AUTHOR NOTE: I tried to post this and Chapter Nine together so it's spread across two. Also, I'm having some fun with the Hallows but what the hell, authors prerogative. Enjoy :)
Tonks happily completed her days patrol, even managing to keep her patience with Russell crapping on about his newborn daughter Jade and maintained her sunny disposition even when he took a long lunch leaving her with all the reports to do. In fact, she still had a smile on her face when she and some of the other Aurors for the day were summonsed into Amelia Bones' office. Unfortunately, the smile didn't last much longer than that. She, Keyes, Dawlish and Brand stood in the office trying to maintain polite exteriors while Senior Undersecretary to the Minister Dolores Umbridge launched into a monologue.
"Aurors, I have been discharged from the hospital today and met with the Minister to have arrangements made for an arrest to be carried out on the ringleader on a group of unruly students who attacked me prior to the end of term while I attempted to secure the school. I understand the hit wizards have been putting out feelers to locate her but have been unable to do so since the demise of her muggle parents."
Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me. Tonks caught eyes with her boss and shot Bones a pleading look whos eyes widened in recognition.
"The ringleader, a muggleborn, is quite good friends with Harry Potter who is held in quite an admirable position by society given his heroic actions prior to school ending when he and the Weasley children, the Lovegood girl and the Blacks intervened and attempted to save some innocent people from an attack by Death Eaters. Given the situation, her arrest will need to be kept quite low-key and she will be held in Azkaban until her trial."
Tonks took a deep breath, trying to not explode at the stupid woman before her threatening her universe. "Are you referring to Hermione Granger?"
"Yes, well put together Auror Tonks."
"I understand that Hermione Granger was also a part of the group that attempted to save the innocent people from a Death Eater attack and that they were, in fact, attacking and did successfully murder her parents."
Umbridge narrowed her eyes at Tonks. "Are you trying to make a point, dear?"
"Yes. Why is Hermione being arrested and the other students who attacked you are not?" In her peripheral vision she could see Amelia place her head in her hands.
"I have explained, and the Minister agrees, that an attack on a Ministry representative cannot go unacknowledged. We understand that Mr Potter has quite enough on his plate if the rumors of him being the Chosen One are correct and to arrest the other children from well-known magical families would be frowned upon by society as a whole. Miss Granger is clearly the ringleader of the group and poses quite a danger to Mr Potter particularly if the articles from Rita Skeeter around the Tri-Wizard Tournament last year are to be believed. In this circumstance Miss Granger is well suited to send a message to others in her position that attacks against the Ministry won't be ignored."
"Dolores, don't you think that given the situation with her parents being killed and the stress this would put her under that you could simply let the matter pass? It seems as though you would be better suited to following through on this in a school setting, given her age, and simply giving her detention" Amelia asked incredulously as Tonks began shaking with barely concealed rage.
"And let muggleborns think that they can get away with attacking those above their stations? I think not" she scoffed. Tonks saw red and took a step forward and made to draw her wand before she felt Russell place a hand over her mouth and drag her towards the door.
"'Scuse us Madam Bones, Madam Umbridge, Auror Tonks here is still a bit pale and shaky, getting over a head cold. I'd hate for her to pass it on to Madame Umbridge here while she's only out of St Mungos a day I might take her to get a nice glass of water and a sit down" he said hastily and pulled her from the room nodding to the head of the DMLE.
"Russ let me the fuck go so I can go and kill that stupid cunt" Tonks growled as her mouth was uncovered and tried to struggle out of his grip back towards the office.
"Woo up there Tonksie come have a fag with me love. Can't have you getting arrested for attacking her too. Maybe the little Granger girl has the right idea" he chuckled dragging her onto the conjured balcony and sticking a lit cigarette in her mouth and holding her by the shoulders. "Now whats got you all in a tizz then?"
"I'm dating her" Tonks said, unable to come up with a lie in her state as she inhaled deeply. Russell laughed heartily.
"Sure can pick them, love. Tell me about her." He grinned as her expression softened.
"She's amazing Russ. Just the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on, honestly. Inside and out. Biggest heart I've ever known on a person, it blows my mind how much she cares about people. You should hear her crap on about house elf rights. And Merlin, she's so smart. A force to be reckoned with. She'll be the Minister for Magic one day" she said resolutely.
"Not if she gets arrested for attacking Umbridge she wont" Russell said firmly. "But we won't let that happen, will we love? Sounds like you've finally found a good match. The one, I reckon. Like me and my Sophie."
"I think you're right mate. Christ, what the fuck am I going to do? I'll be damned if I arrest my own girlfriend. Or let anyone else arrest her" she growled.
"Well she's a smart cookie apparently. What would she tell you to do if she were here?"
"Depends if she's had a coffee yet or not, and she's been pretty feisty lately" she snorted. "But given its 3pm in the afternoon I reckon she would tell me to get back in that room and find out all the details so she can work on a plan or let Amelia Bones do her thing. She's always been fair, she wouldn't let anything bad happen to any of the students if she had a say in things."
"She seems a smart lass. Why don't you do a Floo Call now while everyone is distracted and give her a heads up love?"
"I might. Can you cover for me?"
"Course Tonksie."
Tonks made her way to the Floo and stuck her head in, whispering 'Murrook' and smiled as Harry's head appeared.
"Wotcher Harry. Hermione around?"
"Yeah...she got in a bit of a shouting match with Mrs Weasley over how much work Kreacher was doing and left in a bit of a huff. I'll send a Patronus for her. How's work? Everything alright?" Harry asked in concern taking in Tonks' pale demeanor and angry black hair.
"Yeah mate, it's alright just...Umbridge is trying to stir up some stuff to get Hermione in trouble and I wanted to give her the heads up."
Harry pulled a disgusted face.
"Tonks I have a list about a mile long of things wrong with Umbridge but if you prefer I can just come in and curse her."
"Whats this about Umbridge trying to give Hermione grief then?" came another voice and Ron's face appeared followed by an irate looking Ginny who demanded Ron move over.
"What? Who's doing what now?" Came Andromeda's voice who forced her way into view. "Oh hello darling."
"What are you all doing over here?" demanded the voice of Bellatrix as she squished herself over Ron's head.
Russell turned from his position in the doorway and snorted as Tonks guestured wildly and tried to get all the heads hanging out of the grate to be quiet.
"Shut up the lot of you! You'll get me in trouble" she scolded. "Where's Hermione?"
"Why do you need kitten? Whats wrong?"
"Oh! 'Ermione ees coming, she was just in zee pool cooling off. 'Ello Tonks" Said Fleur who appeared and smiled warmly. Tonks put her face in her hands and groaned loudly.
"Shut it before Umbridge hears you!"
"Umbridge? Wasn't she that horrible toady git in the year above mine at school who works for the Minister now?"
"Yeah Bella, she's trying to get Hermione in trouble for what happened before we went to Oxford to try and help her parents!"
"What 'appened before Oxford Ronald?"
"Well...Hermione might have threatened her and we all might have hexed her a bit. But she's horrible! She had it in for Hermione since she gave her firm talking to for being rude to Luna and she makes the students write lines with these bloody awful quills that cut your hand!" proclaimed Ron loudly.
"Blood Quills!" came the voice of the twins in the back ground before they squished their heads through as well.
"What?" demanded Bellatrix, Andromeda, Fleur and Tonks simultaneously.
"What are you all doing?" came Hermione's voice sounding muffled before she obviously managed to crawl underneath someone and stick her head into the fireplace. The angry faces of Harry, Fleur, Andromeda, Bellatrix, Ron, Ginny, the twins and Tonks all looked at her and she winced. "What?"
"What's going on here then? Theres a dozen arses hanging out of the fireplace" came the voice of Sirius and Russ, who had been standing in the doorway watching the theatrics as well as the corridor for Ministry staff, burst into a fit of the giggles.
"Well, it seems zat Tonks ees wishing to speak to 'Ermione regarding a Ministry employee who she rightfully assaulted by ze sounds of eet who ees trying to cause 'er problems at zee Ministry. Zis 'Umbreedge' 'as been having students use Blood Quills in detention and 'Ermione 'ad not mentioned zis to any of the adults here which 'as caused zem to become, how you say eet? Irate?"
Hermione turned to glare at the Weasleys and Harry who recoiled. "Which one of you told Tonks about the Blood Quill?" she hissed. Ron hesitantly raised a hand and winced as she thumped him.
"Oh no! You don't get to blame them for this! Why didn't you tell me she made you use a Blood Quill?" Tonks demanded angrily.
"Wait, so Umbridge actually had Hermione use one?" Sirius interjected incredulously. "I thought it was a horrible thing to do but surely Hermione would never get detention!"
"Tonks! Get out of the way, I'm coming through. Andy where my knife?!" Bellatrix demanded.
"What? No! Bugger off the lot of you! Let me talk to my girlfriend, no one's coming through anywhere!" Tonks insisted only to be pushed roughly aside by Bellatrix who in turn was shoved aside by everyone else who had been in the fireplace.
"I'll kill her! Where is she!" shouted Bellatrix.
"I'll kill you Ronald Weasley!" Hermione growled at Ron who paled stepped behind Ginny who rolled her eyes.
"OI! Umbridge is in a meeting with the Head of the DMLE about 5 meters away! Can we bloody not kill anyone in my office please?!" Tonks hissed and smacked Russell on the shoulder as he remained watching the corridor giggling.
"I still think we should kill her. No one hurts the family" Bellatrix said firmly and Sirius nodded, cracking his knuckles menacingly. Andromeda nodded and pulled her wand. Harry looked up at Sirius who gave him a menacing grin and Harry pulled his wand out as well. Ron stepped forward from behind Ginny.
"Where Harry goes, I go" he said firmly and gave his brothers and sister a look who patted him on the back in agreeance. Fleur shrugged and put her hair up with a hair tie in preparation.
"Um, excuse me everyone, she didn't actually use the Blood Quill on me" Hermione interjected impatiently. "I mean, she tried, but it didn't work, I just wore gloves and never touched it so if anything I tortured her. No need to get all murder-y."
"That's not the point!" Bellatrix said angrily. "How dare she do that to anyone, let alone you kitten!"
"Perhaps instead of murderin' her you could all just go and give the old bitch a piece of your mind?" suggested Russell from the door.
"Russell Keyes you are not helping!" snapped Tonks.
"I agree with zis man, let us go to zis Umbreedge and put 'er in 'er place. She will soon know not to mess with zis family."
"I like you more and more each day Frenchie" smiled Bellatrix patting her on the back.
"You aren't even all related!" cried Hermione in exasperation as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Let's all just take a minute here, please. As touching as it is having you all defend my honor or whatever this' - she waved a hand gesturing at the irritable group - 'is, let's not go and invoke a blood feud or something."
"That's an excellent idea!" cried Sirius.
"No it's not!" yelled Tonks. "No blood feuds!"
"Hermione, darling, you've been part of the family since I first met you and you and Nymphodora helped Bella get out of Azkaban" Andromeda said kindly.
"I did not hear that, no I did not." Russell giggled from the doorway before looking to Tonks and sighing. "Oh alright, go on then." Tonks raised her wand.
"Obliviate!"
"Nonsense 'Ermione! You are meant to be with Tonks, I can see zee bond you share is very strong. I share such a bond with William. And soon Harry and Ginny will also share zis bond which will bring zee Potter, Black, Delacour and Weasley family togezer!"
Ginny and Harry both looked at each other and flushed, quickly looking away.
"Oh Circes tits this is a disaster" Tonks moaned.
"Enough of this nonsense, lets go!"
The posse stormed from the room and looked around the hallway before looking at Tonks to point them in the right direction who crossed her arms and glared at them only to see Russell in the corner of her eye point to the door at the end of the corridor.
"I hate you" she growled.
"I don't know you but I don't particularly like you at the moment either" sighed Hermione in resignation.
"I am so mad at you" Tonks said looking at Hermione whose eyes had filled wiith tears.
"Ah come on now Tonksie, how can you stay mad at that face" Russell cried gleefully. "Can't be upset with, what was it you said, the most beautiful woman you've ever seen inside and out? I'll give you two a minute "
Tonks turned to glare at him as he walked away and Hermione shifted uncomfortably but blushed prettily regardless.
"I'm so sorry, Tonks. I didn't want to worry you with everything else that was happening. I forgot about it to be honest with everything that was going on...I'm so, so sorry. Please forgive me."
"Baby, the fact that that fucking woman even dreamed of trying to do that to you makes what Bella would do to her look like childs play" Tonks said firmly. "I was already about to kick her ass into next week and that was before Russ dragged me out of the room before I could get myself sacked."
"I...I'm slightly more fond of him then" Hermione sighed. "I don't have any more secrets from you, I didn't even mean to keep that one for any length of time. I meant to tell you after that detention but when I saw you it just went right out of my mind, I don't care about anything else as long as I have you." Hermione gazed at her intently, seemingly unaware of the tears running down her face.
"I understand, it's been a rough few months" Tonks whispered looking at the ceiling and trying to swallow the lump in her throat. "It's just been such a fucking whirlwind with you of all these horrible things you've had to do and deal with and still you just keep soldiering on and putting everyone before yourself, mixed up with how bloody happy I am when I'm with you, I've never felt anything like it. The thought of anything happening to you makes me want to vomit and knowing that you could have been tortured by that fucking cunt of a woman just turns me into...well this" she rambled, rubbing at her eyes.
"Nymphadora Tonks I thank my lucky stars every day when I wake up knowing you love me" Hermione whispered into her chest and Tonks threw her arms around her, sniffing loudly.
"God we're a fucking pair aren't we" the pink haired witch choked out, putting her chin on Hermione's head. "Never do that again."
"I won't, I promise."
"Damn right you bloody promise."
Hermione giggled a little and looked up at Tonks before decisively wrapping her arms around her neck and giving her a bruising kiss. Tonks quickly reciprocated and felt herself being shoved back against the wall as hands slipped under her shirt.
"Oh fuck Hermione" she whispered, feeling teeth latch onto her neck, tangling a hand in her hair and pulling her closer.
The sound of a loud bang startled them and they looked at each other and Tonks groaned.
"Merlin's fucking beard I suppose we better check they aren't all being carted off to Azkaban" Tonks sighed and gave her eyes another wipe with the back of her hand and placed a chaste kiss to her girlfriends lips.
0x0x0
Hermione strode down the hallway towards the sound of the yelling and released Tonks' hand, squaring her shoulders as she opened the door. Russell was in the corner with the Weasleys and Harry, all visibly trying not to laugh while Amelia Bones was staring coldly at Umbridge with her hands steepled, who had backed into a corner while apparently being berated simultaneously by Andromeda, Bellatrix, Sirius and Fleur.
"How dare you speak in such a way to a Ministry Employee?! I am Senior Undersecretary to the Minister!"
"Miz Umbreedge, I am sure zat you are aware of my family's pozition in zee French Ministry, I can assure you zat should word spread zat you have been attempting to torture innocent children in zeir place of learning ze Duc would be most displeased and it would be a seegnificant strain on zee relationship between France and Britain."
"Forget bloody France – no offense Miss Delacour – I am Harry's godfather and he considers Miss Granger a close friend, do you really want to have a strained relationship between the Ministry of Magic and the Boy-Who-Lived?" Sirius asked incredulously. "Where's the Minister? I wish to speak to him!"
"Cornelius has better things to do with his time than - "
"Shut up!" yelled Andromeda. "Hermione Granger is my ward, and has been since her parents passed away. Should you not have tried to detain her they may very well still be alive you insignificant, worthless woman. Let me be frank, any attack made on Hermione is an attack on my family."
Despite her utter disdain for Umbridge even Hermione winced as Umbridge scoffed.
"Oh, as horrible as a slight against the Tonks family may be - "
Bellatrix, who seemed to have been pacing around like a caged lion behind the trio pushed her way through the group and stood nose to nose with Umbridge who, finally, seemed to realise the danger she had put herself in and visibly paled but maintained her defiant look When she finally spoke it was quiet and held a venom Hermione had never heard.
"Umbridge let me make myself very, very clear. Hermione Granger saved my life.I owe her a life debt and if you so much as contemplate harming a single hair on her head there will not be a place on Earth you can hide from me. I would relish the sound of your screams and I would spend the rest of my life and yours slowly and painfully making you wish you had never been born. Send me to Azkaban or throw me to the Dementors. Tie me up and hand me to the Dark Lord. I. Don't. Give. A. Fuck." she hissed dangerously. "Everyone who stormed into this room ten minutes ago is my family and the Blacks are not renown for their kindness or patience. They are known for their loyalty."
Something in Ubridge seemed to snap and she screamed back in Bellatrix's face "The Blacks are known for their Blood Purity! You are as much a worthless blood traitor as your sister and cousin over there! Look at yourself, in the company of half-breeds and blood traitors defending a worthless mudblood!"
The sound of what sounded like a small explosion went off as every person in the room excluding Amelia Bones and Hermione cast a curse in her direction. When the haze from the room cleared Umbridge lay on the floor with smoldering robes sprouting an assortment of boils, pustiles, bat bogeys, tentacles and several ailments Hermione couldn't recognise. She sighed loudly and put her face in her hands.
"For gods sake. Get out of the way the lot of you!" she snapped. "Go and sit down before she dies and I have to spend the rest of my life visiting you all in Azkaban." The occupants of the room froze and stared at her incredulously. "NOW please!"
Hermione's magic crackled around her angrily and she was pleased to see everyone begrudgingly walked over to the long table Amelia still sat at silently watching and looked suitably chastised as Hermione knelt down next to Umbridge and after preventing her robes from fully catching alight began muttering counter curses and, when the last mark disappeared, renervated her.
"Would you like me to call someone to help you to St Mungos?" Hermione asked with forced politeness, offering a hand to help her up as the occupants of the room stared at her incredulously.
"Don't touch me mudblood" Umbridge spat and pulled herself to her feet as Hermione held a hand up in the air to prevent another onslaught of spells.
"Don't expect me to ever save you from your own bad choices and prejudices again" Hermione said firmly. "You've been given a chance to let this go and I suggest you take it, I won't be showing you this kindness in the future."
Umbridge spat at her feet and stormed from the room with as much dignity as she could manage and Hermione sighed. Everyone jumped as Amelia Bones stood up.
"All of you, sit down and wait here quietly. Miss Granger, Auror Tonks, take a walk with me."
"If you arrest them I'll bloody - " Bellatrix mumbled incoherently as Ginny wrapped a hand around her mouth.
"Neither of them are under arrest. We will be back in a few minutes."
Tonks and Hermione wordlessly followed Amelia out of the office and took a seat in a smaller room on a lounge. Hermione nervously reached for Tonks' hand who gripped it back tightly. Amelia raised an eyebrow.
"Right. This explained a lot" She sighed, gesturing to their clenched hands.
"Boss, I'm so sorry I never meant for all of that to happen, I tried to tell them not to come. I take full responsibility for it though." Tonks said sincerely.
"If anything, Madam Bones, its my fault" Hermione said, noticing the panicked look on Tonks' face as she came to accept the fact she had just hexed the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic in front of the head of her Department. "If I had been honest about the Blood Quill from the start we wouldn't have had so many heightened emotions, I can't blame them for acting that way they all have quite well known...er...passionate feelings."
"Tempers, you mean?" Amelia snorted.
"Uh, yes." Hermione agreed.
"Lets start at the beginning. I was waiting in my office with Dolores when a room full of angry people walked in and started screeching about Blood Quills. She's been using Blood Quills at the school?"
"Yes. In detention. She has students write lines using the Blood Quill." Hermione said honestly.
"And she tried to have you use a Blood Quill and you…refused?"
"I wore gloves so it never touched my skin. She touched it last so it cut her hand instead of mine."
To her surprise, Amelia swore loudly. "I can't believe Susan never told me."
"Erm, with all due respect, Madam Bones, Susan is a good student and isn't the sort to get herself in trouble with Professor Umbridge. She mostly had it in for the Gryffindors and, well, mudbloods" Hermione sighed.
"Don't say that about yourself!" Tonks said firmly.
"I must agree with Auror Tonks here, Miss Granger. My Susan speaks quite highly of you, you know. She speaks of your talent often. I am aware you often tutored her in Charms. She credits you with her stellar marks last year." Amelia smiled kindly as Hermione blushed.
"I think it was mostly Susan, Madam Bones. She barely needed any help at all."
"You are too kind, Miss Granger. Of course, she also spoke highly of a blue haired 7th year Hufflepuff who I believe hexed a group of 7th year Slytherin students into submission who attempted to bully her in her first year though she was unaware, of course, that it was Auror Tonks here." Tonks flushed as much as Hermione which caused Amelia to snort loudly.
"You two are quite a pair. Let me cut to the chase. I have no interest in pursuing legal action against either of you. If anyone asks me, of course, I will deny saying this - but I have desired to hex Umbridge for quite some time and I'm not entirely certain I would have helped her afterwards like Miss Granger here. I am prepared to drop the matter entirely and assure you that Miss Granger will certainly not be arrested on my watch and I will see to it that Umbridge does not return to Hogwarts however I cannot permit a group of furious adults and teenagers to storm my meetings and assault my collegues no matter how much they deserve it. I will also have Albus Dumbledore's hide for not protecting his students. Are we understood?"
"Yes Madam Bones."
"Of course, boss."
"Now I sincerely doubt that Umbridge will follow up on this after today and I will be sure to explain to the Minister what she has been doing at the school but know this Miss Granger – the woman can hold a grudge. I would be prepared for retaliation if the opportunity presents itself" she warned. "On that note, it seems likely the Dark Lord will make a move against the Ministry at some point in the future. Can I be assured you will all be safe and have adequate security?"
Hermione and Tonks looked at each other before Hermione spoke up. "We have 40 acres in the muggle world under the Fidelious charm with room for about 100 people. I consider our security top notch. In fact if you or Susan require a place to go I'm prepared to give you this emergency Portkey. Mr Moody works reception, I'm sure he would be happy to let you in" she said, giving her two of the rings, pleased she had taken to carrying a few spare with her.
"Reception?" Amelia asks incredulously.
"He takes his role very seriously" Tonks said with a laugh. "You'd have to pass his security quiz first but I'll let him know you're on the list."
"Thank you ladies, I will pass one on to Susan this evening though I sincerely hope we don't need to use it."
"So do we, Madam Bones. Actually we are having a bit of a get together before Hogwarts starts up again in a few days and you are more than welcome to join us."
"Thank you Miss Granger. Now please excuse me while I berate the occupants of the boardroom. Auror Tonks, you're dismissed for the afternoon."
0x0x0
The evening progressed nicely and Amelia and Susan had, in fact, shown up and were joined by Augusta Longbottom and Neville as well as the Lovegoods. McGonogall and Snape had taken it upon themselves to visit as well. Moody had interrogated them all thoroughly before allowing them access and took it upon himself to organise the friendly dueling match firstly for the students before the adults. Hermione, much to Tonks' delight, had come out second for the students having been narrowly defeated Harry for the title of champion and they had sat down together with a view butterbeers and chatted while the stage was set up in the hall.
"I can't believe what Bella worked out with my cloak!" Harry raved. "I can make it bigger or smaller, I can make it unsumonable. I can wear it under my normal clothes like a weird full body jumpsuit thing all the time and just tap it to make it work!"
"What can I say Potter, I'm very clever" Bella had laughed. "I've never seen an Invisibility Cloak like it before, its very special. Where did you get it?"
"It was passed down to me by my father, apparently its an heirloom" Harry explained and Tonks frowned.
"What? They usually only last a few years. Thats bizarre."
"Sounds like one of Hallows" Bill laughed.
"One of the what?" Hermione asked.
"You know, 'Mione. Like the tales of Beetle the Bard. Nursery rhymes and stuff. The Hallows were from the story of the three brothers."
"Oh, I've never heard of them" Hermione asked interestedly.
"I've got a copy somewhere sweets, I'll give it to you."
"Thank you" Hermione smiled sweetly.
"Anything for you my love" Tonks replied with a wink.
"Disgusting, aren't they?" Sirius nudged Bill with a wink and he snorted.
"Those two terrify me even more than my fiancée. I'll never say."
"Wide lad" Bella smirked. "When's it my turn to duel? I'm getting bored!"
"In a bloody minute Black, we're waiting for Lupin to get here" Moody growled.
Tonks was eventually advised she would be dueling Amelia Bones in an hour and went for a walk around the garden with Bella and Hermione who had located Ginny sitting on a bench in a huff.
"Whats wrong Red?" Bellatrix asked as Ginny muttered about the incompetence and unobservant nature of men under her breath.
"It's just bloody Harry. It doesn't matter how much I flirt with him he just doesn't respond."
"How are you flirting with him?" Hermione asked. "Is it direct enough? He can be a bit...oblivious. I just don't think he sees you as a...sexual being yet."
"It can't hurt to just be direct Gin. I, for one, managed to snag Hermione by throwing her Chinese food on the floor and sticking my tongue down her throat in her kitchen" Tonks offered, grinning at the memory.
"Seriously?" Ginny and Bellatrix asked in unison as Hermione flushed and looked pointedly away.
"Oh look, Professor Lupin is here" she said in an attempt to redirect the topic.
"And such a straightforward approach worked for you often?" Bellatrix drawled.
"It worked about as often as it didn't" Tonks replied with a laugh. "Thankfully I have no intention of needing to be so direct any more as Hermione lovingly puts up with my shite." She pulled Hermione in and placed a chaste kiss on her head. "It didn't, however, work at all on 'Professor Lupin' over there who looked at me like he might vomit when I asked him out to dinner."
Bellatrix looked where Tonks was pointing towards and her eyes lit up.
"Well, he's certainly grown up from being Sirius' little motley looking friend" she mused and Tonks turned to Hermione with amusement on her face.
"Bellatrix Black are you eyeing up Lupin? Notorius rejector of flirting?" she asked incredulously.
"Please. If I flirted he certainly wouldn't reject me. It's been a long time since I've been with a man, ladies. I'd say its time to break the drought" she preened.
"I don't know, Bella. He's quite handsome in a...rugged sort of way but Mum's never know him to be with anyone and she tries to set him up all time time" Ginny warned as Bellatrix continued to size him up.
"Pish posh, Red. It's time for Aunty Bella to teach you how to flirt, ignore this one and her less than subtle attempts. Tell me everything you know about him" she demanded imperiously.
"This is going to be hilarious" Tonks whispered to Hermione as Ginny recounted every bit of information she had ever heard about Remus Lupin.
"Shush, no it isn't! I think Bella's ego has the potential to be quite fractured when he turns her down" Hermione hissed.
"Oi, I heard that! Ye of little faith" Bellatrix said. "Watch and learn ladies." She sauntered slowly towards him and the girls all glanced at each other before shrugging and silently creeping through the bushes to spy more closely.
"What are you ladies doing in the bush?" came a stern voice behind them and they jumped to see McGonogall eying them suspiciously.
"Shhh Professor, Bella's hitting on Remus! She's teaching Gin how to flirt!" Tonks whispered as Ginny flushed.
"No!" McGonogall said quietly, mouth agape. "He is a notorious rejector of flirting. Professor Sinestra and Professor Babbling tried the entire year he was at Hogwarts and he barely raised an eyebrow!"
"Thats what I said" Tonks hissed back. To her amusement McGonogall quickly ducked into the bushes and crouched to join the trio in their spying. Tonks snorted as Bellatrix approached and tried to chat to him while he backed against a wall looking vaguely uncomfortable.
"What are you doing in zee bushes?" came the voice of Fleur from behind them as she strolled past with Andromeda who were quickly and quietly filled in and with only a moments hesitation crawled in to the shrub as well.
"Remus ees quite a 'andsome man, zo not as 'andsome as my Bill of course. Zey would make an attractive couple" Fleur whispered.
"It will never happen" Tonks whispered. "He turns down everyone. I would have thought he was gay except I've overheard him talking to Sirius about the sorts of birds he finds attractive."
"Overheard or eavesdropped?" Andromeda asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Definitely eavesdropped" she replied with a wink as her mother swatted her arm.
"He hasn't made an excuse to leave yet, maybe she's in with a good chance?" Hermione asked.
"Absolutely not. I'd bet money on it" Tonks replied resolutely.
They were soon joined by Amelia and Susan Bones who joined both the bet and the group from the bush with Andromeda and Amelia being the only two to say that Bellatrix would succeed in her task with the rest being a firm no.
"I'm telling you girls, Amelia would remember Bella at school. No one she had her eye on would get away unscathed." The two older women gave each other a knowing look.
"The problem is" Hermione explained to Susan who was somewhat confused "He is a werewolf and a lovely man but he avoids any form of affection, he thinks himself unworthy which is ridiculous."
"I think you might be right Hermione" she murmured as Bellatrix reached out to touch his arm and he visibly flinched. Tonks felt a flicker of sadness that her aunt wasn't succeeding in her first go at being on the pull in over a decade, despite openly betting against her. Then, to her shock, things began to change.
"What...what is she doing?" McGonogall asked in surprise as Bellatrix pulled a strange squinty smiling face at him showing all her teeth and tilted her head to the side.
Harry walked past with Sirius and Ginny, seeing Lupin's eyes flash suddenly' shrugged and stepped out of the shrub and pulled a mirror image of the face at Harry who recoiled looking highly concerned before making an excuse to leave.
"Look at all you cackling hens in this bush. What the hell are you doing?" Sirius asked incredulously.
"Look!" Andromeda replied. "Bella is trying to seduce Remus Lupin!"
"It will never work!" said Ginny crossly, folding her arms at the sting of rejection from Harry. "How can that stupid face she's pulling attract anyone?"
"Fuck me! She's not trying to attract him shes trying to speak to the wolf! It's going to work too, look at him!" Sirius barked out a laugh and crawled into the shrub next to the women, perching himself next to Amelia who he winked at and grinned as she blushed.
"What, like, 'my, what big hands you have grandmama' Little Red Riding Hood shit?" Tonks asked incredulously as Hermione's eyes lit up in understanding.
"No, look Tonks! She's submitting like wolves do! Its a mating habit!"
"God sweets, I know you like to know a lot about everything but wolf mating habits?"
"Quickly, lets get closer!" McGonogall whispered hurriedly and they quietly crawled through the shrubbery to get within earshot.
0x0x0
Bellatrix grinned as Lupin's eyes flashed yellow and he subconsciously took a step towards her. This was a delicate operation and she would not be rejected. It had been years since she had been attracted to anyone and, if she was being frank, she couldn't remember a time where she had ever felt so attracted to anyone at all. She ran her eyes over him slowly and resisted a strong urge to manhandle him.
"I...I don't know if this is a good idea, Miss Black" Remus said sincerely though with his uncrossed arms, straightened shoulders and eyes she could see he was certainly fighting a battle against himself.
"Its Bella, please. Now why wouldn't this be a good idea?" she asked, twisting a curl between her fingers and tilting her head again. His eyes flashed yellow breifly for the third time in as many minutes.
"I, I can be...not very safe to be around, Bella. You are certainly a beautiful woman, please don't think I am not interested because, well, I am. But I...I'm old. I'm poor. Most importantly, I find it safest for everyone to mostly keep to myself in a – well a romantic sense." Concern crossed his brow as she snorted at him.
"I'm Bellatrix Black."
Lupin stared at her and she sighed before continuing.
"Remus, I'm older than you and a multi-millionairess. I was married to a Death Eater. I was Lord Voldemorts right hand lieutenant for years. I worked closely with that mutt Fenrir Greyback and I was, in fact, the one to set up his protections on the occasions he stayed home during the full moon. I survived over a decade in Azkaban. I'm not saying I'm perfect, why I'm probably as dangerous as you without your Wolfsbane Potion on the full moon any day of the week. But I can assure you my safety is not a concern here" she said with a smirk. "So, take me to dinner?"
Remus stood, clenching and unclenching his fists for a moment while she waited as patiently as she could before, finally, he conceded.
"I think you're right, Bellatrix. If anyone can be look after themselves, it would be you. I would very much like to take you to dinner. Tomorrow night?"
"Perfect" Bellatrix beamed at him and allowed a feeling of warmth to flow through her before giving him a wicked grin. "Just a kiss goodnight then."
She tried not to swoon as he pecked her cheek and beamed back at her.
"Until tomorrow." He jumped slightly as the bush next to them appeared to erupt and blushed deeply as a pack of women came streaming out beaming at him and quickly scampered away as Sirius ran after him and howled like a wolf with calls of 'you old dog!'.
"You just cost me 30 galleons!" Tonks cried though her eyes were alight with joy. Bellatrix fought the urge to gush and simply pulled Ginny towards her and offered her a smirk and a wink.
"And that Red, is how we flirt".
Bellatrix could only grin as her sister came sidling up to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Look at you, Bellatrix Black. Still got it after all these years."
"I know, he's quite dishy isn't he?" she laughed.
"You should have seen Amelia swoon!" her sister replied with a laugh.
"Mum I think we all swooned" Tonks replied cheekily.
"You see Miss Weasley, you jumped too soon pulling that strange face at Mr Potter. You should have waited for the whole lesson!" McGonogall instructed.
"Shut it, all of you!"
"I would be 'appy to offer you some suggestions to seduce 'Arry if you would like? On ze condition, of course, zat you mention nothing about eet to Molly."
"Thank you Fleur, I would appreciate that!"
"Well done Bella, you have a date!" Hermione whispered as she stood next to her amidst the pack of delighted women. "I'm so happy for you!"
"That's 'cause your a soft touch, kitten" Bella replied with a grin as Hermione squeezed her hand. "But thats acceptable, I'm feeling quite lovey dovey myself at the moment."
"You deserve it" Tonks said quietly to her Aunt and smiled sweetly at the older witch.
"Oi, Black, time for your duel!"
"Time to spill some blood!" Bella cried, tearing off towards the hall.
"Aand the lovey dovey moment is gone" Tonks snorted as Hermione wrapped her arms around her.
"Thats alright love, you can go spill some blood now too and we can have a lovey dovey moment later" Hermione chuckled.
"Alright, you're on."
0x0x0
Hermione, along with everyone else, could only stare open mouthed as Bellatrix destroyed every person she had been pitted against in some of the most amazing dueling ability most of them had ever seen. As the evening had progressed she had grinned smugly when Moody had conceded that perhaps it would be more fair if Bellatrix took on two or three people at the same time and she had managed to take out Molly, Lupin and Bill, followed with more difficulty by Tonks and Amelia Bones. When Tonks had finally been renervated and had shaken her aunts hand in congratulations Bellatrix had simply cackled madly at them all, her eyes wild, and twirled her wand cockily.
"Alright Bella, no need to be ungracious" Ted had said quietly and Bella had promptly nodded at him and quietened down.
"Winning with grace has never been Bella's strong point" Andromeda had snorted and Bellatrix had shot her a wink.
"Come on then Andy, you haven't had a turn yet. Fancy a go?"
"Not a chance, sister of mine" Andromeda replied with a laugh. "I wasn't half bad back in the day but I've never managed to beat you in a duel and I don't see the point in setting myself up for a fail now."
"Ah come on Andy" Ted said reassuringly. "You had the same training as Bella, you might get lucky. Plus it would be a sight to see, the Black sisters in battle."
"The last duel between those two I witnessed was as a Professor and it would certainly be nice to have it take place in a purposefully designed hall as opposed to my destroyed classroom" McGonogall offered dryly. "It certainly was a sight to behold though."
"Come on Andy, I'll go easy on you" Bellatrix pleaded.
"The hell you will!" Andromeda growled. "I have more dignity than that. Ah fine, you're on. Lets put on a show, shall we?" She sighed and shrugged off her robe, waving her wand experimentally. "This bloody thing's felt a bit funny for the past few months though."
"Excuses, excuses" Bellatrix smirked and Andromeda narrowed her eyes as she stepped onto the platform. The two witches bowed deeply and jumped into dueling poses and after a pause magic erupted from their wands with a ferocity Hermione hadn't seen since Dumbledore and Voldemort had dueled the night her parents had died.
As fond as Hermione was of Andromeda and was aware of her talent, she had no doubt that everyone expected Bellatrix to wipe the floor with her. Hermione watched carefully as Bellatrix concentrated more intently the longer the duel went on and flung spells through the air like machine gun fire, however Andromeda simply batted them all away and returned her own with flourish. After a few minutes, the longest duel by far against the dark haired witch, the ground shook after Andromeda gaped with surprise as Bellatrix found herself disarmed.
"What?!" Bellatrix erupted and Andromeda looked around in surprise before handing her sister back her wand.
"Huh. I wasn't expecting to actually win" Andromeda mused. "Ah well, good fight Bella."
"Again! Can we go again, please? I was going easy on you" Bellatrix pouted.
"I know you were at first, but I beat you fair and square! You were putting some effort in at the end dear" Andromeda offered with a grin.
"Have you been practicing in secret?" Bellatrix demanded incredulously.
"No! Oh course I haven't. Clearly I'm simply a better duelist" Andromeda winked as Bellatrix screeched in frustration.
"Please Andy can we go again?" Bellatrix begged and Andromeda shrugged.
"Sure thing, Bella. I probably just got lucky, I haven felt my magic like that in years."
The two took position and bowed again before Bellatrix quickly launched into a tirade of offensive spells as they danced around the platform, a look of intense concentration on their faces. Hermione watched as Bellatrx's grew increasingly irate and sweaty as she dodged and cast before she shrieked in rage after half an hour of neither of them conceding an inch.
"Dora! Get up here and help me curse your mother!" Tonks looked at Hermione who shrugged and gave her a push and Tonks jumped up beside her aunt.
"Sorry mum" Tonks laughed.
"Traitor!" Andromeda cried playfully before pausing to wipe her brow. "Alright, lets get this over with then."
Hermione noticed the mood of the room shifted from surprise to genuine amazement as neither of them were able to land a hit on her mother in law.
"Go Andy!" Hermione yelled and Andromeda, still looking surprised as her wand arm flew through the air as if it was a possessed entity, shot her a grin.
"Someone else, come and help us!" Bellatrix yelled in frustration and the Weasley twins grinned and made their way towards Tonks and Bellatrix and added to the steady onslaught of spells being flung her way. Andromeda had stopped casting offensive spells, simply working on defense, and as minutes passed and the duel came close to an hour in length three quarters of the occupants of Murrook were standing and flinging spells as Andromeda backed into a corner and deflected all their spells.
"What the hell is happening?" Andromeda shouted incredulously over the sounds of the spells erupting around the room. "How am I even doing this?"
"I have no idea!" Bellatrix cried. Her unhappiness at being defeated seemed to have passed on to genuine curiosity and eventually Bill Weasley stood on a chair and whistled loudly, a curious look on his face.
"Oi! Knock it off you lot. I have a theory." The group rallied around him and he whispered something in Tonks' ear who shot him a confused look but quickly rushed off to their villa, returning a few minutes later as everyone sipped at their drinks and attempted to cool down and avoided discussing the elephant in the room – how Andromeda Tonks had managed to duel over a dozen people to a standstill at once without there being a scratch on her. Andromeda herself looked amazed as Bella looked over her carefully and with concern etched across her face for her sister.
"Alright everyone, who here is familiar with this?" Bill asked, brandishing The Tales of Beetle the Bard, the book he had mentioned earlier this evening Hermione noted with increaasing curiosity. "I'm going to read a story in here. I know its just a fairy tale but hell – I'm a curse breaker. I've seen and heard whispers of things much stranger than the stuff in this book. Listen up." He quickly recounted a story about three brothers and their attempt to avoid Death and Hermione watched as he looked at Harry, who in turn was looking at the Cloak he had willed into his fingers with shock.
"Wait, wait. You think Andy, my Andy, has the Deathstick? The Elder wand?" Ted asked in surprise. "But her wand isn't even made of Elder wood!"
"Forget that, I haven't dueled anyone in about a decade" Andromeda said, rolling her eyes. "It's felt a bit...funny. But that's only been a few months. There has to be another explanation, Bill. My last proper duel was years ago when I lost my temper with drunk Ludo Bagman trying to hit on me in front of Ted. Surely Ludo Bagman can't have ever been in possession of the bloody Elder Wand."
"I remember that" Ted chuckled, wiping his eyes as he laughed. "A bloody sight to behold it was, you magnificent creature."
"Yes, and a fat lot of help you were" Andromeda scowled.
"You've never needed my help in your life my love" Ted grinned and Andromeda rolled her eyes again but squeezed his arm warmly. Hermione smiled at the sight before a thought struck her.
"Dumbledore!" She proclaimed.
"Eh?" Bellatrix inquired.
"Dumbledore! When you got out of Azkaban Dumbledore visited, remember? Andy disarmed him the second he walked through the front door!"
"Ooh! Interesting!" Tonks said brightly. "That makes some more sense, the Elder Wand might have, like, changed allegiance or something? That might be why Dumbledore keeps sending you little love letters trying to talk you into joining the Order."
"I don't know if I believe in this nonsense, lass" Moody growled. "How can we be sure?"
"Why don't you duel Andy while she has a different wand?" Lupin offered, offering his own wand. "If that one works for you, try it? Try and duel someone without using that particular wand." Andromeda shrugged and grabbed at it.
"It's obliging enough, thank you Remus. Here, Bella, hold the fancy wand."
To Hermione's surprise and pride Bellatrix threw Andromeda's Oak wand a concerned look and stepped back away from it.
"No! No. I wouldn't...trust myself with it" she whispered, shaking her head and Andy's surprised look softened.
"I'll hold it" McGonogall said stepping forward and Andromeda placed it into her hand tentatively as McGonogall held it at arms length with a look of mild concern, as if expecting it to burst into flames.
"Alright, lets try again shall we?" Andromeda asked, nerves crossing her features as she strode back towards the dueling platform. Bellatrix nodded and appeared relieved five minutes later to have got a stunner through her sisters defenses and helped her younger sister to her feet.
"Andromeda, you'll have to be...very careful with this" Augusta Longbottom spoke up in warning. "This would paint quite a target on your back. Power corrupts, after all."
"Madam Longbottom is correct" Snape said quietly. "It might be an idea to have us all forget about this" he trailed off as several people nodded.
"How about a vow?" Harry offered. "One of those Unbreakable ones so we can't speak of it to anyone. It's safe from legilimency too isn't it?"
"That's safer" Hermione said softly. "It will be good for those we trust to know, I assume currently the only one who knows Andy has it here other than the people in this room is Dumbledore. It will let us keep an eye on things. He might want it back." She placed an appealing hand on Tonks who growled.
"Does anyone else feel like they are missing something pertinent here?" Amelia Bones asked loudly as Xenophillius Lovegood nodded in agreement.
"A vow, then a talk is due I believe. If we are going to handle the Dark Lord before he takes over the Wizarding World the more help we have, the better." McGonogall said with a sigh and lead the group towards the dining hall.