EDIT JULY 14

"Is this some bad joke?"

"Lumos," a wand lit up revealing the face of a very serious Sirius Black, his pale completion standing out in the darkness of the room. "Why would this be a joke?"

"Can I at least say that I have no part in this at all?" Remus called from somewhere to the left of Sirius.

"Hush Remus, you're ruining the effect!" Sirius barked over his shoulder before turning back to Tonks. "You are here to come clean, to admit the truth, and to possibly become a Marauder."

Tonks turned to Peter to ask if this was really happening only to find an empty spot. He must've wormed his way into the room when she wasn't looking. "Okay…" She finally replied, "Can we turn the lights on at least?"

Another wand lit up, this time showing James' face. "No, this is part of initiation," he stated with the same level of emotion as Sirius. "Now first off, to become a Marauder you must reveal all secrets to the group. We don't hide things from each other, we don't lie to each other, and we don't ever let each other face their fears alone. That is our motto, do you wish to accept it?"

"Isn't hiding things and lying basically the same thing?" Tonks asked.

"Do you wish to accept it?" James asked again with more force.

"Aren't I technically a teacher? Why am I joining the Marauders?" Tonks asked again, this time more to annoy James.

Another light lit up, this time showing Remus' face. "Just say yes," he sighed but gave a soft smile.

"Okay, I accept." Tonks gave a nod.

"Now we must admit our deepest, darkest secrets. Peter?" Remus looked to his left as another light flicked on.

"I'm not a pureblood, my father is a muggle and my mother is muggle-born," Peter stated in a rush. "James?"

"My mother is terminally ill, she may or may not make it to the end of the year. When she is gone I think it's safe to assume that my father may not last much longer." James looked down as he said that, the light from his wand creating an odd look on his face. "Sirius?"

Sirius ran a hand through his hair, "I'm no longer on speaking terms with anyone in my family nor have I even been to the Black house in nearly a year." Sirius gave a small sad sigh before turning to Remus. "Moony?"

"I'm a werewolf," he said with no emotion. "And I have been since I was a boy." He then looked up at Tonks. "Tank?"

Tonks knew that more or less this was a show, they wanted her to admit that she was a time traveler. They wanted her to know they had her trust and now they want hers. So Tonks merely closed her eyes and opened her mouth, "My name is really Nymphadora Tonks and I'm not from this time."

"I fucking told you!" Tonks opened her eyes to see Sirius tapping the tip of his emulating wand on Remus' chest.

"I didn't doubt you," Remus responded as he moved the tip of the wand away from his body.

"And time travel!" Sirius continued on. "Why here of all times? Why us?" Sirius turned toward Tonks with excitement. The lights flicked on to reveal the messy room.

"Well… it was actually an accident," Tonks shrugged. She felt somewhat relieved, finally someone knew the truth. Finally she wasn't alone in this world.

"Accident? How?" Remus asked as he moved back to sit on the end of his bed.

Oh you'll figure out how in about 17 years. "I didn't know it was a time turner when I picked it up."

"Tell us something, about your time. Anything! Please?" James rushed forward and asked. Both he and Sirius looked beyond excited, much like two kids in a candy store.

"The war, you always talk about it. Is it still going on?" Sirius tacked on.

Tonks didn't know what to say, she was finally at ease that she had someone to talk to about all this but on the other hand she couldn't talk about this to any of them. She had already messed up the time line and telling them anything more about her own time could only further ruin it. "Er, it ended. But it's recently started again."

"A different war or…" Remus began.

"The same one," Tonks replied.

"How…" James frowned.

Tonks only shook her head, "I can't say too much." She had to draw a line somewhere.

"That's fair," Sirius shrugged. Tonks gave a pleased smile at his words.

"Do you know us?" Peter asked. "In your time, have you met us?"

"Yes," Tonks breathed. It was partially a lie, but she couldn't tell the whole truth.

"Really? I'm sure you had a thing with Remus though, am I right?" Sirius elbowed Tonks and wagged his brows.

Tonks gave a small laugh, "no, our relationship was nothing like that."

"Oh, brutal." Sirius muttered. "Sorry Moony."

Remus turned red as he glared at his shaggy haired friend causing Tonks to frown. She had assumed that Remus had this school boy crush on her but now she was beginning to wonder if it was more. Maybe Sirius's badgering was more than just him teasing a friend.

"Anyway!" James called catching everyone's attention. "Initiation?"

"Oh, right." Sirius gave James a nod before turning to Tonks. "Nymphadory Tonks…"

"Nymphadora," Tonks interrupted with a sigh.

"Er, right, sorry. Nymphadora Tonks," Sirius paused to check that he had said her name correctly before continuing on, "Do you wish to become a Marauder?"

Tonks had heard about these four frequently when she was a child, she had even been commonly compared to them. And if she at this very moment had been 14 she wouldn't have even hesitated, but she wasn't. What would happen if she did become a Marauder? What about the time line? Would they etch her name into the Map, how drastic of a change would that have on the upcoming future?

"Er… yes, I do, but…"

"What?"

"I'm not supposed to be here, I wouldn't want to mess up anything anymore than I already have." Tonks gave a halfhearted shrug. She was disappointed that she had to turn down this amazing offer, she almost wished she could take back the words and simply nod at Sirius' question.

"Uh," Sirius turned to look at James who only shrugged in response. With a glance at the other two it was confirmed that none of them had any response.

"I guess you don't have to…" Remus said. "We just wanted you to know that you can trust us."

Tonks smiled, "I do. I wouldn't have told you anything if I thought otherwise."

Remus smiled back, the fading red in his face reappearing ever so slightly.

"Anwayyyyyy," Sirius dragged out the word as he attempted to regain Tonks' attention. "Does this mean we can call you Nymphadora?"

"Sure," Tonks nodded as she folded her arms. "But only if you want detention."

Sirius gave her a frown, "Tonks?"

"I'd rather you didn't, you guys are the only ones that know my real name."

"Not even Dumbledore?" Peter asked quietly.

Tonks thought back to the elder teacher, he had never asked her nor said anything that meant he knew that she was a time traveler, but he did behave strangely. Like the fact that he willingly gave her a job at the school despite the fact that she had no references at all. It was odd, perhaps he did know? Tonks turned to Peter and shook her head, how could he know? "So just stick with Tank," Tonks finished.

"Fish Tank?" James asked as he through an arm over her shoulders with a smirk. He waited until she had rolled her eyes before continuing, "so this attacker thing…"

"What? Any news?" Tonks perked up, she wanted a breakthrough, something, anything. "Oh, Remus I have a list that the Order rounded up." She dipped her hand into her pocket to pull out a tattered piece of paper, "some spells and a few potions, but still worth looking through."

Remus gave her a nod before shaking his head, "good… but that's not what we wanted to talk about."

"Then what?"

The four gave each other a look, and Tonks watched as Sirius waved his hand at Remus as if signaling for him to speak. "Er, well… It's more about you." Remus started.

"What about me?" Tonks replied cautiously.

"Well, your health?" Remus stumbled over his words. "The threat, you could get seriously hurt Tonks-Tank." He stuttered at her name for a moment but continued before Tonks had a chance to butt in. "You've already gotten hurt, a concussion. That may not be serious but it's still an injury, if it had been the muggle world…"

"You don't need to worry about me, I'll be fine. It's really you guys, they could attack you too-" Tonks began a speal about their own safety when James interrupted her.

"We're fine, we have each other. We all have three more of us to watch each other's backs, but you only have yourself. Please-"

"Don't." Tonks stopped him. "I am a trained Auror, I know how to handle myself. That's part of my job, in fact it's also my job to keep you all safe. Since I've already fucked that up, twice, I don't want to put anyone else at risk. I'm fine with you all helping me with research, but I have to put my foot down here. So if you were thinking about a buddy system, then no. You watch each other's backs, and I'll watch my own, okay?"

Tonks was slightly taken aback by the looks on their face, it was a mix between shock and perhaps sadness. Maybe she was reading it wrong, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that they stayed safe. Tonks spared a look towards Remus and was upset over the way his face was turned down, disappointment dripping from it. She quickly looked away, not wanting it to be remembered later.

"But I should be going, check the halls, make sure everyone's in bed." Tonks gathered herself, taking time to spare Remus one last look (she couldn't help herself) and quickly saying, "let's meet up later to talk over the possible spells, okay?"

"Sure, I have a free period in the morning. Let's meet up."

"Alright, goodnight boys." Tonks gave them a bit of a sarcastic wave before leaving the room. As she walked down the stairs she was upset about the sudden horrid taste in her mouth that the end of that conversation had left. She gave a sigh and moved on, nothing she could really do.

Tonks began her rounds of the school, she normally walked the hall to make sure the students were all in their respective dorms. It was more of a safety precaution, but also doubled as a lookout. Though she doubted that she would find the attackers out in the hall way, you never know. She had run into them before while out at night, it could happen again.

Just as she finished that thought a voice rang out from behind her, "Don't you ever get any sleep?" It was a deep voice, but that didn't hide the playfulness that rang out along with the words.

Quickly Tonks turned and spotted the owner to the voice. The hall was dark but she could still make out the silhouette that was leaning against the wall. "Perhaps," Tonks replied cautiously as she moved her hand over her wand.

The silhouette chuckled, "do you feel threatened Nova?"

Tonks pressed her lips together, "I'd prefer if you called me Tank."

"Oh, sorry. Do you feel threatened Tank?" Tonks didn't like the way the silhouette seemed to be taunting her.

"Do you feel threatened?" She responded, feeling a bit daring.

"Hmm…" The silhouette moved closer, stepping into the moonlight that peaked in from the window nearby. It was a man, a man man. He definitely wasn't a student, he looked far too mature. He also had a dark vibe to him that made Tonks wary. "I can't say I do," he finished with a slight smirk.

Tonks eyed him up, he had very dark hair a bit of stubble on his jaw. Tonks' mind wandered, had he been hiding out in the castle? He didn't look too disgruntled, fairly clean. "So you know my name? May I ask yours?"

"Certainly," His smirk grew larger. "Eb, Mason Eb." He then gave a bit of a sarcastic bow and moved a bit closer. Tonks studied him further.

His complexion was dark, much darker than the average Death Eater. Was he a Death Eater? What other reason could he have for being in the castle because he certainly wasn't a student?

"Mason?" Tonks responded. "What are you doing here?"

"Ooh, cuts right to the chase. Y'know, I was a bit skeptical when they said you were a 'possible threat'," Mason provided air quotes and a roll of the eyes before continuing. "But I see why. Not easily distracted, nice. I don't normally get that reaction from girls."

"Oh?" Tonks was a bit annoyed with his response. "You might also want to mark down that avoiding questions doesn't work on me."

"And some sass, I like it." Mason moved to lean against the wall next to Tonks, "but I suppose I could get on with it. I was hoping for some conversation though, I don't get out too often."

"I'm not much of a talker," Tonks spat as she folded her arms. She felt less threatened by this man than before, he was more of nuisance.

"Alright, alight," Mason leaned away from the wall and held his hands up. "I'll spit it out." Mason let out a sigh and looked Tonks in the eye giving her chills. "My people gave you a letter, and they know that you've read it and were hoping that you took it to heart."

Tonks felt her blood turn cold, whoever this man was he was with the attackers. Tonks unfolded her arms and moved her hand back over her wand.

"Stay out of the attacks and you'll be fine, if not they will take action. I'm here to make sure you understand that message," Mason's words sounded rehearsed, almost like he practiced them in the mirror many times before saying them to her. "We are powerful, and although you are skilled we are far more skilled than you could ever be." It was at this point that Mason's words began to sound more human and less like a trained robot, "please Nova stay out of this."

Tonks was taken aback by the sorrow look in his eyes, he had done a complete 180 from what he had been just a few moments ago. "I can't," she whispered unable to keep her mouth shut.

He grimaced, "then I'm sorry for what I have to do." He reached back behind him to grab his wand but Tonks was ready. "Locomotor Mortis!"

"Protego!" Tonks blocked the spells and stumbled back slightly. She made eye contact with Mason for a moment before he moved again, firing another spell at her. She quickly blocked it again, this time more prepared.

"Sorry," he murmured. "Crucio." His voice was clear and the spell rang out in Tonks' ears. She again moved to block it but the spell was too powerful for her little shield. It hit her directly in the chest and she felt the pain ripple, starting just below her collar bone. Pain exploded everywhere, slowly moving out to her limps and intensifying in her middle. Somewhere in the distance she heard screams, but she was unable to register that they were her own.

Then, it stopped. The pain disappeared completely, leaving her feeling empty.

"Crucio," and it was all back again. The pain was everywhere, and it went on and on. Tonks wondered if it would ever stop, she hoped it would stop. She would do anything to make it stop, anything! If only it would stop now.

Then again it was gone.

"I suggest you stay away from all this, for your own good." Mason spoke softly, but Tonks didn't register the words. She was too wrapped up in her own world. She ended up curled up in a ball, holding herself tightly. "I'm sorry, crucio…"

XXX

"Why does it always seem like we end up here?"

"Sirius, please…"

"No, really! Are we just shitty at keeping our friends safe or are we always in some sort of trouble?"

"I appreciate your concern Mr. Black, but mind your language."

"Sorry Pomfrey…"

Tonks breathed deeply, barely able to understand the words being said around her. Slowly she opened her eyes, frowning at the sudden brightness.

"Ton-Tank!" Someone exclaimed.

Tonks glanced around at the people sitting around her bedside and relaxed slightly, "well if it isn't my posse."

"Who else would it be?" James asked with a small smile.

"Arh," Tonks gave a groan as she moved her arm. Every part of her felt sore, as if she'd just ran a marathon only she'd used every single muscle in her body to do so. She dropped her arm over her face, closing her eyes with another groan. "It hurts."

"What hurts?" Tonks heard Remus ask.

"Everything," She moaned. "What the hell happened?"

"The Cruciatus Curse," Madam Pomfrey replied. Tonks removed her arm from her face to look at the nurse. "Nothing too bad, you were only hit three or four times. You will be sore for a few days though, so I'd take it easy if I were you."

"Am I going to have to stay here?" Tonks asked desperately hoping the answer was no.

The nurse gave a smile, "no, you can head back to your room now if you like." At her words Tonks immediately moved to get out of bed. "Boys, boys, help her," Pomfrey called to the Marauders. "Make sure she gets up to her room, and please tell her to relax…"

Tonks pulled the blankets away from her body and felt the cool air hit her legs. She had been dressed in a gown and once she noticed she began mumbling about her clothes.

"I've got them," Peter called. "Your wand too."

Tonks thought about changing, but the idea of moving her body enough to shimmy into jeans wasn't ideal. "Will you carry them Peter?"

"Sure."

Tonks scooted to the edge of the bed with a grimace and was relieved when an arm reached out to help her off the bed. The hand wrapped around her upper arm and assisted in pulling her to her feet, Tonks didn't look up at the owner of the hand until her feet hit the cold floor but she wasn't surprised when she did and found Remus.

Sirius helped get her feet into her shoes and soon they were off down the hall. Peter led the way, his arms full of Tonks' stuff. James was right beside him, holding an extremely large bottle of a greenish potion that Tonks suspected Madam Pomfrey had given him. Sirius was beside her, occasionally giving her a side glance as if to check that she was okay. And finally Remus, who was the one she leaned against as they walked. He had an arm wrapped around her shoulders, which she was grateful for because she wasn't sure if she could've even been able to walk on her own.

Tonks was glad they were here, although it was mainly her body that hurt she also felt mentally off. She felt drained, and if she had been on her own she knew it would've been impossible for her to find her room. She would've easily gotten lost trying to navigate her way through the maze that is Hogwarts. Even now as she followed the group she attempted to remember the way and was unable to, she couldn't map out the castle. Heck she didn't even know where she was right now, the only thing she did know was how good Remus smelt. Much like chocolate and ink.

Soon she was getting into bed with a sudden feeling of drowsiness.

"Here, Pomfrey said you should take some of this," Tonks watched as James poured a bit of the green potion out for her to drink.

Tonks drank it without complaint, but as soon as the liquid disappeared down her throat she began firing questions. "Who found me?"

"Who?" Peter frowned confused.

"Who found me, I was the hall wasn't I? On the ground?"

"No," Sirius shook his head, "actually Madam Pomfrey found you in the infirmary this morning."

"What?" Tonks tried to yell out the word but it seemed like her voice was unable to do so. "I was attacked, the attackers. It was a warning, Mason Eb." Tonks' eyes closed on their own accord and her sentences became phrases. "It hurt, I was attacked. The attackers, warning…"

"We can talk about it later…." Was all Tonks heard before she out like a light.

XXX

"Who the hell is he?!"

"This isn't getting us anywhere Remus, we should head back and wait for her to wake up," James pleaded.

"No, I'm going to find him. Once I find him we'll be just a bit closer." Remus was tearing through the library, currently looking through the list of names of the people that had gone to Hogwarts Desperately trying to find the name Mason Eb.

"Remus stop, we both know the real reason why you're doing this." James argued getting in Remus' way as he looked for another book.

"Oh, really? What is it?"

"Your obsession with her, you're like in love with her or something! So here you are trying to find her attacker, trying to avenge her!"

Remus stopped looking at the books to turn to James, "Yeah, I like her. A lot, maybe too much. Would I go as far as to say love? Possibly. But that's weird, so I'm not going to say it. And James, because she's my friend she deserves to have this guy found. Will it help if we find this guy? Yes!" Remus continued looking through text books as he spoke. "This guy attacked her, she said he was part of the attackers. We find him, we find the attackers. We find the attackers, we stop more attacks from happening. So you go back and wait for her to wake up, I'll be here doing something."

James stepped back, both shocked and hurt by Remus' words. Remus flipped threw a few more pages before sighing, he turned to apologize to James for snapping at him only to find no one there. He sighed again before turning back to the book.

"Excuse me!" Called a voice.

Remus turned around and spotted a first year standing behind him. "Huh?"

The girl looked around her before speaking, "I need to talk to Miss Tank, now." She sounded nervous but entirely sure of herself.

"What do you mean?" Remus asked, confused. "Is something happening? A fight?"

"No nothing like that but I need to speak to her now."