Chapter 11

Security over the prophecy had been increased ten fold after the reported outbreaks at Azkaban. It was always being paroled by at least one member at all times. Also, some members were stationed at Hogsmeade to watch over the school.

"Where's Tonks?" Kingsley asked at that night's meeting.

"In her last hour of guard duty." Moody said. "Remus and I will be going for the next shift to take over."

"Excellent." Dumbledore said. "Has she checked in with her patronus?"

"No, but she sometimes forgets. It is Tonks..." Kingsley said smiling.

Dumbledore merely nodded. His sporadic presence at Order meetings was a comfort to the others. It was like an unexplained safety and authority and organized everyone's thoughts.

Sirius gave Remus a concerned look. "You alright, mate?"

"Full moon ended yesterday." He explained. Remus's features looked worn and a new scar was showing againt his white cheek. Truthfully, Remus' monthy problem wasn't the only thing troubling him at present. He had a mysterious, uneasy feeling within him.

"Well then," Dumbledore said standing. "For the unlucky few who are busy tonight," he nodded at Lupin and Moody "you may leave.. For those of you without plans, I believe Molly has something special planned if you'd like to stay. Meeting dismissed. Happy New Year."

"Moody," Lupin said catching up with him outside the door. "Do you want to arrive early or the shift?"

"Why?" he growled.

"Not sure." Lupin said truthfully. "I just feel like I should."


Tonks was pacing the narrow hallway, only the sounds of her footsteps were heard. The steady beat was enough to drive her mad.

Just another half-hour or so, she reminded herself.

She hated guard duty when she was alone. The whole thing made her skin crawl.

"Twitchy, aren't we?" a smooth, but high-pitched female voice said from behind.

Tonks whipped around, arms raised, to meet the cold black eyes of Beatrix Lestrange.

If she hadn't been so distorted, so pale, ghostly and drained from the years in Azkaban, Tonks would've mistaken her for her own mother. Their hair, face and eyes were almost identical. Tonks forced herself to keep eye contact and steady her now shaking wand hand.

"What? No hug for your auntie?" the taunting voice said.

"Stand back" Tonks said aiming her wand at Bellatrix's chest.

She smiled at her niece. "The half-blood wants me to 'stand back'? I'd like to see you try...Crucio!"

Tonks blocked it with a swift flick of her wand, remaining in battle stance. Her mind, which was tired and wandering only minutes before, was now sharp and focused.

"Impressive." Bellatrix crackled. "An auror, right? Tisk, tisk how standards have slipped." Bellatrix circled Tonks like a vulture. "I'm sure my traitor sister is proud-Crucio!"

This time she was too quick. Pain shot through Tonks' spine like a thousand wooden splinters. She felt her knees buckle beneath her and she fought to stay standing even, with the curse's effects pulsing through her veins.

"Trying to be strong?" Bellatrix said tauntingly. "The Longbottoms did that too."

Tonks' feet went out from under her and she collapsed, her legs now writhing.

"That's better." Her aunt said cooly as she fell. "Us Blacks must weed out the weak parts of our family tree." She said watching Tonks twich in pain

Tonks closed her eyes but refused to cry out. I can't give her the satisfaction. The thought shot through her tortured mind obsessively. Tonks felt that each moment was worse than the next. How long will I live? She thought. The unending pain was too much, like each if her nerve endings were on fire and were burning away very, very slowly.

There was a flash of red light as Tonks fainted, her body falling limp to the ground.


"Is she alive?"

"Of course she is, stupid!"

"A bit peaky, I'd say."

"Fred, no one needs your input."

Tonks could hear Weasleys. Her eyelids fluttered open and she began to register the crowd of people around her.

"Tonks?" A familiar voice seemed to call from a mile away, though she could see a blurry vision of Sirius' face right above her own.

"Can she here us?" one of the twins asked. "Tonksy? You alive, mate?"

She blinked and tried to sit up. Sirius steadied her as she straightened up. She still felt dizzy and her entire body ached.

"Oi!" Sirius said to Ginny and the Twins. "Clear out, the lot of you. Give her some space."

They left quietly and Tonks began to come to her senses.

"The ministry-I" she began. "Bellatrix..." she looked into Sirius' eyes. He seemed to share her thoughts. Their fellow relative no doubt had it in for both of them, seeing that they were family traitors. With her out of Azkaban, they must have targets on their backs.

Sirius swooped down to hug his cousin. Tonks was thankful that, for once, Sirius wasn't afraid to show the compassion or affection behind his humor.

"She looked just like Mum, Sirius." She choked. He patted her back and laid her back down on the soft couch.

"Wait!" Tonks sprang up with so much unexpected force that she accidentally hit Sirius in the nose. "Where's Remus?" she asked looking around the study as if he might be hiding in the corner somewhere. "I remember seeing him..."

"He'll be alright, don't worry." He said, patting his nose.

"What?" she said. "What did you mean 'he'll be alright?' When did he become not 'alright,' Sirius?"

"Well he and Moody fought off Bellatrix. Apparently she put up quite a fight, but disaperated. Lupin was hit with a bleeding curse, but he's fine now. Molly mended it about an hour ago. He's just recovering."

Tonks was already on her feet, heading for the door, but Sirius beat her to it. "Leave him alone for now, Tonks. He's sleeping."

She nodded and sat back down. "And Moody..?"

"He's fine. He took over guard duty alone and sent Lupin back."

A soft knock came from the door and Molly's head popped in. "Hungry you two?" she asked hopefully. "I've prepared a giant New Years spread!" She looked Tonks up and down with a motherly sort of glance. "You look like you could use it."

Tonks smiled sweetly. She loved how Molly could fix anything with a good roast.