Chapter 6 - Paradise

A/N: This chapter is titled after the song of the same name by Coldplay and is an homage to the ABC program 'Revenge' as it was the song used for the Australian promos leading to the shows release here. Revenge is a theme to the next chapters (NOT the TV show just the idea of revenge).

Kingsley was working at the Ministry when he was called to Rufus Scrimgeour's office.

"Sir, how can I help?" Kingsley asked as he sat across from his boss.

"It seems that we are dealing with a breakout from Azkaban," Scrimgeour stated.

Kingsley nodded, "I was aware sir. That's what you have had us working on. The recapture of the prisoners was listed as of the highest priority."

"Yes, I am aware of my orders Shacklebolt. I have new information. Information that is for your eyes and ears only. I mean it Shacklebolt the information that I'm about to reveal to you is for no one else to know," Scrimgeour said sternly.

Kingsley was all business now, "yes sir. You have my word that no other soul will know of this information." 'Except for Albus Dumbledore' Kingsley added in his head.

Scrimgeour studied him quietly for a moment before speaking again, "don't ask any questions until I finish and most importantly do NOT ask me how I have this information."

Kingsley nodded, "of course sir."

Scrimgeour again regarded him before speaking again, "alright. I have information that Bellatrix Lestrange, one of the escaped convicts, is seeking revenge on her family. Specifically anyone in her family who is not pure-blood or she considers to be a traitor to pure-blood's. I assume that you can guess where I'm going with this. Nymphadora, her daughters, and her parents are in danger. I do not want her to know of this danger. It would tip off Lestrange and cause her to act sooner. We need to have a plan in place to capture her at the right point. We will protect them from a distance. I know that the two of you are close so I want you on lead for this, I'm also going to call in Alastor Moody. I know that he will have an insight into how we can protect Nymphadora, after all he trained you both. I am making this case priority 2 with priority 1 being the recapture of all of the convicts. Do what you can and what you must to protect the Tonks family."

Kingsley nodded as he took in every word that his boss spoke, "I will do my absolute best sir. What do I tell people who I require to help?"

"I will be briefing Alastor myself. I will also need to ved anyone you choose to be a part of this taskforce," Scrimgeour said.

"I have a few ideas sir however only one would be an Auror," Kingsley said hesitantly.

"Alright, who?" Scrimgeour asked simply.

"Arthur Weasley, he's a good friend of Tonks' and could be an asset. Claudia Lou is Tonks closest female friend in the Ministry. Alastor, myself and Tonks partner will round out the rest of the team," Kingsley stated.

"Partner?" Scrimgeour questioned.

"The man whom she is dating and in love with," Kingsley supplied.

"I need a name Shacklebolt," Scrimgeour's voice rose slightly.

"Sir I will not reveal anything to him however I will let him know that he needs to be with her daughters at all times when Tonks isn't with them. He adores the girls and does not need to know of the threat, he will do a better job protecting them than anyone else," Kingsley informed.

Scrimgeour looked annoyed but nodded his agreement, "fine. If he wants more information Shacklebolt then you send him straight to me."

"I will sir," Kingsley agreed even though he knew he was lying through his teeth.

Even after working with Scrimgeour for years the man could still not tell when Kingsley was lying.

"If that's all sir, I'd like to get a start," Kingsley requested.

"Of course. Keep me updated Shacklebolt and I'll speak with Mr Weasley and Miss Lou after my briefing with Alastor. All I ask is that you send them my way before you make your arrangements," Scrimgeour said.

Kingsley nodded and headed towards Claudia's desk, "Scrimgeour wants a word with you after he finishes speaking with Moody."

"I'll head right there when I see him leave," Claudia said as they watched the man in question walk into their boss' office.

Kingsley nodded and continued on his way to his own office where he sent his patronus with a message to Arthur requesting a meeting in his own office.

Albus had recently shown the Order how to hide their patronuses from view of unwanted eyes so that Tonks, Arthur, Alastor, and himself could communicate about Order business while at work. The enchantment also prevented anyone from hearing what the patronus said other than the person whom the message was intended for.

It didn't take long for Kingsley to get an affirmative response and it didn't take long after that for Arthur to enter Kingsley's office.

"Kingsley," Arthur spoke as way of 'hello'.

"Arthur," Kingsley responded.

Arthur sat across from Kingsley as Kingsley pressed a button under his desk which put the office into secure mode. It was a Muggle invention that Arthur had helped Kingsley install for his office. No one in the Ministry could know that it was there, it wasn't possible to detect.

"What's going on?" Arthur questioned.

"Bellatrix is after Tonks' family. I'm going to head to see Albus shortly to brief him. Scrimgeour is going to brief you. I don't want Tonks or Padfoot to know until it's absolutely necessary or at least until I can figure out how to protect them," Kingsley briefly explained.

"Good thing they're staying at Grimmauld," Arthur said then realised, "Andromeda and Ted."

"Yeah, I'm not worried about Padfoot and the girls they'll be safe at Grimmauld. Andromeda and Ted on the other hand are why I'm going straight to Albus after this conversation. We need a plan to keep them safe. I'd say the same for Tonks but we both know how that'll work out if we attach a protection detail to her," Kingsley said.

Arthur chuckled, "I certainly wouldn't want to be there when someone informs her that she needs a protective detail."

Kingsley chuckled in response before speaking seriously, "that's why having Alastor working with us could definitely help. If there is one person in this world whom Tonks will listen to it's Alastor."

Arthur nodded, before he could say anything more however they both noticed Claudia leave Scrimgeour's office and Kingsley's intercom request Arthur's presence in Scrimgeour's office.

Kingsley motioned for Arthur to leave the room after he disabled the secure mode to his office.

Arthur walked towards Scrimgeour's office while Kingsley headed for the lifts and the exit.

Kingsley took a fireplace to his own home before taking his own fireplace to Hogwarts, a direct link to Albus' office.

"Sorry for the intrusion Albus but I have information that could be useful," Kingsley said after he had looked around the office to ensure they were alone.

Albus motioned for Kingsley to take a seat on the other side of his desk.

"What have you learned?" Albus asked.

Kingsley then explained to Albus everything that Scrimgeour had told him about Bellatrix and her intentions for Tonks, Sirius, Andromeda, Ted, and the girls. Even though only Tonks, her parents, and her daughters had been mentioned by Scrimgeour.

"I agree this is an issue," Albus sighed, "we need a way to protect Andromeda and Ted without giving away that we know what Bellatrix is planning. On that topic we need to get more information about what it is that Bellatrix is planning."

Kingsley nodded, "Scrimgeour is briefing Arthur, Alastor, and Tonks friend Claudia. I'll send Claudia to stay with Andromeda and Ted. Claudia and Tonks have been friends since their days here at Hogwarts, they went through Auror training together. Claudia has fallen on hard times more than once in her life and always ends up staying with Andromeda and Ted during those times, she's like a second daughter to them. This way they won't be aware of anything being wrong and Claudia will be able to protect them."

Albus smiled, "I'll organise Order members to keep an eye on Bellatrix, I have a few ideas of where she could be hiding. In the meantime we ensure that Sirius and the girls do not leave Grimmauld Place. Nymphadora will be a different story. I expect yourself and Alastor to be with her at all times when she is not at Grimmauld Place."

Kingsley nodded, "we won't leave her side. Scrimgeour will ensure that one or both of us are with her at all times. We'll have protective charms around Andromeda and Ted's house in case Claudia is needed at the Ministry although I doubt that Scrimgeour will call her in unnecessarily."

"That's good to hear. I will call an emergency meeting for this evening at Grimmauld Place," Albus said.

"Albus there's one more thing," Kingsley hesitated.

Albus waited for Kingsley to speak.

"Scrimgeour, he doesn't want Tonks to know about Bellatrix coming after them," Kingsley sighed.

"Well we'll ensure that Nymphadora stays silent about it at the Ministry. I've seen her in action, she is a great actress," Albus smiled.

Kingsley chuckled, "her Metamorphmagus skills certainly help her with that."

"I'll call the meeting, you ensure Andromeda and Ted's safety in the meantime. Be at Grimmauld Place as soon as you can," Albus said.

Kingsley nodded, "yes sir."

The two shook hands before Kingsley took the floo back to his own home.

Kingsley then returned to the Ministry and informed Claudia of his plan for her to stay with Andromeda and Ted.

Claudia grinned and agreed without hesitation, after she lost her parents Andromeda and Ted were the closest she had.

With this part of his plan on track Kingsley went to find Arthur and let him know that there was to be an Order meeting that evening.

Now the hardest part, telling Tonks that her crazed aunt wanted her and her loved ones dead. Kingsley had no doubt that Remus would be added to that list when Bellatrix learned of his relationship with Tonks.