AN: So it's been like, five months since I updated! I know, I'm sorry, but in all fairness I didn't have access to a computer for two of them...anyway, when I read DH I just didn't feel like continuing...it shook me up...but now I'm okay...so yeah...this is a bit of a random chapter, it pretty much goes from one thing to another but hey! Tonks is an Auror, we have to put SOME fighting in. And another thing, how could I resist making Sirius give her a silly nickname????

Anyway, do you forgive me???? Here it is... also, can someone please advise me, do you put an extra E on the end of protégé for a girl or not? I wasn't sure...I put it on for good measure... so please, R&R!!!

The days turned into weeks. Tonks, despite the state of the world around her, despite the fact Aunt Bellatrix was on the loose again, was living in a dream. A Remus centred dream. More than once had Mad-Eye given out to her about dreaming, but his normal eye twinkled.

"Love is no reason to neglect your duties." he'd say, and give her a wink before limping off. In the absence of her father, living in the country, she looked to Mad-Eye. After all, she had been his protégée at the office, if it wasn't for him, she'd probably be working for the Floo Network with that utter bimbo Ursula Edgecombe.
And in a moment, it got rocky.

It was as if they had suddenly hit a reef. She woke up to find him gone.

Then she remembered, of course he was gone, he had been gone since Wednesday, it was full moon that week.

But where was he? He was always back the morning of the fourth day.

He was probably just running late. She would make pancakes for breakfast, for a surprise.

She got out of bed and stopped. Something was wrong. That was the spot she always tripped. Why didn't she this time?

For one glorious moment she thought her clumsiness was gone.

Then she noticed it was simply the obstacle that was gone.

The handle of Remus' holdall, the one she always tripped up on was not there.

She flung open the doors of the wardrobe. There was nothing in there but her own spangled robes.

She breathed slowly. Maybe he had just gone to Grimmauld Place?

But why would he take his stuff?

She grabbed a cold chicken leg and Apparated to Number Twelve.

"Sirius!" No answer. "Molly? Arthur? Bill? Kingsley?" Nothing. "Alastor? Dumbledore!" she cried in desperation. Still nothing. "Anyone? Anyone one at all." Something answered back.

"GET OUT YOU FILTHY MUDBLOOD!" screamed Mrs. Black as her curtains flew open. Tonks shut them again and looked around. Why was no one there? Had they abandoned her?

She made her way up the stairs, checking each bedroom. No one.

"I don't like being here alone." she mumbled to herself.

"You're not," said a deep growling voice. She spun round and flew a Stunning Charm behind her.

Sirius flew back and hit the wall.

"Oh damn, Sirius, sorry!" she said running over and helping him up. "Thought you were a Death Eater!"

"Sure you weren't just cursing me for fun?" He said groggily.

"Sirius, where is everyone?"

"What do you mean, where's everyone? It's what, seven in the morning. There's never anyone here at this time but me."

"Oh. Yeah. But..." she paused, then carried on. "Where's Remus?"

Sirius frowned. "Why would I know?"

Tonks slid down to sit beside him, and put her head in her hands. "He's gone. Up and left in the night."

"Don't be silly Doreen," said Sirius. She wasn't exactly sure why, but this nickname had materialized a few months before. "He's probably just late back."

"No Sirius. He packed up. He's gone." Tears fell onto her cheeks.

"I'm sure he isn't Tonks. He's probably off somewhere for the Order."

"But I was at the last meeting." she sniffed.

"Well..." Sirius thought for a moment. "Listen, Mad-Eye will be here in a minute, he's got more plans of the Ministry for us. And then you need to get to work. Okay?"

She wiped her eyes. "Yeah, I'm just being stupid." she said bravely.

"Come here," said Sirius, seeing her misery and gave her a hug. "He'll be back, you'll see."

There was a crack and they jumped.

"Mad-Eye," said Sirius, giving her a hand and pulling her up.

"Alastor?" she asked, and heard the clanking of his leg on the stairs.

"Nymphadora!" he wheezed as he appeared. "You're needed, quick!"

"What's happening Alastor?" she asked.

"Bellatrix. They've tracked her. We need all the help we can get."

Her eyes widened. "Where?"

"Outskirts of Upper Flagley. She doesn't know the Aurors are there yet, she's using Polyjuice Potion."

"I'll meet you there." she said and Apparated straight to her apartment. She pulled a pair of dark robes over her head and shoved some shoes on. She grabbed her wand, and a bottle of Dittany from the fridge then Apparated straight to the village.

Kingsley met her there, and put a finger to his lips.

They were hiding behind what seemed to be an old baker's shop with peeling yellow walls. Tonks put her back to the wall and mouthed "Where?"

Very slowly Kingsley pointed into the square. Sitting by the fountain was what looked like a little old woman.

Kingsley took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. It read We need you to turn into her double and distract her.

Tonks looked at him and whispered "Are you taking the piss?"

Kingsley took out a biro and wrote Everyone knows that's her. We just need you to look like the real Bellatrix, just for a moment. She'll pause to attack you and we'll have her surrounded.

Tonks grabbed the pen and scrawled She'll just Disapparate.

We've got all Apparations to and from the square tracked.

Tonks realised it was necessary, scrunched up her eyes and turned into her aunt. It was her mother's face, but harsher, her mother's eyes but heavier, her mother's hair but darker and neglected. She gave Kingsley a scowl (all the more effective as it was on Bellatrix's face) and he whispered to her "Don't make a sound. Just walk into the square. Once we come out, you can attack."

Tonks took a deep breath and walked out into the square. At first the old woman didn't recognise her. Tonks suddenly thought "Why is she sitting at a fountain?"

The answer came to her all too late. Bellatrix caught sight of her and sneered. Tonks had just enough time to cry "It's a trap!" before there were Death Eaters all around. Somewhere, a Muggle woman screamed.

"Get down!" called Kingsley. Tonks ducked as jets of red light flew at her in all directions.

Each Death Eater was quickly confronted by an Auror, but they were amazing duellers. Bellatrix scowled at Tonks and Tonks shook herself into her usual looks.

"Nymphadora!" said Mad-Eye, who was suddenly just there. "Help them!" With his free hand he pointed to a huddle of Muggles caught in the middle of the square.

"Stupefy!" she shouted at Bellatrix before Mad-Eye took over.

She ran over to the terrified Muggles.

"I'm Tonks and I'm going to be your lifesaver today." she said quickly. "At the moment, Aurors, that's the team set up to fight dark wizards are fighting a gang of escaped criminals and their friends. Now if you could all get behind me. Protego!" a silver shield covered them all.

"Sorry about the inconvenience," she said.

"And who are you?"

"Dora Tonks, Junior Officer of the Auror Department. Yes, there is an underground community, rather, world of witches and wizards living in your country. I know it's a lot to take in, but- stupefy!" she aimed a stunning spell at Macnair. "After this, the Obliviators will wipe your memories."

"Can you get us out of here?" asked a woman.

"Once a space clears-pertrificus totalus!" she shouted at a hooded Death Eater. "Mad Eye! Alastor!" she called. "Sorry about this, people. We thought there was only Bellatrix. See the little old lady over there? Well, she's actually a powerful witch. My aunt actually."

"Then you're on their side?"

"Oh no, they disinherited my mother years ago. She married a Muggle-born," Tonks said conversationally. "That's you, you guys are Muggles. Perhaps some of you have wizard blood. This is a semi-magical town you know. Impedimenta!" one of the Death Eaters was thrown back by her curse. "Ooh, that was nice."

She pulled her wand arm back inside the bubble of the shield charm. "Ouch," she said rubbing her fore-arm. "Never try to break through a shield with manual force. Mad-Eye!" she called again, but Mad-Eye was busy.

"Mad-Eye?" asked a woman holding a baby.

"He lost his eye in a fight. And his leg. And part of his nose. Hasn't retired yet though. He's my mentor. Great guy, very into vigilance. Anyway, looks like he's too busy. Kingsley!"

But Kingsley was locked in mortal combat.

"I'm sorry, but until a gap clears..." she looked round. "I seriously hope that we don't get hit by any Unforgiveables..."

"What are they?" asked a terrified man.

"Curses. Death, pain and obedience."

"And the shield?"

"Won't hold up."

Whatever colour was left in the people's faces vanished.

"Look, I'm sorry, but this way at least-" A flash of red light hit them. The shield shook "They've spotted us!" Tonks said. "John!" she screamed. "John Dawlish, you had better help me get these people out of here or so help me I'll..." she paused. "Do any of you have a good threat?"

"No, but I think there's a good threat being posed to our lives!" said the woman with the baby, clutching her child tighter.

"Mad-Eye!" Tonks screamed, ignoring the woman as she saw the Auror fall. "Bellatrix you did not just-"

Rufus Scrimegeour was at his second in command's side.

"Scrimegeour!" He looked up and saw her. "We need to get these people out of here!" she shouted.

He looked round. Mad-Eye was down, and so were two other Aurors. Tonks grimaced.

"Scrimegeour!" Tonks called again.

Scrimegeour raised his wand slowly and blew a gap in a wall. Tonks looked at the Muggles.

"It's been nice to meet you all. Now, run!" She took down the shield and let them run past her shooting curses backwards towards Death Eaters who were aiming for the group. She got through the blasted wall and put a shield up behind her.

"Could you all please stay here, the Obliviators will be with you shortly."

"What if we don't want our memories wiped?"

Tonks paused and answered slowly. "Sometimes, things happen whether we want them to or not."

Outside, she saw Death Eaters running outside of the square and heard the pop of them Disapparating. They were gone.