aunt. Ron was grumbling in protest as his great-aunt fussed over him, critiquing the state of his hair.

"What time does the portkey leave?" Ron asked over the top of his great-aunt's head.

"It left ten minutes ago. We'll have to make a new one," She brushed her hair back, her fingers catching twigs and dirt. "Awesome," she moaned, combing her fingers through her neon pink hair.

"Tonks, what happened to your arm?" Ron gestured towards the angry looking burn on her forearm.

"Oh," she glanced down, only now aware of the shooting pain. "Must've been Bellatrix's cruciartus curse. I knew it only grazed me."

"Let me see," Muriel bustled over to Tonks, and Tonks shot Ron a glare as he laughed silently. "I better get some thing on that. I have just the thing. My grandmother used to give this to us. It'll heal you right up." Muriel whipped out her wand, a rather spindly, scary looking thing, and cast a quick summoning charm. An ancient looking bottle whizzed into the room and into Muriel's palm. Tonks stared at it apprehensively. "Here, drink up." Tonks took the bottle and downed a swig, the liquid instantly tearing at her throat.

Tonks clutched at her arm as the pain intensified.

"Feels better already, doesn't it, dearie?" Muriel clamped a hand down on Tonks's wounded arm.

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Tonks said through gritted teeth.

Muriel smiled at her sinisterly, although Tonks doubted it was meant to be like that. "I'll get you something to eat. I think that I've got some lovely fruitcake from Christmas. You both look peaky," she pinched Ron's cheek harshly before disappearing into what she could only assume was a kitchen.

"What the bloody hell was that?"

"Tasted like piss or somethin'." Tonks laughed, probing her arm with her wand softly, "Well it didn't help this."

"I didn't know that the cruciartus curse could leave a mark."

"Yeah, sometimes they do. Especially if it just grazes you, most curses can leave a mark." Tonks explained, still attempting to heal her arm, "Damn, my mum'll have to heal this. And we better get going." she added, glancing at her watch.

"Thank Merlin. I can't stand her sometimes," Ron moaned, falling back into an antique chair.

Muriel reappeared, pinning Ron with a stern glare for sitting in one of her chairs, a frightening fruitcake balanced in one hand. "Here we are," She gestured for Tonks to sit and passed her a plate of fruitcake.

Tonks stared at it in horror, but dutifully took a bite as Muriel watched her. She choked down a few more bites, deciding that even her own cooking was better than this cake, if you could call it that. Ron was doing a far worse job on disguising his disgust for the food.

"Er, Muriel, we really ought to get going. Our portkey…"

"You can make a new one," Muriel cut her off quickly, "Now tell me Ronald, how has your schooling been going?"

Ron's cheeks instantly flamed red, "It's alright, Auntie Muriel,"

"And you, Miss. Tonks?"

"I'm an auror."

Muriel's noise wrinkled momentarily but nodded, "You're not married, are you?"

Tonks's cheeks almost turned as pink as Ron's, but she replied, "No, much to my mother's distress. Now, Mrs. Weasley, we really-"

But Muriel was already talking over her.

Tonks pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"For the love of Morgana," hissed Tonks. She dug through her pockets, looking for something to make into a portkey. She could only find an old can of mints, but it would have to do. Luckily, Ron choose that moment to talk boisterously about why a quidditch player was a perfectly reasonable career path, so Muriel would not hear Tonks mutter the portkey spell.

"Uh, Muriel, this cake was absolutely wonderful." Tonks began in her best impression of her mother, "But we really must be going. I've made a portkey, so we need to be going

Muriel turned away from Ron, a sneer blossoming across her face, "Oh, I suppose so,"

"We'll fly out, if that's alright with you." Tonks added, drifting towards the door.

Tonks picked up her broom, quickly mounting it. Ron sidled up awkwardly behind her. Tonks pushed off of the ground easily, flying just outside the protective shield. Tonks held out the old mint tin, winking at the teenager. Ron grabbed it eagerly. "3, 2, 1."

Tonks felt a sharp tug in her gut, spinning away, and then crashing into the ground, after a desperate attempt to keep the broom in the air. Pebbles and dirt sprayed upwards as Tonks, the broom, and Ron toppled over each other. "I never could stick the landings," she groaned, dropping the tin and rolling over. "You alright, Weasley?"

"You really need to work on your landings," Ron mumbled, "That's two in one night, mate."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Tonks stood to her feet, brushing dirt off her pants. Tonks offered a hand to Ron, who was beginning to look more like Ron again. The pair of them began to walk down the long path to the Burrow.

"Thanks." Ron blurted out, "You know for, ya know everything."

"Anytime, Ron. Don't sell yourself too short," She gave him a playful shove as they reached the far-reaching light of the Burrow.

A figure with bushy hair came flying towards them. Tonks's fingers tightened around her wand, but relaxed as Hermione latched on to Ron. "I thought – I thought – "

"'M fine. 'M alright, really, 'Mione."

"He was brilliant," started Tonks warmly, "Stunned some of those Death Eaters like he was a bloody auror or something. And when you're aiming from a moving target-"

"You did?" Hermione pulled away, looping her arm through his and leading him back towards the house.

Tonks followed after them, the throbbing in her arm increasing. After two broom crashes in one night, and the adrenaline wearing off, pain was seeping into her body. She could feel the full affects of every spell that hit her, especially Bellatrix's crucio.

"They're back!" She could hear Hermione shouting and a rush of people poured out of the house.

One figure rushed towards her, wand raised. Tonks pulled her own from inside her long coat, raising it as well. Remus, excellent, just what I need, Tonks thought drily, as the man's face was illuminated.

"Why were you delayed?" He advanced carefully, "Your portkey arrived without you. Where were you?"

"Bellatrix fucking Lestrange, Lupin! She was after us the whole damn time, so excuse me for not getting murdered by my fucking crazy aunt!" Tonks held her wand up as well.

"She couldn't have held you for that long." Remus continued to flick his wand at her face, which she did not appreciate.

"Fuck off, Lupin," She hissed, pushing past him roughly.

But he was having none of it, grabbing her arm and yanking her back. "Security question, Nymphadora,"

"Fine then, ask away. It's a waste of bleeding time, but ask away."

"What color was your hair when we first met?"

Tonks rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner, twisting her arm out of Lupin's grasp. "I change my hair every day. How on earth would I remember that day? It's not like it was important or memorable. That's cute that you think I would remember." That's a lie, her mind thought traitorously. A flinch rushed through Remus, much to Tonks's delight, "Now would you let me go?"

"You know I can't do that!"

Tonks let out a short laugh, "You know you're being ridiculous. I can't-"

"You need to answer a question, Nymphadora!" Remus's wand was back up in her face.

CRASH! A broom crashed to the ground behind Tonks, causing both of them to turn their wands away from each other and towards the new arrival. A large figure stood slowly, supported by a large staff.

"Mad-Eye!" Tonks called out happily, but did not lower her wand. "What was the first thing you said to me when you became my mentor?"

Mad-Eye lumbered towards them, "I told ya' that you better not do anything stupid. And then you fell down a flight of stairs. That was pretty stupid, girlie." Tonks lowered her wand as Mad-Eye approached.

Mad-Eye nodded at her, a tight grin on his lips. Remus, however, turned his wand back on Tonks. "You still haven't answered a question."

"Fuck off, Lupin." Tonks's wand was back up as well, "You haven't answered one yet."

"Yes, he has," interjected Kingsley, who had joined the commotion.

Mad-Eye grunted in greeting before saying, "Lupin, she can't be imitated. She's a metamorphagus, for Merlin's sake."

"That's what I was trying to say." Tonks threw her hands up in frustration. "It's a wonder you were allowed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."

The anger on Lupin's face faded away and he promptly turned on his heel to return to the house.

"Fuck," Tonks grumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I'm just a fucking disaster." Mad-Eye clapped her on her shoulder and shoved her back towards the house. "Wait, Mad-Eye, where's Dung?"

"The bastard disapparated at the first sight of trouble." The older man grunted, his words accentuated by the thud of his staff.

Kingsley, walking on Moody's other side, let out a disgusted sigh, "We never should've let him on this mission. He's a liability."

"Ya don't say," huffed Mad-Eye as they entered the warmth and light of the Burrow. They were pushed out of the way as Molly rushed out to greet the final pair, Bill and Fleur.

They followed the voices into the large, cozy living room. The Weasleys were huddled around the couch, where George was resting, joking about with Fred. Tonks watched the twins crack jokes about George's ear with a levity she wished they could all have. She scraped her ring fingernail against the rough skin of her thumb as she leaned against the wall, her muscles moaning in protest.

Molly, Bill and Fleur joined the rest, Molly instantly fussing over everyone. The Weasley family, plus Harry and Hermione, closed around George, who was grinning and laughing cheerfully. Molly bustled off to the kitchen, searching for food for her guests. Remus drifted off to help her, a dour look lingering on his face.

"So you and Weasley made it to Muriel's alright?" Kingsley asked, his low voice drifting over the din of the Weasley clan.

"You mean, did I not get killed by my aunt? No, no, I made it out, relatively unscathed." Tonks laughed stiffly, "She is really out to get me," sighed Tonks, weariness slipping into her tone. "Me an' Ron missed our portkey at Muriel's because of her."

Kingsley rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "You'll be fine, Tonks. You always are." He shot another kindly smile in her direction. "I need to get back to Downing Street. I should've been there an hour ago." Kingsley patted her shoulder once more and then moved to make his goodbyes with the rest.

"Tonks, dear, would you like some tea?" Molly called from the kitchen.

"No, thanks, Molly,"

"Girl, c'mere." Mad-Eye grunted in her direction, where he, Bill, Arthur, and Remus were gathered. "We had a leak."

"Who do you think it was? Somebody here?" Arthur asked nervously, glancing around the room.

"It had to be Fletcher." Mad-Eye interjected, his magical eye whizzing. Tonks nodded in agreement, her eyes focused on Moody.

"So what do we do then?" asked Bill.

"Nothing," Remus added, "Fletcher's long gone. He'll show up eventually, but he won't be a threat."

"How can you know he won't be a threat?" hissed Tonks. She didn't really disagree with him; it was more the premise of agreeing with him.

Remus turned to her, a cold expression in his usually kind eyes, "Really, Nymphadora? It's a wonder you're allowed to be an auror." He echoed her words, "Fletcher was probably under Veritaserum, I would guess Severus. Fletcher'll just crawl back in his hole."

Tonks glowered at him, "He still knows the locations of many of the safe houses. How do we know he won't get fooled again and tell the Deatheaters the location of a safe house? How can we allow somebody with that knowledge to wander around?"

"Tonks makes a good point," Bill said steadily, "We've put these people in harm's way. We shouldn't add another threat because we don't think 'Dung is a threat." Tonks could've kissed Bill for agreeing with her.

"You're always saying 'constant vigilance', Mad-Eye. I don't think it's very vigilant to let Fletcher wander around where a Deatheater, particularly Snivillous, might find him."

Moody nodded, "Yes, I think you're right. We'll find the bastard and wipe his memories of any Order material. Then he can't tell anyone, even Snape." Tonks felt a rush of pride as her mentor agreed with her, "Tonks, you an' me can go looking for him in a few days."

Remus let out a huff of irritation, raking his eyes over the room in frustration. Thankfully, Molly, in all her maternal glory, bustled over to their small group. "Tea?"

Remus replied with a polite yes. Mad-Eye grunted something about getting something stronger. And Tonks attempted to leave, only to be caught in Molly's mother henning.

"Tonks, what on earth happened to your arm?" Molly hastily rolled back the sleeve of Tonks's jacket.

"It's nothin', Molly. Really, I'm fine." Tonks attempted to wriggle out of Molly's grasp, but to no avail.

"Girl, why didn't ya say anything?" Mad-Eye growled, leaning in for a closer look. "Cruciartus?" Tonks nodded glumly, "Nasty buggers, aren't they?"

"Who did it?" Bill asked.

Tonks fought the urge to roll her eyes, "Who do you think? Bellatrix."

"She always did favor that one."

"She's a sick, sadistic bitch," Molly gasped, glancing towards her children. "My mother's words, not mine." Tonks added with a sardonic grin, "I nearly had 'er. I was this close," she indicated with her fingers.

Remus, who had remained quiet throughout the whole discussion, said softly, "You should get some ice on that. It will help with the swelling." Tonks glanced up at him, her eyebrows raised in surprise at his small olive branch.

"Thanks, Lupin," replied Tonks, her voice a bit rougher than she would've expected.

"Would you like me to heal it?" Molly asked, already pulling out her wand. Tonks was sure that the older witch was proficient in small cuts and bruise, maybe the occasional burn judging on Fred and George's knack for pyrotechnics. But a complicated burn from an unforgivable? She needed somebody with more experience.

"Oh, no thanks, Molly. But I think I'll just head home and get my mum to do it. She did run St. Mungo's dark magic ward for a number of years." Tonks explained, feeling a bit guilty for the hurt expression on Molly's face, but this was her arm she was talking about.

"Alright, dear. Are you sure you won't stay for a cup of tea?"

"No, I'm sorry, Molly. But my mum and dad must be beside themselves. And I need Mum to take a look at this." She gestured to the angry burn on her forearm. "Mad-Eye, do you need me tomorrow?" The man gave a one armed shrug, "You know where to find me. Thanks Molly for your hospitality."

Molly smiled kindly at her, "Oh it is no problem at all. Thank you, dear, for taking care of Ron. I worry about him."

"Ron was brilliant, Molly. Thank him again for me," Tonks flashed one more smile at the others before finally ducking out the door. She rushed to the border of the enchantment, apparating away in a crack.

O-o-O-o-O

Tonks nearly passed out with sheer exhaustion as she stumbled out of the small alleyway. Her muscles ached painfully, and the wound on her arm was certainly making itself known. Mindlessly, she walked towards her parents' home. A car backfired a few streets away, causing Tonks to jump a bit and clutch at her wand.

The familiar shape of her parents' home loomed ahead. Tonks sighed in relief as she passed the edge of the protective charms.

"Dora!" Her father called out from the doorway. "Oh, 'Meda, she's alright! I told you she'd be fine." He burst out of the doorway, followed closely by his wife.

"I'm fine, I'm fine, Dad," she mumbled into his shoulder. He ran a soothing hand down her back, his breathing a bit unsteady.

"Thank Merlin, Nymphadora." Andromeda sighed, shepherding her family inside. "When the Potter boy showed up, I couldn't help, but- I couldn't help but think-" Andromeda pulled her daughter out of her husband's arm and into her own. Andromeda carded her fingers through Tonks's neon hair, "I hate that you're in danger, Nymphadora."

"I'm sorry, Mum. I'm alright."

"Thank the gods for that." Tonks fell back into one of the chairs once her mother released her. It had been a long time since she had flown a broom in such a way, and it was grueling.

"Mum, can you fix me up a bit?" Tonks asked, careful to keep her tone light and casual.

"Of course, Dora. What is it this time?"

"Well there's the regular bruises and cuts." Andromeda pursed her lips, her eyes falling on the web of cuts on one of her daughter's cheeks. "But I've also got this," Tonks gently rolled her jacket up, easing it around the wound.

"Dora!" Andromeda gasped.

"What is it?" Ted asked, leaning in in interest. "Jesus, Dora, what happened?"

"Ted, please bring me an ice pack, quickly." Tonks winced a bit as her mother began poking and prodding at the skin around the damage. "Cruciatus?"

"Yep,"

Ted returned, a brightly colored ice pack in hand, "There you go, 'Meda. Dora," he sighed, squeezing her shoulder lightly as she let out a gasp of pain.

As her mother lay the ice pack on her arm, Tonks tried to focus on her breathing. "How bad is it, Mum?" Tonks asked through gritted teeth.

Waving her wand, Andromeda cursed slightly under her breath. "Bellatrix," she hissed, her eyes dark with anger.

"Mum?"

"It was Bellatrix, wasn't it?" Tonks nodded, watching her mother curiously. "She always did like this one."

"What one?" Ted asked, fear seeping into his voice.

"The cruciatus curse."

A pained expression crossed Ted's normally jovial face, "I thought that couldn't leave a mark?"

"It only skimmed me, and from close range," interjected Tonks. "Damn it, Mum! That hurt!" Tonks yelped as a glowing teal light covered her arm. "What was that?"

"Calm down, Nymphadora. It will help extract the dark magic. It might take a while. Bellatrix's curse was strong."

"I know that," Tonks threw her head back against the chair back. "Fuck,"

"Language, Nymphadora," Andromeda said, still monitoring the charm over her daughter's arm.

"So what is that spell?"

"It can heal the affects of the cruciatus curse if there are physical markers. She learned early on that if you cast it close enough to your victim, you could leave a physical mark." Andromeda suppressed a wince as memories overwhelmed her. "It's rare that she does it, but it hurts like a bitch, doesn't it?"

"Language, Mum," laughed Tonks, still wincing a bit.

"You need to rest, Dora," Andromeda said softly. "Can you walk?"

"I hurt my arm, not my spine."

"Fine then, go to your room." Andromeda's tone left no room for argument and Tonks nodded, quickly marching up to her room. "Keep your arm elevated!"

O-o-O-o-O

sooo...i'm a complete softie apparently and couldn't kill off moody. sorry not sorry.

say hey at mistletoe-prongs on tumblr

chapter title comes from "ruins" by eliza griswold

disclaimer: all of the characters and the world belong to j.k. rowling

next chapter will probably be up on wednesday when i'm down with my exams. also i thought this would only be three chapters, but i think it's gonna be closer to 5, maybe 6.

~ebh