Chapter 13: Epilogue
All right, so one of the Guest reviews called me out on the Weak ending, and yeah, he or she is right. About 20 min before bed last night I started on the Epilogue. It's nothing special, but I hope it ties the story up in a better fashion.
Tonks/Wolf family Home, Western Suburb of Hayes, London July 23rd, 2012
Professor Carson Tonks ne' Wolf was sitting at the breakfast table flipping through some sort of tinsel town trash magazine his Wife liked to read, for no other reason than it lying on the table. It was a week before school started, and Nym had just finished pulling an all-nighter at the ministry, courtesy of her new position as the head of the DMLE.
Looking rather defeated the usually chipper woman dragged herself from the Floo in the living room and straight past her coffee sipping Husband.
"Hey hon, have a good shift?"
Tonks grunted, though he wasn't sure if it was in confirmation or not. Ever since she'd been promoted to head the department the amount of work she did increased tenfold. While Carson did feel bad that she was now being worked to the bone he no longer had to argue with the woman about the danger she continually subjected herself to as an Auror squad leader, something that had robbed her spouse of a lot of sleep in the last 15 years.
Perhaps she'd finally cave soon and take up a position at Hogwarts, the pajama clad muggle mused. The Metamorph would make an excellent DADA teacher, and besides the current fellow was grinded his gears. Even Riley disliked him, and that was saying something coming from the Puff.
Speaking of his eldest daughter, he needed to go to Diagon soon to purchase her fourth year texts and supplies. The girl actually had the gall to drop Muggle studies in favor of Arithmancy. Ok, math was a pretty good skill to have, but still.
It stings.
Normally Tonks took her to the magical district, but well…every little chore he could handle right now helped her from turning into a cranky Tonks. And a cranky Tonks was bad news. Honestly, she could make you disappear. The Woman answered to no one now!
The stairs creaked again, leading him to believe Riley had finally gotten her butt in gear. Honestly, even when he was her age Carson had never slept that long during summer break. It came as a surprise then when he saw Tonks return to the kitchen.
"Forgot something honey?"
She looked at him and blinked, finally snapping out of her stupor.
"Err, no…sweetheart." Her voice hitched on the last word. "I simply wanted to talk about Riley's Hogsmeade permission slips."
"Oh? Weren't we going to punish her for impersonating Minnie last year?"
Riley had somehow found out the Headmistress was leaving the School for business and impersonated the elderly Witch. Hufflepuff had gained over three hundred points that day, and half of Slytherin had detention with Finch. The last part ultimately got her busted. As Carson always liked to say; 'Don't bite off more than you can chew'
"Yeah. I've given the matter some further thought, and think we might have overreacted. Heck, she's no different from how I was at that age."
Carson grinned. "Well you are the head of the DMLE now. I'm sure you'd know best."
Tonks smiled back sweetly. "Great. I'm going to head to bed now. Could you be a dear and sign her slips before School starts?"
Carson nodded. "Sure thing."
The Bubblegum haired Witch ascended back up the stairs. But instead of heading towards the master bedroom she entered the bedroom further down the hall. Closing the door with a sigh Tonks morphed, shrinking almost a foot. The pink hair turned light blue and grew to reach the middle of her back. Removing a hair tie out of her now baggy Auror robes Riley pulled the long strands into a low ponytail.
After changing the young girl trotted down the stairs and joined her clueless father at the table.
"Morning dad."
"Oh, hey Squirt. Sleep well?"
Riley shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."
Carson sighed. Lately his oldest had started acting aloof around him and his wife. A crying shame, considering how happy she was before hitting the teens. On the other hand, the girl had a mischievous streak a mile wide, something which she got entirely from her mother. Thank god the boys hadn't shown signs of that happening. He was running out of creative ways to ground them.
"So, looks like mom decided to cut you some slack for the whole McGonagall incident. You're allowed to go to Hogsmeade come September."
"Really?" the surprise was of course faked, but required for the plan none the less.
"Mhmmm. Anyway, today I think we should buy your gear for the coming term."
The girl nodded and began pouring herself a bowl of cereal. Dad was going to take her this year? Well, it was to be expected with her Mother working herself to the bone. Perhaps she'd be able to sucker him into buying her a new broom. After all, both of the Huffelpuff beaters and one of the chasers were now graduated, meaning she stood a chance to make the team.
Carson set the magazine aside and rallied the troops. The boys had been up hours ago, and were currently outside exploring god knows what. They mostly stayed out of trouble, hence the lack of supervision. Recently their youngest had started showing signs of accidental magic, but Eric, who was eight hadn't. Carson could tell it worried the kid, and quite frankly his Parents as well.
If he turned out to be a Squib, a word Carson still loathed, they'd have to send him to a muggle school. How that would impact their schedule was something he and Tonks would have to talk about. But they still had three years to figure it out.
Much like her father, Riley was deep in thought, almost functioning on autopilot. The house was fairly quiet despite getting the kids ready. Not that it mattered. Tonks usually threw up some wicked sound canceling charms around their room.
The only non-magical way to get to Diagon was by car. The Floo system still hated him, and the feeling was mutual. The boys were strapped into their boosters, while the Blue haired girl rode shotgun.
The big 3.0L H6 roared to life within the Legacy Estate he'd purchased a mere two months ago. Every time Carson sat in it his face instantly broke out into a childish grin. But who wouldn't?
The thing had a full STi package complete with 6 speed dual clutch manual gear box, a big torquey 6 cylinder turbo diesel, and permanent all-wheel drive! The M3 had of course been retired long ago. The Students had simply been too much for the already fatigued machine, and runes could only do so much.
The drive took only 20 minutes. It was a Tuesday morning after all, and the rush-hour traffic had ebbed over an hour ago. Parking on the muggle side of the leaky cauldron, the Hogwarts Professor tossed a few quid into the parking meter and ushered the kids inside.
"Hi Tom, how goes it?"
The glass cleaning bar keep waived but was otherwise quiet. Bastard Death Eaters had cut his vocal cords back in early '98 after he was overheard talking about the resistance. Fortunately the perpetrators died during the siege. Tom had since become quite proficient at silent casting. When young Miss Abott, sorry Longbottom took over the place she'd kept old Tom here to run the bar.
They exited the bar and Riley did the honors of tapping the brick with the tip of her wand, all the while muttering about how useless he was without her. He cuffed her upside the head lightly.
Diagon alley looked the same as it always had. Outdated and stuck in the 18th century. They went through the motions and bought what she needed and some of what she wanted. He didn't cave on the broom, but instead they settled on a bolt on mod kit that would squeeze an extra few ponies of magical juice out of her old Firebolt.
For some reason Dad kept calling her broom 'ricer' now, though why she didn't know.
With their older sister getting all of this cool new stuff the boys had to be appeased with something as well. Luckily they weren't overly materialistic and settled for ice cream and a future visit to the Weasleys Wizarding Wheezies Supercenter. The latter concerned him somewhat. Those portable swamps were no joke.
Arms laden with bags and trunks that couldn't be feather weighted the family returned to their car. The spacious back held it all he was proud to note. With a quick pit stop to a nearby muggle grocery store for milk the Family headed back home.
The last week passed quickly, and before he knew it they found themselves in front of a steaming candy apple red Locomotive. Riley quickly found her friends but had to endure a farewell hug, even though she'd likely see both of her parents tonight at the Opening feast.
The boys as always begged to go with her, and as always had to be hauled away, disappointed looks on their faces. The family of 5 minus one left the station shortly thereafter. Tonks was dropped off at the Ministries visitor entrance.
"See you tonight!" Don't throw to many people in jail today!"
The witch snorted and kissed her goofy Husband, then waived to the boys, both pressed up against the glass of the back window.
"Bye mom!"
She planted a big lipstick covered kiss on the glass, earning her a protest form the driver before she descended down the phone booth.
He'd need to get home fast. The house would have to be mothballed now that they were going back to live at the castle for the semester.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry September 27th, 2012
Carson was dozing in front of the fire in his far too comfortable LayZboy recliner on a Saturday Evening in late September. Fall it seemed had arrived early, and the temperature up in the Scottish Highlands quickly dipped into the single digits after sunset.
Grading last week's work had taken most of the day, but the Muggle Studies professor had found the time to indulge a bit as well, a sci-fi novel currently folded across his lap.
With a whoosh the flames turned green and the demonic looking face of his Wife appeared in the embers.
"Carson! CARSON!"
Oh boy, this wasn't good. She hadn't looked this mad since finding all of her Work robes with the stiches inside out last year. The great thing about being a muggle was that he couldn't get blamed for anything. Let's hope whatever had her in this mood hadn't grown on his pile of sh- cow manure.
"Nym? Are you still at work?"
"Of course I am!" She snapped, immediately regretting it. She sucked in a deep breath to collect herself.
"SO you'll never guess who I ran into today in Hogsmeade." The now awake Professor remained silent, inviting her to continue.
"Our Daughter." She growled. "And guess what she told me? YOU SIGNED HER PERMISSION SLIP!"
The confused muggle was scratching his head. "Um, hon. You're the one who told me to let her off the hook about a week before school started. You even asked me to sign her slip yours-"
Realization dawned on his face. "That little…"
"Yeah. She tricked your arse good." Tonks stated dryly, also having made the connection.
"Damn Metamorphs! Carson muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Tonks decided to ignore the comment.
"Ohhh, just wait. She's in for it now."
Ember Tonks showed the first signs of a smile then. "Listen, I gotta go. Some yahoos decided it would be great to try and rob Gringotts today. Bloody mess, and I'm not saying that in the usual way."
Carson cringed. The goblins could be quite vicious, and were always looking for a fight. The Diagon branch probably looked like a Kill bill scene right now.
"All right hon. I'll keep the fire stoked for when you get back. And tomorrow we can hash out a revenge plot for our dear Daughter."
At this the head of the DMLE smiled. Oh yes, this should be good.
oOo
Riley Tonks ne Wolf had really screwed the pooch this time. Not intentionally, but who ever did? No, it was sheer fluke that Mom had been in Hogsmeade at the same time the first School trip had happened. In hindsight, it would have been better to say she'd just snuck out of the castle.
But nooo, in the heat of the moment and on the receiving end of the killer stare she'd blurted that Dad signed her form. OF COURSE her mom would follow up with him later, and then the cat would really be out of the bag.
She'd skipped breakfast in order to avoid her parental figures sitting at the staff table, but it was coming up on noon and the few morsels of food her friends had brought her weren't cutting it anymore. It was time to face the firing squad. With a look of dread she headed down to the Great Hall. She changed her hair color to a disinteresting brown and tried to stay close to the larger 6th and seventh years in order to fly under the Radar. Much to her surprise neither Mom nor Dad came to find her.
Just when Riley thought she was home free the main doors burst open and a squad of four senior Aurors, including Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom and Ronald Weasley marched in. Heads turned as the legendary individuals confidently strode between the long tables. They formed a loose semi-circle around her seat, faces rigid and without an ounce of humor.
"Ms. Riley Tonks ne Wolf", Auror Potter said in an even voice, which actually impressed his fellow squad mates. They all knew the little troublemaker from the various parties and get-togethers each hosted for their own kids. Getting to lay the cuffs on her was oh so satisfying.
"You are under arrest for the impersonation of a high ranking ministry official. Please rise and place your hands behind your back. Do not reach for your wand." Carson and Nym watched with barley suppressed grins as their daughter's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.
Potter then went so far as to read her the Standard Miranda rights. "Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to a layer. If you cannot afford a layer one will be provided to you by the State."
By then Riley was thoroughly freaking out. She begged and pleaded but to no avail. Director Tonks would order her released tomorrow morning, just in time for first class. But she didn't know that.
"C'mon guys. This isn't funny. Let me go!"
It looked almost comical as the large, battle-hardened Aurors cuffed the 13 year old and hauled her out of the Hall. Minerva actually smiled. Most of the students were utterly shocked.
Unseen by most except a select few, the Muggle studies teacher and head of the DMLE bumped fists before returning to finish their lunch. No one messed with them.
NO ONE!
-Fin
Not bad for something cooked up in less than a day IMO. This really is it now. Again I thank everyone for their Favs, follows, and words of wisdom during these last few months. It's been a hoot.