Tonks reported back to HQ empty-handed, knowing full well that Kingley's livid face would be waiting for her when she arrive.
When she stepped inside the building, things have quieted down for a bit. Robert was traicing her hand over the damaged passageway.
The fire had already been put off. People were already cleaning up the burnt debris. They looked at the room now. Or rather, of what's left of it. Cauldrons and phials lay black and burnt everywhere. The once lofty laboratory now lay in heaps of ashes. On the side of the remains, some of the DepMys team had been reduced into tears.
"It was fiendfire. It took longer to put out," said Kingsley when Tonks opened her mouth to ask.
"How in the blazes did he acquire all our spell passes?" said Robert, kicking the hanging wood of what was left of the door. "How come someone simply waltz himself in and grabs whatever he pleases?"
That was kind of the whole point of security. So people couldn't simply barge in. But Tonks was wise enough not to say that out loud. She could understand his frustrations. The Department of Mysteries were one of the most prestigious Department in the Wizarding community. Only A few people with registered wands could enter. Rooms required access code, Registered wands with levels of access, and anti-polyjuice whole department Is laced and glossed over with all the best and available state of the art (within budget) security protocols, for Merlin's sake!
But even with all these protocols, she had yet to tell them they were outdone by a child. So she told them how he chased him back to Hogwarts and how he got out of the way through the Labirynth of stairs and passages.
Robert looked like livid for a second. Kingsley took over. But he thought beter of it and just demanded. "Well don't just stand there! Get me the bios of all the boys in Hogwarts who fits the description."
.oOo.
Lights flickered yellow across the room. The Aurors stared at each other across the table during the emergency meeting Kingsley called the moment Tonks had gotten back.
"Here." Tonks placed the paper the boy had dropped on the table.
Robert took it and immediately whistled. "Boy knows his trade."
"What was it he exactly took anyway?" asked Tonks.
"He stole the Merville Project."
"Merville Project?" asked Tonks.
"DepMys top-confidential."
When Tonks still raised her eyebrows, Robert conceded to explain further. "It's a research that was first began for the last two years and is nearing its completion. The fact that it was stolen now, could be a big threat to the wizarding world's safety, if it fall over to the wrong hands," said Kingsley.
"From Tonks' description his height and his size, we can assume that the suspect was a fifth year by estimate. Maybe polyjuiced, probably sent by someone, " mused Harry.
"I want someone there. An Auror. In Hogwarts," said Kingsley.
Everyone looked at Tonks.
Tonks looked back at everyone.
Robert started shoving the papers towards her. "These are the bios of our suspects. Your job is to take them all into your confidence so you can gather information and get all those research back. "
"It will take three days to set up a new identity. The rest, Tonks can blend in with the crowd," said Harry.
"We'll have her as a transferee student from Beauxbatons, then she can be a very trademark porcelain doll blonde," said Robert. I want a bomb shell," he tried to explain it with his hands "I want a-"
Tonks protested. "What is with you and your stereotypes? Next time, you'll have me dance like a can-can with only a hoola as a dress. I want to at least go with violet hair."
"Tonks could seduce all the boys of those age until they spill the beans," Robert continued, seemingly unable to hear her.
"Hang on, I did not say anything about Tonks going there," said Kingsley cutting all their ministrations and plans with another air of irritation in his voice. "And no Tonks, you can't. For the love of Merlin, you can't wear violet hair!"
"You're confusing me," said Tonks.
Kingsley's frown became more pronounced. "No Tonks inside Hogwarts. And you can't wear your hair Violet during undercover. It must be worn blonde. What part of it escaped your understanding?"
"Don't be daft Kingsley, Tonks always gets sent to mission like this. She could just transform into a Veela and get it over with. We'll have the boy locked up and obliviated in no time," said Robert.
"I'll think about it. Adjourned." Kingsley went out, slamming the door a bit in his wake.
.oOo.
Kingsley sat at his desk, frowning over a piece of parchment that was reported to him. There was a knock at the door. He waived his hand lazily for it to open.
When he saw Tonks enter the room, his frown became more pronounced. "Oh, it's you."
"What's going on Kingsley? Robert said you called me?" Tonks stood before the Head of Aurors office. "Sh-should I go out?" Tonks said hesitantly after his apparently warm welcome.
Kingsley roughly gestured her to sit.
"Look at this." he shoved the paper to Tonks.
Tonks raised her eyebrow as she scanned the contents of the file.
Uncomfortable silence to which Tonks scratched her head trying hard to look concerned and confused to offer her consolation to his predicament.
"I want you to find that boy Tonks. I want you inside. Infiltrate them and find out who's behind it." After all his theatrics, Tonks was the chosen Auror for the job, that much was certain. All infiltration jobs belong to her. "You always blend in naturally. Nobody in their right minds would even suspect you're an Auror." It was such good advantage, but the way Kingsley said it was as if they were going to waterloo with only her knickers on.
"Then what's the problem?" asked Tonks. Deciding not to ponder if his last statement was an insult or a compliment.
"Hogwarts. We can't assign you because Remus is there."
"That's not a problem at all. We used to go to missions together, and it turned out fine. Do you remember that time when you had me posed as a flirt to get a death-eater, then I had to dance in the centre and seduce him just to get under the table information?"
"Yes, and to think that was before you started flirting with him. Merlin, he used to be calm and collected, instead of insisting on safety and dignity and all those nonsense."
"But it turned out fine anyway, right?" insisted Tonks.
"Yes, I also know how that mission ended, thank you very much," said Kingsley irritably.
Tonks shrugged. "Is this is the time I pretend to be as gloomy as you?"
"Never mind it."
"Alright!" Tonks smiled wide. "Kingsley, this is absolutely amazing."
Kingsley looked at her as if abhorring the fact that he was making her happy. "Behave properly Tonks, or I will take this assignment from you and give it to somebody else."
"O." Tonks rolled her eyes.
"Alright! I know you're the only Metamorphagus here and your personality fits with it very well. But your husband is in Hogwarts and it may compromise the mission," said Kingsley.
"But you have no choice, because I'm the one most fit for the job." supplied in Tonks.
"No one is to be told. Even the staff are suspect suppliers. You are the Auror sent to investigate this case. And I will grade your performance. If you do so much as to quirk an eyebrow, you're going straight back to paperwork, Mrs. Lupin, and you can say goodbye to the sun. I will take the case myself," Kingsley raised his voice," even if it meant taking all the polyjuice potion stocks with me just to bring the culprits down. Now, do I hear myself clear?" He looked menacing, but his threats were hollow.
"Yes sir! Track down the thief, protect the school. Got it." said Tonks with an air of professional mock obedience.
"Merlin. I must be going crazy to agreeing to this," he threw his hands up in frustration. "Now get out of here, before I change my mind!"
.oOo.
That night, when Tonks curled beside him in bed after telling her party that she was going somewhere very far, Remus lay more silent than before.
"Is there something wrong?" Tonks would usually say. But since Remus would inevitably reply that there was nothing wrong, she decided to change her tactics.
"I never asked you if I should agree to this."
"Well, what do you think?"
"Should I tell Kingsley tomorrow that you don't agree?" asked Tonks.
"We can do no such thing. Kingsley is probably in a tight spot. I can't demand from him after all he did to pass the werewolf legislations."
"Are you worried?" asked Tonks cautiously.
Remus put a hand to his eyes. "What are you exactly going to do there?"
"For sanity's sake, let's just say it's confidential. I'm not allowed to tell you anything."
"Is this going to be like that scene in that bar?" There was a tinge of anger in his voice.
Tonks uncurled his fist and kissed him to stop him from talking. "I also can't tell you that, honey. For sanity's sake."
