for·tu·i·tous

–adjective

1. happening or produced by chance; accidental: a fortuitous encounter.

2. lucky; fortunate: a series of fortuitous events that advanced her career.

Origin:
1645–55; L fortuitus, fortuītus, equiv. to fortu- (u-stem base, otherwise unattested, akin to fors, gen. fortis chance, luck) + -itus, -ītus adj. suffix (for formation cf. gratuitous)

The word "fortuitous" is a very interesting one. It was originally a neutral term, meaning "by accident," but has since morphed itself a positive connotation, much like the word "lucky." There's an ongoing debate about which of these definitions is 'correct,' and the word is regularly used both ways; you must figure out the meaning of it from context, and I'm sure you can because clearly you're very clever. (You're reading this story.)

TONKS'S SUPER AWESOME PLAN:

1. act cool. you have just as much right to be there as everyone else. (for merlin's sake, don't trip over anything!)

Tonks's first meeting with the Order of the Phoenix was one of the strangest experiences of her life. It all felt very surreal. Kingsley wore an earring. Tonks wondered how she would ever be able to look at him at work again, knowing that in his spare time he wore earrings.

She tripped over something in the front hall and cursed up a storm. Fortuitously, a man caught her. Unfortunately, he smelled to high heavens and Moody called him Dung. More specifically, he said, "Get your hands off the girl, Dung."

At the top landing of the stairs, curtains blew apart, and a portrait of an ugly woman began shrieking. "MUDBLOODS AND BLOOD TRAITORS, RUINING MY HOUSE AND MY NAME!"

Kingsley glared at Tonks. "Good going; you've tripped over the umbrella stand!"

Or, at least, that was what Tonks thought he said. It was very loud. Needless to say, her foot hurt a great deal, and she was feeling quite cross with her colleague, so she shouted back, "What the fuck's an umbrella stand?"

2. don't get intimidated. really, this is point 1 with a different name. girl, you still regret not asking gideon crumb for his autograph and/or to marry you when you were sixteen and he was standing right there. grow some testicular fortitude, stat!

A tiny grey-haired wizard and a curvy witch with black hair shut the curtains, and by extension the portrait, up.

Tonks was ushered into the kitchen by Dumbledore, whose mere presence made Tonks so nervous she could barely breathe, and was forced into a seat at the dining table by a plump, red-haired witch who introduced herself as Molly Weasley.

When Tonks mentioned that she knew Bill and Charlie, Mrs. Weasley gave her an odd look and said, "Oh?" and Tonks was pretty sure if she blushed any pinker she would glow. Mrs. Weasley blushed herself and said, "Ah," and Tonks wanted to explain that things weren't quite like that, but she couldn't formulate the words.

Dung slid in across from her, and said, "So, you're the shapeshifter, eh? If you're ever interested in going into business—"

"She's not interested in any of your so-called business, you pathetic excuse of a wizard!"

"Now, now, Alastor," Dumbledore intercepted calmly.

3. be as friendly as possible because these are people who feel the way you do, and like ol' shackey said, this is about life and death and trusting others and all that shite.

Dung's eyes grew wide. "I was just trying to have a friendly conversation. And considering that I just saved the girl's life –"

"Why did you catch her, by the way, was she about to fall on somethin' you had your eye on?" Moody was getting louder. Dumbledore stepped in front of him.

"Alastor," he repeated. Moody and Dumbledore stared each other down for a long moment. Moody was the one who broke away. He shook his head.

An icy voice cut across the room. "Far be it from me to interrupt such an interesting display, but I believe that there are more pertinent matters at hand."

Tonks was surprised to see her former Potions professor standing in the far corner of the kitchen, lurking in the shadows like a black widow, and she was even more surprised to see him staring at her, a sneer growing on his face all the while.

Dumbledore turned to him. "Severus, you're free to go."

Tonks tilted her head and shot him a cocky grin. "Wotcher, Professor."

Without a word, he left the kitchen, cloak billowing impressively behind him. Tonks felt a brief flash of envy. She could never get anything to billow.

4. you've always wanted to make a difference. here is your chance!

Dumbledore looked right at her. "Nymphadora, your contribution to this society will be invaluable. Both Kingsley and Alastor have vouched for you, and I myself deem you to be very trustworthy." Dumbledore's eyes were kind behind his glasses, but then his gaze grew stern. "This is not a time for hesitation. This is not a time for fear. If you cannot dedicate yourself to this organization full-time, I highly suggest you leave."

Tonks wondered if Dumbledore could see inside of her, if he could hear all of her doubts and all of her fears. She thought of the list she had sketched out earlier, sitting cross-legged on her bed, and she felt her heart pounding in her ears as Dumbledore's blue eyes seemed to be sucking every single secret out of her.

5. please don't let them realise they've made a mistake

"I want to be here," she said at last, so quietly that she could barely hear herself. She didn't break away from the Headmaster's stare, and she saw the corners of his eyes crinkle.

"Good. Ministry employees are invaluable to the cause."

It all felt very surreal, being in this room with Albus Dumbledore, her favorite Chocolate Frog Card before she even realized he would be her headmaster. That she would somehow find herself amongst his chosen ... It seemed so unlikely. It seemed so surreal. It was so very, very surreal.

Fortuitously, the Professor didn't seem to notice that Tonks was feeling rather like she were in a dream, and he continued speaking.

"First and foremost, introductions are in order. You already know Hagrid, Minerva and Severus from school. And you met Mundungus Fletcher in the front hall."

Dung gave a tip of his bowler hat. Tonks gaped. "You're Mundungus Fletcher? The bloke whose file at the Ministry is this big –?" She made an exaggerated motion with her hands. Dung winked.

"Stop it, luv; you flatter me."

"An odd sense of pride," Moody grumbled.

"It is strangely impressive," Tonks admitted. Dumbledore nodded.

"That it is. But the most important thing to remember is that it is not one's past indiscretions that matter in a time of war: it is what they are willing to do in the moment."

Dung looked very proud at Dumbledore's declaration, and, if Tonks wasn't mistaken, his eyes were glistening. "You faith means a lot to me, ol' Dumbledore. That said, I reckon it's time for me to take my leave. It was nice to meet you, luv." He stood and glanced at Moody as if expecting him to say something. Tonks could tell that her former mentor wanted to, but he kept his mouth shut. Dung nodded, seemingly satisfied. "G'bye all."

"Goodbye, Mundungus," Dumbledore said. Tonks watched the small, smelly bloke leave, and out of the corner of her eye saw Moody clutching his hip flask so tightly that his fingers were turning red.

6. don't put your foot in your mouth. it's an interesting parlour trick, but otherwise it just gets you in trouble.

Dumbledore continued with introductions. "You've met Molly, and you said you know Bill. The rest of the Weasley children are staying here, as is Molly's husband, Arthur."

"There are children staying here?" Tonks asked, directing the question to Mrs. Weasley, who was busy chopping some lettuce with her wand. She visibly tensed, but said nothing. Dumbledore answered instead.

"The Weasleys are integral part of the Order of the Phoenix, and I give my word that they are just as safe here as anywhere else - in fact, I would say that they are safer."

Tonks blushed. "I really wasn't trying to imply anything."

"Of course you weren't," Dumbledore said kindly.

7. just try to stop being yourself at all.

Tonks attempted to ease the tension. "So, er, where are Bill and Arthur?" she asked in Mrs. Weasley's general direction. Once again, Dumbledore replied.

"They are both on guard duty at the moment, and I will ask that you sign up for duty as well. Remus will be downstairs in a moment to explain it all to you."

He pointed to where Kingsley stood next to the two who had shut the curtains earlier. "Here are Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones, two more invaluable members of the Order."

Diggle had taken off his hat and smiled awkwardly, blushing profusely. Jones put forth a hand; Tonks took it.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Tonks," Jones offered, beaming. "I feel like we've been discussing your introduction to the Order for quite some time."

"It's true," Dumbledore said in a tone of voice that Tonks couldn't quite decipher. "Now that things are moving, it is crucial that we are doubly careful of whom we recruit."

Tonks didn't know what he was talking about, but she didn't like hearing Dumbledore sound like that. It certainly didn't make her feel more at ease.

8. just stop it.

"I would place my life in Tonks's hands," Kingsley's deep voice said, and Tonks was stunned by his admission. He chuckled. "Close your mouth, girl; it's true."

"Don't get me wrong, Kingsley," Tonks said. "It's just ... my hands are awfully tiny."

"Tiny hands can do big things," Moody grunted. "Look at Potter."

"Yes, Harry's achievements are not to be overlooked," Dumbledore said in that odd voice once again. He turned back to Tonks. "You'll forgive me, Nymphadora, if there's not a proper meeting for your introduction to the Order."

"Of course, Professor."

He gave another smile. "Then I best be off. There are matters to which I must attend. Dinner smells delicious, Molly. It is a shame I cannot join in. Do you have any questions?"

Tonks realized he directed the last bit at her, and she tore her gaze away from Mrs. Weasley taking something out of an oven. She frowned.

"Shouldn't I take an oath or something? Isn't there some kind of ceremony?"

"There is something resembling a ceremony, but it is not prudent for you to endure at this time. The best thing for you to do is get your name on the guard roster as soon as possible. Good night, all."

Dumbledore nodded at everyone in turn, and left. Tonks watched the door close behind him, and then asked, "Where the fuck am I?"

9. look at point 1 again.

Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat, and Tonks became flustered. "Sorry... Er, I suppose I just wanted to know. This place is rather ridiculous, isn't it?"

Kingsley grinned. "You don't know the half of it."

He and Moody sat down on the either side of Tonks, while Mrs. Weasley continued to set the table. Jones and Diggle both had to leave, and Tonks suspected they were only there in the first place to meet her.

"Are there other members?"

"Yes, but not many. Dumbledore had some recruitment missions this summer, but not many people were interested," Kingsley replied.

"I remember the first time around, the Order was made up of nothing but Dumbledore's favorite kids from school. Of course, that made it all the worse when they started dropping like flies. You can see he's learned his lesson, what with no one from Hogwarts being allowed in now." Moody took out his eye and dropped it into a glass of water.

Tonks was too curious to be disgusted. "The Order was around during the first war?"

Moody looked at her like she was stupid. She tried not to look at the hole in his head.

"'Course there was an Order the first time around. It was made up of many brave people. Potter's parents. The Longbottoms'. Made up good, noble people. Much like this one, I reckon."

He sloshed his eyeball water around. He noticed Tonks staring at him. "What?"

"I don't think it's only your eye that's mad." Tonks sighed. "So where's this Remus I'm supposed to meet with?"

"Probably upstairs," Kingsley said, reading a Prophet he had gotten from somewhere. "Tell me this isn't the worst thing you've ever heard: Ministry approval levels at an all-time high, says the secretary to the Prime Minister ... There are always radicalists. But wizards suffering from delusions of grandeur should never be taken seriously."

Moody grunted disapprovingly and shoved his eye back in. Tonks frowned.

"Are they talking about Harry?"

"And Dumbledore, most likely. This is what I meant before, Tonks. Things are going to get worse." Kingsley looked very worried.

10. now look at point two.

"As if Harry suffers from delusions of grandeur! I've never met a more down-to-earth, kind boy in my entire life!" Mrs. Weasley said, shaking her head. Tonks raised an eyebrow.

"You know Harry?"

Mrs. Weasley smiled at her. "Yes, dear. He's Ron's – that's my youngest son – best friend. He's been over to my house several times. He quiet and shy, and he's lived a very sheltered life, and only people that don't know him could dare claim that he's as self-involved as The Daily Prophet and the Ministry suggest!" Mrs. Weasley sounded positively frazzled. Tonks had never really thought of Harry Potter as a real boy before, but suddenly she felt very sympathetic toward him.

"A sheltered life?"

Mrs. Weasley nodded. "He was raised by Muggles."

"Oh," Tonks said. She was tempted to ask why that was so sheltered. In fact, maybe being raised by Muggles wasn't very bad for Harry. He wouldn't have had to grow up surrounded by admirers, and he would get to enjoy television and computers and rock music. Merlin, Tonks had never been as depressed as she had been on her fifteenth birthday, when her father bought her a record player and it turned out it didn't work at their house because of all the magic.

"There's always someone watching over Potter while he's at the Muggles'," Moody said. "You should get signed up for that."

"That's the guard duty Dumbledore was talking about?" Tonks asked. "Guarding Harry?"

"And something else," Kingsley said, rather mysteriously.

"I thought once I joined this club, I'd get to know all the secrets."

"We'll let you in on the hand shake later." Kingsley winked.

"You two bleeding idiots shouldn't be joking about this."

"Sorry," Tonks said quickly. "But where is that goddamn bloke?"

Mrs. Weasley grimaced, but went on like she hadn't heard her. "I'm going upstairs to tell the children that dinner's ready."

"Go with her, Tonks," Kingsley said. "It may be awhile before Remus comes downstairs; he's been ill."

"Where is he?"

"I'm sure he's in his room, dear. He's staying here, as well," Mrs. Weasley said kindly, as if she'd already forgotten about Tonks's dirty mouth. "I'll show you."

Tonks followed Mrs. Weasley up the stairs and down the hallway. The curtains that covered the crazy portrait moved in and out, as if it were snoring. Tonks wanted to peek and see, but she didn't want to risk waking it up.

"Who is that?" she whispered.

Mrs. Weasley seemed not to hear her. "That's his room, dear. The last door. Give it a knock; I'm sure he'll appreciate not having to come downstairs. Once you're through, you're welcome to join us for dinner."

Mrs. Weasley approached a door on the other side of the hallway. "Ginny? Hermione?"

Tonks was tempted to stick around, to see some Weasley kids, but then she decided she was just being cowardly. She knocked on the door that was supposedly Remus's. No one answered straightaway, and Tonks wondered if she'd knocked loud enough. She was about to do it again, when a hoarse voice said, "Come in."

11. point three sounds worth noting, too.

Tonks opened the door. She didn't know what to expect; the house had seemed so dark and creepy, what with all the snakes. But this bedroom was exactly that, with a bed and a desk.

A man sat at the desk, facing the door. He had hair streaked with grey and he wore a light brown robe frayed at the seams and patched at the elbows. The only light was a flickering lamp on his desk; he was apparently in the middle of writing something, and he'd had his quill dipped in ink. Not a foot away from the ink well sat an empty cauldron, still smoking.

He looked up at her. She grinned nervously. "Er ... Dumbledore said something about guard duty ..."

He smiled. "You're Nymphadora Tonks," he said, just as kindly as Mrs. Weasley had been a moment ago. Tonks nodded.

"Come in, come in," he said, gesturing toward his bed.