A/N: First of I have to mention… The story has flown past the 100th review mark! So thank you everyone who has supported this story so far and I hope you continue to do so:) And now… I have to apologise, I was going to reward you all with a very lovely Honks section… But they chapter was already as long as the previous before it was even half way finished! So yeah, didn't want to try cut bits short and cram it into one… Don't kill me but that Honks moment has been pushed to the next chapter along with the return of Morgana and well… That's a secret. As a result this Chapter may be a tad slow, with a sizeable dialogue scene as the first half was meant to build up to the second :) Well… Enjoy anyway!

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter and the original storyline are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling.

Read and Review if you enjoy it please ^^ I'll try update soon.


Chapter 11: Slughorn's Trophy Blacks

Tonks emerged from the fireplace in McGonagall's office in a fit of fury, mumbling to herself and kicking out at the nearest inanimate object which she instantly regretted when her foot throbbed with pain. A loud sharp cough snapped Tonks head in the direction of McGonagall's desk where the older witch who had been sitting and marking papers was now frowning at her.

The older witch let out a low sigh of irritation to herself as she put her quill down, giving up on marking the papers before her and stared up at Tonks. "I take it things didn't go so well?"

"I'm nothing like Bellatrix!" Tonks blurted out at the top of her voice, the words coming out before she could stop herself. McGonagall was clearly surprised by Tonks's outburst and looked puzzled while Tonks silently scolded herself for saying that out loud, knowing full well she wouldn't entirely be able to explain her comment. 'Great… I've put my foot in it now…' Folding her arms across her chest, she looked away and pouted.

"Do you want to take about it?" McGonagall asked in an oddly polite and informal way.

"Not really." Tonks dismissed her offer quickly with a sharp tongue and turned to leave the office only to be stopped by yet another sharp cough.

"Very well… But aren't you forgetting something… Again..." Standing up and walking around the room McGonagall indicated to a small mirror on the sideboard. Taking a glance, Tonks frowned at her appearance, 'This is getting tiresome.' She thought bitterly and closed her eyes, Tonks willed herself to change… But nothing happened; she tried again but still nothing, as if she had hit a wall inside herself, a mental block. Tonks was unable to focus; her body was too conflicted, in too much turmoil with her emotions running amok.

"I can't…" She groaned to herself.

"I thought that might be the case, take a seat." McGonagall said sternly and pointed to a chair by the fireplace. "You need to cool down."

"But-"

"Sit."

Reluctantly Tonks dragged her feet over to the fireplace and dropped down into one of the seats with a huff, while McGonagall rummaged through a cabinet and pulled out a bottle and two glasses which she placed on the small table between the chairs. McGonagall poured out two glasses of Butterbeer and handed one to Tonks. "Here, drink up. Then you can tell me what's going on."

Tonks took the glass and stared deep down into the warm yellowy liquid, swirling it about childishly between her hands while she contemplated what to say and what she was able to say. 'How much can I divulge? That's no memory from the Memoirs, it's mine… But it stemmed from what I saw…" "Me and my mum… we had a fight…" She sighed and took a sip of the drink which straight away brought a mild sense of relief to her body; she thought back over her argument with her mother and started to regret what had happened as her anger slowly but surely, started to subside. 'I shouldn't have shouted at her like that…'

"Well I guessed that much Miss Tonks... Why were you fighting?" McGonagall asked calmly while she took the other seat and helping herself to a drink. Despite seeing McGonagall do so before, it always felt odd to Tonks, seeing the stern witch enjoy such a simple pleasure.

After taking another sip of her own Butterbeer, she searched for the right words to explain what happened. "The topic…" Tonks stopped abruptly as she came up against the impenetrable barrier of the magical contract, restricted in her choice of words and phrases; she had to think hard and carefully about her choice of words. "…Of her childhood came up, and Bellatrix… It… It went downhill from there, and she ended up saying I was like her… How could she compare me to that… that Psychopath!" Tonks almost started to yell as she her anger briefly returned.

"I see…" McGonagall frowned and looked into the fire as if lost in thought before turning back to the angry young witch. "Are you sure she meant it in a negative way?"

Tonks stared at her with a blank look on her face, utterly perplexed at how someone like McGonagall could ask such a seemingly stupid question. "What do you mean? How could it be anything but negative?!" Tonks almost snapped back but fought hard to control her temper, if this was McGonagall's idea of calming her down, it wasn't working as Tonks felt herself starting to get more and more irritated. 'Seriously has everyone lost their minds?'

"Well… Perhaps she was comparing you to Bellatrix Black, not Lestrange." McGonagall paused to study the look on Tonks's face and sighed as Tonks continued to look baffled. "I've known Andromeda for a long time Nymphadora, and not once have I ever heard her talk ill of her sisters, not even with indifference… Pained, maybe. So I doubt she meant it as an insult."

Tonks frowned and was tempted to retort quickly with a snappy comment but again controlled her tongue as she played McGonagall's words over again in her head. 'She has a point… Mum never speaks badly about them… But I still don't see the positive.' "No… Neither have I…" Tonks said as she let out a sigh as she grudgingly agreed with her. "She seems to believe that there is a difference between Bellatrix Black and Lestrange… And she chooses to remember her as the former…" Tonks went on to say after a short silence, this time in a calmer and curious tone. "Is there a difference?"

"To most people no. But to your mother and to those that knew her as Bellatrix Black, like when she attended Hogwarts then yes." Tonks noticed how McGonagall's voice became distant as she spoke, as if she was talking more to herself while reminiscing. "I taught both your mother and your aunts when they attended Hogwarts, and out of the three of them… Bellatrix was a very different person back then."

"How so?" The words rolled quickly of Tonks's tongue as her curiosity was peaked.

McGonagall sighed and shook her head. "You know Miss Tonks." The all too familiar stern tone had returned to the older witch's voice as she went on to lecture Tonks. "You could go back to your mothers and sort things out, and then ask these questions. You'd get a better idea from her then from me."

"I can't…" Tonks said with a groan, she couldn't go back… Not just yet, she felt too ashamed now about what happened. Snapping at her mother before giving her a chance to explain, Tonks knew she might not like the answers she would have heard yet still let her feelings get the better of her. Now as punishment for her rash behaviour, she now had more questions than answers.

"Can't? Or won't?" The older witch let out a deep sigh and muttered something to herself. "Well you defiantly share your aunt's stubbornness…" Tonks wasn't sure if that comment was meant for her ears and kept quiet this time, although she was unable to hide the fresh frown that formed on her features. "How much do you know about your mother and aunts as youngsters?" McGonagall went on to ask another yet another short silence.

"Next to nothing…" Tonks half lied with a pout, what she did know she couldn't share. "I know abit about my dad… But not my mother."

"I see… Would it put your mind at rest if you knew a bit about them?"

"What?" Tonks stared at McGonagall; unable to understand why the stern professor was being oddly understanding, wondering why she'd take the time to help her. 'Hmm… Perhaps she's worried this will interfere with my work if it's not settled…' "I… Guess… Yes."

"Very well…" McGonagall placed her glass down and stood up, heading over to the door and taking out her wand. "I'm still not the best person to ask, but other than your mother… There is one person here who'd be able to give you a good idea. Professor Slughorn, he used to teach them too and was also their head of house."

'My potions Professor?' "But… He doesn't know my identity, does he?" Tonks asked cautiously as she wondered if letting him in on the secret was a good idea.

"No, so you'll have to make sure he keeps it quite." McGonagall's lips pressed tightly together and frowned, as if she too was wondering if this was such a good idea. "I'll be back shortly." She said with a sigh and removed the wards before leaving the room; Tonks heard the door lock behind her before the sound of footsteps faded away from beyond the room.


Tonks waited in the office, slowly drinking her Butterbeer as she pondered over her thoughts. She couldn't put her finger on it, but McGonagall was acting strange, or at least she thought so. The older witch was being far too accommodating, 'Why is she doing this for me? Is it purely for Order reasons? Or is there another motive hidden at work?' Unlike her mother, McGonagall didn't think too highly of Bellatrix, she knew a lot of the people who had suffered at her aunt's hands. She had lived through the first war and knew full well about the terrors Bellatrix and the other Death Eaters got up to back then. Yet she was prepared to show Tonks, Bellatrix in another light. 'Why?'

She found that she didn't get too long to think over her thoughts as the sound of the door being unlocked came 10 minutes later. Seconds later the door opened and a surprised Slughorn was ushered quickly into the room with a short stumble followed by McGonagall who quickly locked the door and placed the usually charms on the room.

"Minerva! I'm not as young as I used to be. What's with the sudden rush old girl?" Slughorn asked with a mixture of surprise and amusement, obviously he hadn't noticed Tonks sitting in the room as he straightened himself and watched McGonagall finish placing the charms. "Anyone would think you got something to hide."

McGonagall frowned when she turned to regard the equally as old, bald wizard. "Enough with the old Horace." She didn't answer his question and instead walked past him towards her desk, as his eyes followed her, he saw Tonks sitting by the fire. "I believe you are familiar with Miss Petit here."

"Miss Petit? Aimée Petit?" He asked with a confused look as he scratched his head. "You don't look like Aimée… Oh I see… Polyjuice accident? I can soon have that fixed up."

"Hello Professor." Tonks said with a small smile before she then turned to McGonagall and exchanged looks, both frowning while they silently decided who should speak first.

In the end it was McGonagall who took the lead after a short silence. "Not quite Horace. You see Miss Petit here, is actually an undercover Auror called Nymphadora Tonks." She said in a casual matter-of-fact tone of voice, hearing it out loud slightly unnerved Tonks. This would be the first time she'd be explaining her identity and situation to someone who wasn't in on the plan from the start and she was nervous yet also keen to see how Slughorn would react.

"What?" Slughorn just blinked and continued to scratch at his bald head in confusion before lightly chuckling. "Surely you're having me on?"

"Please, it's just Tonks…" Tonks added first before shooting a glare at McGonagall. "And no, my job here is to keep an eye on Harry and protect him." She flinched slightly and forced down a gag as her admission brought the taste of bile up her throat.

"But… You're my student?" To Tonks's annoyance, Slughorn seemed unable at first to wrap his head around the conversation as he asked seemingly obvious questions. 'Not his fault I guess… It's not exactly a normal situation.' "Does the boy know? From what I've gathered, you two seem pretty close."

Tonks broke eye contact with her Professor, not wanting to show how ashamed she felt and took a long drink from her glass. "No… It was decided…" She paused after stressing out her last word as she grit her teeth. 'Not my decision...' "That it would be in Harry's best intentions if he didn't know."

For the first time since entering the office, the vacant and confused looks disappeared from Slughorn's face as he finally comprehended the situation. Instead they were replaced with looks of disapproval. "I must say… I don't think Harry will like this if he ever found out… No not one bit."

Tonks wanted to agree with him, but knew that that wouldn't help matters nor change them. "We are at war Horace, we all must make hard decisions and sacrifices…" As if sensing Tonks's doubt, McGonagall stepped in and stated with cold indifference. "Miss Tonks here is potentially risking her friendship with Harry to ensure his continued safety."

"I see… Yes of course, sometimes a heavy price has to be paid for the greater good…" Slughorn's expression shifted yet again to a more sombre one as he agreed with his colleague, much to Tonks relief. 'That's a good sign… I guess… Although he's not as effected by my… Deception… Unlike how Harry would be…' "I don't envy you Miss… Tonks was it?"

"I trust you will keep this information to yourself Horace, for Harry's sake?" McGonagall asked him, mustering up all her authority in her tone.

"Of course." Slughorn seemed to relax abit and began moving about the room, surveying McGonagall's possessions on the shelves which earned him a glare from the owner which he didn't notice as he picked stuff up. "But I'm guessing you didn't drag me here to tell me this did you?"

"No that's quite right." McGonagall said with a sigh, rolling her eyes at her colleague's nosiness. "Miss Tonks here is a Metamorphmagus, but in her current state she's unable to use her abilities, which is where you come in."

"A Metamorphmagus? Now that is fascinating, and very unique… Wait, Tonks?" Slughorn said with the usual jolly attitude he used when he heard something interesting. Then he almost dropped the crystal goblet he had been inspecting as realization suddenly dawned on him. "You wouldn't by chance be Andromeda and Ted Tonks's girl would you?"

"I am." Tonks couldn't help but crack a smile as Slughorn's face lit up with glee. 'Good to see the mere mention of my parents can evoke such a reaction, a good sign.'

"Oh splendid! How are they both? I haven't heard from them in the longest time."

"They are fine thank you." She replied with another warm smile and was about to elaborate, but the look on McGonagall's face suggested for her to get to the point. "Actually my mother is the reason why McGonagall brought you here… I'd like to know more about her and… Her sisters…"

The colour drained from Slughorn's face as he flinched at the mere hint of her aunts. 'Hmm… Perhaps his memories aren't as… fond? As McGonagall believed.' "I can do that… But are you sure?"

Tonks paused for a second, thinking about it then nodded. "Right, well I got some things to do, so use my office till I'm back…" McGonagall interrupted briefly as she gathered a few bits from her desk and headed for the fireplace. "Oh and Horace, try not to get carried away, Miss Tonks doesn't have all night and does need to return to her post soon." The older witch briefly looked at Tonks and gave her a small reassuring smile before disappearing into the fireplace. 'Strange… Why did she take the fireplace?'


There was a short silence while Slughorn continued to look over the contents of the room while Tonks drank from her glass, considering her first question. "Did you know them well?"

"I thought I did…" Slughorn had a dismal expression on his face and spoke quietly. "But I guess not, seeing how your aunt's turned out…"

"Try to forget… How they turned out, what they've become…" Tonks felt oddly sorry for the older man, he had watched them grow up for 7 years and most likely had high hopes for them. Only to see Bellatrix become a monster. "Just, focus on them as you knew them at school… Please."

"Very well." Slughorn said with a sigh but first he headed over to McGonagall's cabinet and after a short rummage, pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey and a couple of glasses. Taking the other seat by the fire he poured himself out a glass then offered one to Tonks, but she turned it down with a silent wave of her hand.

He leant back in the chair and took a long drink from his glass and stared into the flames as Tonks watched him closely. "Well… Where to begin, I'm right in guessing Minerva told you I was their head of house back then and taught them?" He asked Tonks, looking at her from the corner of his eye and she just gave a small nod.

"Well… They were exceptionally gifted witches, among the best I've ever taught… But out of the three of them, Bellatrix was in a league of her own." Slughorn paused to take a drink of McGonagall's firewhiskey and to Tonks, seemed to have a proud smile on his face. "She was a very driven and determined young girl, unsocial most of the time but when she wasn't, she was largely a pleasant person, belief it or not she was rarely aggressive or cruel."

"Rarely?" Tonks's eyebrows rose in surprise and scoffed to herself. 'Hard to belief.'

Slughorn seemed to either ignore her reaction or didn't take notice as he elaborated. "Mmm, her sisters were the motive behind her drive; she was incredibly protective and possessive over them. If anyone said anything against her or tried to challenge her, she usually ignored it… But if someone said or did something against her sisters… Then she became a fearful sight." The image of a furious Bellatrix assaulting Rodolphus flashed in her mind.

The old potions master rocked in the chair as he drank and peered into the fire, Slughorn was muttering to himself quietly as he seemed to become lost in thought. Tonks didn't disturb him and instead thought over what Slughorn had so far said; it was nothing entirely new… But hearing it from Slughorn put a new light on it. She still didn't entirely believe the images Morgana had shown her, despite how real they felt and what her research had told her about them being infallible. And her mother would always be biased so what she said couldn't be wholly believed… But Slughorn, he had no reason to deceive her, to cover for Bellatrix. 'Three completely different sources… Hard to believe that all three would make up stories about Bellatrix…'

Tonks attention was drawn back to Slughorn as he cleared his throat with a cough and carried on talking. "Your mother on the other hand was, for a Black, uncommonly kind and helpful. She would mix with people from all houses and all backgrounds; she could make friends with anyone." He said in a cheerful tone, turning to face her and gave her a warm uplifting smile. She couldn't help but smile in return, that sounded just like how she had pictured her mother at school. "I remember her best friend, she was a muggle born… Hmm what was her name…? Dora, Dora Watson, yes… That's it. Although at first Dora hated your mother, not because of anything your mother did but because of how the Black family saw people like her. It wasn't till the fight did they set aside their differences."

Tonks froze and shiver went down her spine upon hearing her mother's supposedly best friend's name. "Dora?" She repeated in a low tone, mostly to herself but Slughorn heard and nodded as if to confirm it. 'Dora… Am I named after my mother's best friend?' "What happened?"

"Well like I said, they had a fight. Or I should say, Dora had a few choice words for Andromeda while Dora's friends cheered her on… Andromeda ended up in tears and then…" Slughorn paused for a second as he sighed and took a drink, but Tonks could guess where this was about to go, she saw what happened to people who upset her mother. "Then Bellatrix found out and all hell broke loose, she attacked Dora and her friends. Even at that age Bellatrix was an extraordinarily talented duellist, they didn't stand a chance and Dora was put in the Hospital Wing for a few days."

For a few moments, Tonks felt divided. 'If Dora and her friends randomly upset mum just because of her heritage… Then they deserved abit of payback… But it really didn't call for Bellatrix to go as far as putting Dora into the Hospital Wing…Did it?' "What happened next?"

"Your grandfather was called in when Dora had left the hospital wing; we had a meeting in Dumbledore's office where we hoped to settle the girl's differences and discuss Bellatrix's actions. Dumbledore, Cygnus Black, Bellatrix, Andromeda, Dora and myself were all present… But that proved to be a mistake." For the first time upon Tonks knowing the Professor, Slughorn's expression grew stern. 'Was that really a smart idea? Having a muggle born hater and a muggle born in the same room? Typical Dumbledore.' He had tried the same thing with Snape and Sirius, sitting them together and hoping a chat would settle their differences, which of course didn't work.

"I can imagine… He must have been pleased that Bellatrix did that to a muggle born…" Tonks pulled a face, displaying a mock sense of pride.

"He was… When Dumbledore told him, Cygnus Black burst with joy and praised his daughter… I felt… Very ashamed to be pure blooded that day, listening to him encourage her actions… It was sickening and I wish we hadn't asked Dora to attend… Poor girl was in tears. I can understand Bellatrix wanting to stand up for her sister, although of course I heavily disapproved of how she went about it… But Bellatrix redeemed herself in my eyes that day in Dumbledore's office." A small smile flickered on the old man's face, breaking up his stern expression.

"Redeemed herself?" Tonks found herself repeating his words as she stared at him in confusion, not two words she thought she would ever hear associated with Bellatrix.

"Cygnus was a fearful man; I'm not ashamed to admit I was afraid to be in his presence." Tonks didn't miss how Slughorn flinched as he spoke and remembering the livid face of Cygnus Black that she had seen in the memory, she could understand why. "But Bellatrix… She openly turned and argued with her father without a hint of fear, she said her actions had nothing at all to do with Dora's blood status, that she didn't care Dora was a muggle born and that she did it for Andromeda, not for her family or their values…" The pride in his tone was unmistakeable.

"She… She defended Dora?" And to Tonks surprise, hidden beneath her feelings of astonishment was a surge of admiration for Bellatrix.

"Sort of, although I'd say she was just being honest and defending Andromeda, which inevitably caused her to defend Dora also." Slughorn stated with a chuckle and decided to pour himself out a fresh glass, again offering one to Tonks and yet again she turned it down. 'Want a clear head for this; don't want to forget a detail.'

Slughorn shrugged and took a sip of his drink, and shared a smile with Tonks which she returned as she thought over what Bellatrix had done. But it soon faded when she realized how Cygnus must have reacted to his daughter's defiance and found herself flinching. "I can't imagine her father was happy…"

"No… He turned white with fury and lunged at her and the worst part is, Bellatrix knew exactly how to react, ducking out of the way as if she had experience in that matter…" Her mother's words and Bellatrix's screams rang out in her mind and a stab if pity struck her heart. 'What exactly did Cygnus do to Bellatrix?' "It took all my strength to keep him off her and he had to be escorted from the grounds… Not surprisingly Andromeda and Dora became best friends not long after that, although that wasn't common knowledge… But to the trained eye, you could see it. Bellatrix and Dora well… They became fierce rivals, but they kept it civil and tolerated each other for Andromeda's sake."

"He attacked her? In front of everyone? Surely the Ministry would have taken action if they suspected abuse?" Tonks frowned and forced back a laugh at how naïve she was being. 'Of course the Ministry wouldn't get involved in the affairs of a powerful pure blood family…'

"Unfortunately not, you underestimate how much power and influence pure blood families had prior to the first wizarding war. Pure blood families, especially the house of Black, had enough wealth and influence to bend the law… It was a different era back then."

"I See…" Tonks didn't find that hard to believe at all, even now pure blood families still had a lot of connections to the Ministry, it was a large part of the reason why the Malfoy's had never been arrested till Lucius had been caught red handed. "And what about Narcissa?"

"Narcissa joined last, being the youngest. She was… Strange to say the least, she was very withdrawn from the world and came across a lot younger than her age. But after meeting their father, I don't think I could blame her. Both Bellatrix and Andromeda doted over her, every waking second and seemed to shield her from students and teachers alike."

Tonks sat and listened intently as Slughorn went on and on about her mother and aunts, talking about some of their antics and work. He went slightly more in depth about what each one was like, both apart from their sisters and with them as he quickly finished McGonagall's bottle of firewhiskey. It wasn't long after his source of drink ran dry did Slughorn doze off in the armchair, lightly snoring before the warm fireplace. Tonks sighed and smiled as she shook her head, while she wouldn't of minded hearing more about them, she had more than enough to think over. While she was just as curious about her mother and Narcissa, it was Bellatrix who was at the foremost of her thoughts. 'Providing everything is true… and now that seems likely… Bellatrix was the most different.'

Bellatrix sounded like she held as much regard for the rules as Tonks had done at school, Slughorn had mentioned numerous times that he had to punish Bellatrix for breaking them over and over. She was always wondering the corridors and grounds at night, usually with her sisters in tow and she would either get up to mischief, or go exploring restricted areas as Bellatrix apparently was a very inquisitive person. While not cruel, she had a knack for winding people up and would play mind games a lot and surprisingly it was directed a lot of the time at those who believed themselves to be better than others, like most pure bloods. She relished putting them in their place and while she was immensely popular with the boys, she never paid them any interest as she didn't want anyone to come between her and her sisters. Although she did use her charm and beauty to manipulate them at times into getting what she wanted or her sisters needed, which sometimes caused trouble between her and other girls. According to Slughorn, it was in Bellatrix's last few years at Hogwarts that she began to change, although still not into the person she is today. Unfortunately Slughorn had chosen that moment to doze off, leaving Tonks in the dark about what changes Bellatrix went through.

'Mum was right… There are a few similarities between me and Bellatrix from what Slughorn told me…' She thought with a frown, she had rarely followed the rules and was always curious about that which was forbidden. Like Bellatrix it seems, Tonks had always enjoyed teasing and winding up her classmates and also was just as popular with the boys, although unlike Bellatrix, Tonks had no quarrel about getting involved.

Tonks was dragged out of her thoughts when the fireplace roared into life and out stepped Professor McGonagall, whose gaze switched between both Tonks and Slughorn before falling upon the empty bottle and gave a deep frowned. The sound of the fire bursting into life had been enough to stir the sleeping Professor as Slughorn make a sharp noise of surprise, his eyes shooting open as he moved restlessly in the chair. "Goodness gracious me, you frightened the life out of me." He muttered sleepily, half to himself and half to McGonagall.

"I'm surprised you heard me come in, given the amount of my bottle you've drunk Horace." McGonagall stated sharply in a stern voice, Tonks covered her mouth up as she feigned a cough to hide her amusement as McGonagall scolded Slughorn while he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. With a sigh the older witch turned her attention to Tonks. "I trust you had an enlightening chat?"

"I think… Enlightening would be an understatement… But yes." Tonks found herself admitting.

McGonagall's face and tone gave away no hint to show that she was either pleased or displeased with the development. "I see… And how do you feel? Can you change now?"

Rather than answering, Tonks closed her eyes and relaxed her body as she focused on the desired image and let herself go. She felt herself smile as she felt the pleasing sensation return to her, she sensed the magic flow throughout every inch of her, buzzing and tingling beneath her skin. The mutterings of a fascinated Slughorn told her when the transformation was complete and opened her eyes. "I believe so." Tonks said with a small smile.

"Good, then it was time you got back. Before suspicion starts to arouse, I trust you'll be able to think of something to explain your absence?" McGonagall asked as she started over to her desk, pulling out a small package and placing it in her draw.

"Yes, you're right… And I'll think of something. Thank you Professor." Tonks smiled warmly at the older witch who responded in kind, before Tonks turned her attention to a still captivated Slughorn. "And thank you too Professor Slughorn."

"You're welcome my dear, I rather enjoyed our chat, perhaps we can do it again sometime if you want to learn more." Slughorn gave her a smile which Tonks gave a small polite nod. 'I may do just that.' The smile faded from the man's face and a sombre expression filled his features. "I must say, I never thought anything would ever be able to separate those sisters, they lived for each other… I can't help but wonder that there is more to it than just your mother going off with your dad…" Slughorn's eyes seemed to glaze over as he stared of into the distance once again lost in thought. 'If what everyone has said so far is true, then I agree… Something much more must have taken place back then, something much darker… But what?'

Tonks had begun heading over to the door when Slughorn decided to carry on talking to her. "Say, you couldn't do me a favour in return could you?"

"What kind of favour?" Tonks said cautiously.

"Well, I'm throwing a spot of supper in my room tonight and I was wondering you could perhaps persuade Harry to come? And you too are welcome of course, as is Miss Granger." The old man's face lit up as he put forth his request while McGonagall coughed in the background, which suspiciously sounded like it was hiding her own amusement.

'I see… My price to pay… He knows full well I can't turn him down after disclosing my secret… Crafty, typical Slytherin.' "I'll see what I can do." Tonks said with mock enthusiasm.

"Splendid, give my regards to your mother next time you see her."

Tonks nodded and started to turn away, but something was bothering her, something she had been meaning to ask ever since Slughorn brought her up. "Oh… I do have one last question…" Tonks said over her shoulder, watching Slughorn's expression. "What happened to Dora? It's just… My mother's never mentioned her before."

Tonks felt her heart plummet as she watched Slughorn's face turn grave, whatever he was about to say, wasn't good. "Yes I'd imagine not… Tragic… She turned up dead at her parents' home a few years after leaving Hogwarts. Presumed murdered, one of the first victims of the first wizarding war sadly…" Slughorn turned away, muttering to himself words that sounded vaguely like 'Poor girl.'

Not knowing what to say, Tonks merely gave a brief nod in acknowledgement before then undoing the wards and unlocking the door. She paused momentary as she held the door handle, contemplating before opening the door and heading on her way.


Tonks took her time walking back to the Gryffindor tower as she racked her brain over and over, cross referencing what both Slughorn and her mother had said, and what she had seen in the Black Memoirs. It felt important, all this knowledge, although the young Auror couldn't work out why… She couldn't explain to herself why she was so interested in her families past, albeit grudgingly… There was no reason why Tonks should care about it; it had no impact on current events. Was it purely to sate her curiosity? Or was it something else? During Auror training, one of the most important lessons they were taught was to know your enemy. Was she simply following her Auror instincts? And if so, how did learning about Bellatrix's past, who seemed to be a different person back then, help her against the current day Bellatrix?

When she reached the fat lady's portrait, she composed herself and feigned a smile before speaking out loud the password and stepping through into the common room. Her eyes scanned the crowded room and it didn't take long for her gaze to fall upon the trio sitting by the window, as if sensing someone's gaze, Harry turned his head and spotted Tonks. He looked concerned and it wasn't until she gave him a smile from across the room did his worried expression drop and be replaced by a more positive one. Gently pushing past her fellow housemates, Tonks made her way over to Harry.

Noticing there wasn't a spare seat available, Tonks smiled slyly to herself and with a surprisingly elegant motion, she sat herself on Harry's lap in a slightly seductive fashion. Harry turned red as he blushed and someone in the room wolf whistled, Ron grinned sheepishly at his friend while Hermione gave her a warm encouraging smile.

"H… Hi Aimée… Erm… Is everything ok?" He asked still slightly flustered.

Tonks smiled warmly down at him from her elevated position. "Yeah, things are sorted… Although I should be asking you the same question… You look a little red." Tonks giggled slightly as she teased him, and then frowned when something occurred to her. "Hmm I'm not too heavy for you am I?"

"What?" Harry blinked and looked over at his friends, Tonks didn't follow his gaze but heard Hermione whisper, 'Don't go there Harry.' Harry looked back up at Tonks while she gave him a slightly evil look. "No, no of course not… Just surprised that's all, that someone as well… Formed as you, can be so light."

Tonks's eyebrows rose as she glared at him. "Well formed…?" She sighed and laughed slightly to herself. "You don't do this very often do you?" Tonks teased and gave him a smile. 'So naïve and innocent at times… It's so cute.'

"No, not really." Harry admitted with a nervous laugh then tried to change to subject away from Tonks's weight. "So… What did McGonagall want? You were gone longer than I expected… Was starting to think it was bad news."

"Worrying about me? That's so sweet of you." Tonks said as she teased him yet again, before pulling a somewhat serious face. "My mother heard about the attack last week, and wanted reassurance from McGonagall that I was still safe here… Then I bumped into Professor Slughorn, who seemed to be in the mood to reminisce, I was unable to get away as he went on about all the famous witches and wizards he taught and knew."

"Oh I'm so sorry… That must have been terrible for you." Harry said with mock sympathy, failing to mask the amusement in his tone. She heard Ron snort before both Harry and Ron started laughing.

"Oh laugh it up Potter! You'll get a taste of it tonight, Slughorn has invited… Us to his room for dinner." Tonks retorted in a smug tone, but Harry just continued to laugh. "He also invited you Hermione and… Well erm… Sorry Ron, he didn't really mention you…" She finished off awkwardly, not meeting Ron's gaze.

Hermione groaned as she banged her head gently against the table, Ron on the other hand scowled and muttered darkly to himself. "Ah I don't think so, I've got detention with Snape tonight remember? But I'm sure you two will have fun."

Tonks folded her arms and pouted, both she and Hermione gave Harry a rather annoyed look as he continued to chuckle smugly to himself. A boisterous voice soon drowned out Harry's chuckling as the obnoxious lad from the Quidditch try-outs earlier spoke up as she approached them by the window. "Was that Slughorn's party you were talking about just then?" He asked casually, giving both the girls a sly smile and a wink.

"Erm yes we were McLaggen." Harry said politely, but clearly seemed annoyed at their housemate eavesdropping in on their conversation.

"Great! I've been invited too." McLaggen said rather smugly, the sound of Hermione butting her head against the table came again, abit more loudly than before followed by her muttering 'Ow.' To herself.

"Ah well, I'm not going. I've got detention." Harry repeated, this time without the smugness as he frowned at the older lad.

"Yes I heard, hard luck mate. Still, I'll be happy to escort both your friend here and Granger to dinner." Again he gave both Tonks and Hermione, what Tonks assumed was meant to be, a charming smile. But he just came across as creepy as a shiver shot down her spine, it wasn't hard to guess what he was thinking as his eyes briefly dropped to her chest. 'Typical teenage boy.' Tonks thought as she inwardly sighed.

Tonks raised her hand and gave a dismissive gesture, taking it upon herself to speak out before things turned nasty. "Thanks for the offer but… We're fine thanks." She said through a fake smile.

"If you say so, but you don't know what you're missing." As if to make some shrewd point, McLaggen flexed his body slightly, hoping that his athletic build would have to girls teeming over him.

"We'll take that risk." Tonks shook her head and rolled her eyes. 'How very desperate.'

His smiled faltered briefly from his lips as his attempts to impress the girls failed miserably and instead turned to Ron. "Don't worry Ron, I'll look after your girlfriend tonight." Ron's face went dark and Hermione had to grab his arm to stop him doing anything foolish, not that McLaggen noticed. Tonks scowled as she realised what McLaggen was up too, he was still sour about losing the Keeper try-outs to Ron and was after some petty form of payback to make himself feel better.

"Given your performance today on the field…" Tonks stated with a wicked grin, pausing for a second to let the reminder sink in. "Perhaps you aren't really the best candidate to look after someone or something."

"What did you say?" McLaggen's face turned red, obviously not too pleased with the tables being reversed.

"You heard."

"If you weren't a girl-" He began to say and immediately Tonks was on her feet, close up and personal with the large lad her burning gaze didn't waver.

"You'd what exactly?" She whispered, surprising herself with the amount of venom her words held. A hand grabbed her arm gently from behind and she looked out of the corner of her eye to see the comforting eyes of Harry as he silently threw in his support.

Tonks hoped she was coming across intimidating enough, although she doubted even someone as obnoxious as McLaggen would hit a girl. It seemed to work as he started to turn away, giving her a disgusted look before walking away. But just before he was out of range of her hearing, she heard him make an obscene comment, something deep inside her snapped and her wand shot out from her sleeve. With a flick of her wrist a loud crack filled the room as McLaggen's belt snapped, sending his trousers falling to the floor and much to her surprise and disgust, he had picked that day to go commando. She also silently reprimanded herself for losing control, today had already reminded her once how little it could take to blow her cover if she lost her cool. Luckily she could feel nothing had changed, appearance wise, but after the earlier trouble controlling her abilities she had to be much more careful.

Still… Tonks like everyone else found the funny side about what just happened and started laughing as McLaggen quickly covered himself up with one hand and reached down to grab his trousers with the other. Pulling them up he hurried quickly out of the common room while the whole time laughter followed him. Sniggering away Tonks turned and took her comfortable seat back on Harry's lap, the adrenaline was rushing through her. She was very pleased with herself and didn't feel a hint of shame or remorse, 'He deserved it.'

"Aimée! That was brilliant!" Harry said between laughing.

"Oh it was nothing." Tonks replied with mock innocence as she tucked a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. "People like that need putting in their places every once awhile, those that think they are so much better than everyone else and-" Tonks froze as her mind made a connection with her conversation with Slughorn. 'She had a knack for winding people upThose who believed themselves to be better than others… She relished putting them in their place.' She couldn't help but let out a sigh. 'Well done Tonks, way to prove mum right.'

"Aimée? Something wrong?" Hermione asked as she leant across the table, catching Tonks's gaze as she pondered to herself.

"Hmm? Oh… No, just lost in thought… Well, at least now Slughorn's dinner will be more entertaining. Wonder how he will act…"

"Yeah… I'm going to have to make sure you and him keep out of each other's ways." Hermione said with a frown and sighed.

Grinning at the brunette, Tonks put her arm around Harry and all four sat there for the next couple of hours gossiping and laughing. A few times Hermione would try directing them towards doing essays due for the following week but her plea's fell on deaf ears as the others were too riled up. As dinner fast approached they gathered their things and headed down to the main hall so Harry and Ron could have a bite to eat, only to run into Slughorn before they made it to their seats. He gave Tonks a knowing look and a not so subtle wink, which luckily the others didn't notice before then proceeding to make sure Harry knew of his invitation. When Harry informed Slughorn of his reason why he couldn't attend, the old Professor was not deterred and seemed convince he could change Snape's mind. 'Pfft good luck with that.'

Dinner past without much happening, Ron stayed in a foul mood over how Slughorn rather rudely ignored him. While a few students had approached Tonks about the McLaggen incident which would liven up the atmosphere periodically, it seemed the news had travelled fast as it wasn't just Gryffindor's who were quizzing her. After their brief stop for dinner at the Great Hall, they returned to the common room where they sat quietly by the fire and did a little work after Hermione had finally got her way. Every now and then Tonks and Harry would steal a glance at each other, grinning innocently if one caught the other watching them.

At some point Hermione retrieved an abandoned copy of the Evening Prophet which seemed to be the unspoken agreement that it was a time to break from homework. As she read through it and the trio gossiped about the contents, in this case it was about the Malfoy's. Tonks found herself being able to have a moment to comb through her own thoughts while partially listening to the group's suspicions about Draco. Swinging her feet up onto the sofa, she tucked her knees in so that the heels of her feet where up against the bottom of her rear and then laid back into Harry's side. While Tonks couldn't see his expression, she smirked to herself when he causally put his arm around her.

She closed her eyes and let out a sigh of content while she relaxed, although she soon found out that her attempts to concentrate on her thoughts were in vain. Her current position was far too distracting, she could feel her head gently lifting and falling in rhythm to Harry's breathing then felt her heart quicken as his fingers seemed to fidget and began drawing soft circles on her neck. 'I could get used to this… We need to do it more often I think.' She thought to herself with a smile and enjoyed the moment, as if to show her approval and appreciation Tonks let out a low purr.

Tonks wasn't sure how long she relaxed against Harry, time had seemed to stop and everything in the background ceased to be. Even the conversations between the trio fell away until all she could hear was the beating of their hearts and the peaceful sound of Harry inhaling and exhaling. The sound of a book snapping shut sadly brought her out of her daze as Ron stood up and stormed off to his room, still sulking about the lack of dinner invite. A new quiet female voice spoke up shortly, she passed on a short message from Professor Snape informing Harry that detention was still on. Sighing to herself Tonks sat up, knowing that their peaceful moment was at an end.

Harry stood up and bid the girls goodbye but not before calling Hermione over and whispering something to her that Tonks couldn't make out, and then left, giving her a quick glance and a grin. Tonks eyed Hermione curiously as the brunette headed back over to the fire.

"What was that about?" She asked with a suspicious tone.

Hermione just smiled and shrugged. "You'll see later." But before Tonks could pry further, Hermione had gathered her things and told her that they should start making a move to Slughorn's dinner.


Thankfully Slughorn kept his dinner short as he was too busy fighting the continued drowsiness brought on from a whole bottle of firewhiskey earlier. But he still managed to give them all an earful about some of his past students and showed them the 'Slug Club Wall of Fame' which as Slughorn had put it, showcased some of the best he had ever taught. This actually turned out to be the highlight of the night in Tonks's mind.

Hermione had let out a small gasp when her eyes settled on one of the pictures.

"What is it?" Tonks had asked.

"That's Harry's mum, Lily Potter… Well Evans back then." Hermione said with a mixture of surprise and pride, Tonks could guess why. Harry's mum was a muggle born, and yet here she was on the Ex-Head of Slytherins office wall. Even in this picture, Tonks could see what everyone who knew Lily would say to Harry, he had her eyes. Hermione's fondness of Slughorn increased ten-fold, it pleased her to know not all pure-blood Slytherins were muggle born haters; Tonks had to bite her tongue to stop herself from mentioning her mother.

Slughorn, who had been eavesdropping on their chat and much to Tonks appreciation, dropped her mother's name into the conversation and the fact she married a muggle born. He then went on to show them the picture of a young Andromeda Black and her sisters, which slyly seemed to be mainly for Tonks's benefit and then… Then he pointed out the best friend that Tonks had never heard of until today, Dora Watson.

It was a group photo with Slughorn taking up the middle and Dora had taken his left side, Tonks's eyes moved slowly across the photo, Andromeda was on Dora's other side while Narcissa stood between her mother and Bellatrix. The photo seemed so bizarre to Tonks, the three sisters were smiling, talking and laughing with each other, such a normal act for most people… But seeing the Black sisters do so… Tonks felt she was peering into another world, a world long gone. She watched as the young Dora whispered something in her mother's ear and both would giggle, earning an odd look from Bellatrix.

But before she aroused suspicion, Tonks had torn her eyes away from that picture and moved on, re-joining the others for dessert.


"Well…" Hermione said as they stepped back into the now empty common room. "That could have been worse… Perhaps Harry would like to go after all, if only to see his mother's face on the wall of fame."

"Mmm." Tonks replied, keeping her reply short as she barely listened.

"You ok? You were distracted all through dessert."

"Mmm… Huh? Oh… No just bloated, and a little sleepy I guess." She let out a forced yawn as if to prove her point.

"Well no bed for you yet. I can douse you with water if you're feeling drowsy." Hermione said with a sly grin and laughed when she saw Tonks's confused expression. "You'll see… Come, we may as well get some work done while we wait."

"Oh yeah, because homework is totally going to keep me awake." Tonks said in the most sarcastic manner she could muster. "This wouldn't have something to do with you and Harry whispering earlier by chance would it?"

Hermione didn't answer and just grinned before walking over to one of the seats by the fire and pulling out one of her essays. Tonks dropped into one of the other chairs and laid her head back, no sooner then she had begun to close her eyes, did a gush of water soak her face and top. "Hermione!"

"I told you, no sleeping for you yet." She said with amusement and a small smile she then continued to scribble with her quill. "Still sleepy?"

"No!" Tonks snapped and pouted. "I'm drenched!" If Tonks was expecting any pity she found none, with a sigh Tonks jumped to her feet and pulled off her top. She stood topless in just her bra as she held her top out before her and dried it by shooting out steam from the tip of her wand. As fate would have it, Harry had picked that precise moment to return from his attention and enter the common room. He stood mouth opened and wide eyed as he stared at the topless Tonks. "Oh… Hello Harry, enjoy your detention?"

Tonks made no attempt to cover herself as he gawked at her, blushing a deep shade of scarlet. "Err no… But it just got better." Harry managed to get out and gave a sheepish smile.

"I bet." Hermione muttered under her breath then laughed slightly as Tonks grinned down at her.

"I'll err… Be right back." Harry said quickly as he hurried off up to the boys dormitories, but not before giving the topless Tonks another quick and seemingly quite lustful glance. Shaking her head with a smile and now satisfied that she and her top were now dry, she pulled it back on.

Moments later Harry returned holding what looked to be a cloak. "Right… I erm… I have something to show you Aimée?"

Tonks blinked in confusion and Hermione stood up, packing her stuff away before starting over to the stairs. "Right." She smiled and gave Harry what seemed to be, a nod of encouragement. "I'll see you both in the morning." And before Tonks could say anything, Hermione had vanished upstairs.

"Ooook…" Tonks muttered in a confused tone as Harry approached her.

"You remember what we were talking about earlier? About beautiful places?" He asked as he fidgeted with the cloak.

"Oh… Yes." Tonks replied with a smile. "Why? Are you planning to take me to one? May be a bit hard… Seeing as it's against the rules to be out after night." She had to bite her lip to stop herself from scoffing.

"That's why I brought this." Without saying another word, Harry chucked the cloak over them. "This belonged to my father, it's an invisibility cloak." It was Tonks's turn to stand mouth wide open and gape in awe, but before she had a chance to comment, Harry shushed her and grinned. "Come, quietly."

Shutting her mouth and giving him a curious look, she smiled and together they headed out through the portrait and into the dead of night.


A/N: I hope you enjoyed Chapter 11 :) Despite only getting half of it and the lengthy dialogue scene :P Damn you Slughorn and you reminiscing ways. I swear each chapter just keeps getting longer and longer, soon I'll get to the point where a chapter never ends lol. Hope you don't hate me too much for the sort-of cliffhanger you got at the end, you'll have to wait till Chapter 12 to see where Harry leads Tonks :)

Review and leave your feedback and questions if you have time ^^