A/N: I love my job. It's the work I can't stand. My position changed at work a while back. I'm doing more physical work and less sitting. That's why the postings are slower. I'm too tired to do anything during the week. I am getting used to it but now the holidays are approaching. Add to that my personal life and I'm amazed I'm posting anything. On the plus side, I still have three weeks of vacation time that I have to use before the end of the year.

As for the story, I will post at least every other week. You can tell how busy I am by how long the chapters are.

By the way, in the previous chapter, Lucius answers the phone, says something then ends the call. That was deliberately stolen from Calvin and Hobbes.

Tonks

I remember the only time I ever violated the Statute of Secrecy, accidentally. A few minutes later, the girl told me she had decided to marry me. As she smiled, I decided she was right. I did insist that we first finish school.

Lucius Malfoy was not angry at her. She did manage to save the world. His first question, after she gave her full report, made Tonks worry.

"Your basis for using an unforgivable curse?"

"Hallie, boss. She made it clear that information was the most important thing in a field assignment. The Imperious Curse is the fastest way to interrogate a hostile alien, unless they're immune, of course. And we DID end up saving the world because of it."

"To be honest, I wouldn't have thought of it." Lucius gave her a brief smile before his standard frown returned. "As to the young man, Luke. Did he reveal himself to you?"

"Well, we kinda told each other things."

"At the pub?"

"Being hit with a sobering charm makes you thirsty." That was the truth but it didn't sound right when she said it out loud. "And it wasn't then, it was later."

"Your place or his?"

Tonks swallowed. She knew what he was implying. And she knew she should say something. "His." She grinned at a memory. "He has a dog."

"And why is that funny?"

"Look, Lucius, we didn't do anything, and not because we're saving ourselves for marriage. All we did was talk."

Lucius was almost glaring at her. "Did he tell you about himself? His origins?"

"I promised I wouldn't tell."

"Is he an alien?"

Tonks laughed. That was a question she didn't expect. "No way. I would know." She saw the way her boss was looking at her. "I mean . . . I can't tell you how I know."

Lucius eyed her carefully as he mulled over what she had said. Then he asked her, "Is he normal?"

"He's a bloody genius. He figured out where we were in that house by looking out the window." She smiled, almost laughed, "And he figured out what you meant while I was still trying to get the McFusty clan to calm down."

That made Lucius smile as well. Still, his frown returned. "How much did you tell him?"

"About magic. Everything he asked. And he answered every question I had. He has powerful friends, Lucius."

"Including the one who helped you get to the alien ship, which UNIT is most grateful for, if slightly confused. Your 'compliments of Torchwood' note help relieve their anxiety." Lucius leaned forward. "Have you ever heard of The Doctor?"

Tonks surprised him by nodding. "Luke told me. His mother used to travel with him. That's who he was trying to call." She paused. "I saw it. From the window. The blue box."

"I thought you promised not to tell."

"Only about Luke."

"Then we'll let him keep his secrets. As far as his personal life is concerned." Lucius was giving her that look again, the one that said he was trying to decide something. Finally, he said, "I would appreciate it if you would see him again." He added, with emphasis, "I'm not asking you to do 'anything'. I only want to keep a line on him, know what he's doing, in case another situation arises."

"He won't join Torchwood. And he's not a freelancer." Tonks smiled again. "And we have a date on Saturday."

"Oh," Lucius said softly. "Well . . . let him know he can ask for help if he ever needs it."

Tonks nodded. She did have a question of her own. "Luke told me about the Doctor. That he regenerates. And . . . um . . ."

"And John regenerates?" Lucius asked. When she nodded, he told her, "that information is not to be spread about. Is that understood?"

"Then John is . . . ?"

"Was. He is now a wizard going into his second year at Hogwarts. And his past is his own." He added forcefully, "Is that understood?"

Tonks nodded, again. It wasn't her place to ask. How John came to his current situation was something that she would only know if he decided to tell her, himself. "Is there anything else?" she asked, as she wiped a tear from her eye.

Lucius was looking at the table.

"About John, there is one thing you must remember. He is only a boy of twelve. His has his whole life in front of him. Who knows what he will make of it." He smiled as he looked up. A warm smile. "There is no need to feel sorry for him. There is never a reason." He paused. "Hermione Granger. She might compromise . . . John's . . . position. Do you have any ideas? I only want to keep her quiet. I don't want her involved."

"Can I get back to you on that?" She shook her head lightly. If the Granger girl was as smart as everyone said, she would figure out John's secret, if she hadn't already.

Tonks left the office with mixed feelings. In the last month, her entire world had changed. She nearly died and ended up saving the world. A legend became real for her. There was an unspoken fear in the back of her head. What sort of dangers were lurking out there? What would she have to face? And what other wonders were there for her to discover?

Ritchie was finishing his latest tutorial. He looked up when he saw her watching him.

"You okay, Tonks."

"Never better, little one. You doing anything Saturday? I'm meeting a friend. He's giving me a tour of Cambridge. Thought you might like to invite that girlfriend of yours on a date."

He looked surprised. And grateful. "Yeah. Thanks. I'll have to ask Mum, first and . . ."

"Let me know."

He returned her smile. Tonks left him and made her way to the apparation platform. She would have to let Lucius know that she would talk to the girl.

It was almost noon.

Hermione Granger was looking at her. Her parents were looking at her as well, but their look was more of concern for their daughter. The girl, however, was sizing her up. Trying to judge what kind of person Tonks was.

"You're the reason I agreed, "Hermione said in a concerned tone. "I'm curious how you know Ritchie."

Tonks gave a friendly laugh. "You're the reason I know him. I was one of the Aurors to confront him after he visited you at the train station." She gave the Grangers her best smile.

"What exactly is an Auror?" Mister Granger asked out of curiosity.

"I'm what you'd call a detective. I think that's the right word. Dad said it was. He's a muggle like you. And we have Ritchie running around the office, sorting files and stuff."

"And why do you have a muggle boy working for you? I would think you'd give the work to a young wizard or witch."

"This'un," Tonks said, nodding at Hermione. "She's the reason he decided. He's a scheming runt and my boss likes the idea . Go figure." She said, in a loud whisper. "I think Uncle Lucius did it because he likes you."

Hermione's look remained steady. And she was now curious. "Why is Mister Malfoy working for the Ministry?"

Tonks gave her prepared answer. "A favour for the Minister. His son did save the school. While you were sneaking about where you shouldn't."

She would have to tell Lucius that it worked exactly as he predicted. Hermione blushed while her parents politely laughed at the gentle rebuke. Tonks squeezed her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I've done a few things I shouldn't as well. And I won't tell you about them."

The doorbell rang. Mrs. Malfoy excused herself. Her husband used the time to ask one more question. About the outing.

Tonks told him the truth. Mostly. Luke invited her to meet a pair of his mates from London. He was showing them the city. She didn't want to go alone. At least now they'd be three on three. And she wanted to do Ritchie a favour.

Hermione's mum entered the den with the boy in question in tow. He was grinning wildly, dressed casually but wearing a tie and holding a bouquet of flowers in his gloved hands. He presented them to Hermione with the words, "Mum insisted. She said it was our first date." He had the courtesy to blush harder than Hermione when Mrs. Granger commented on how lovely they were. She then took the bouquet from her daughter on the premise that they should be put in water.

"Betcha Luke won't give me flowers." Tonks commented.

"Betcha he doesn't live with his mum," Ritchie retorted.

"Ready," Tonks asked.

"Was that your car outside?" Ritchie asked.

"Dad's. He said I could borrow it."

"You can drive?"

"Even have a license. Dad insisted it could be useful." She smiled. "And it is. And if anyone asks. You're both muggles." She eyed Hermione. "Do you have your wand?"

"No. I know not to take it."

"Get it," Tonks said strongly. "A witch always has her wand. Just in case."

"Are you sure?" Mr. Granger asked. "They're only going to walk around and tour the schools."

Tonks paused. She asked herself if it was only because of what she had been through. She then decided yes, and that was reason enough. "Probably not, but I'd feel better if I knew she could take care of herself if something happened."

Perhaps it was her tone, but Mr. Granger nodded and agreed his daughter should take her wand. She also changed her blouse to one with long sleeves. Tonks conjured a wand holder for her and helped cast a charm so that people would not notice the wand even if they saw it.

As they drove north, Hermione was full of questions for Tonks. The first was how did she conjure the holder. Tonks said she called it from her home. Hermione could learn the spell in her fifth year, or read the textbook when she went back to school. "If Lucius is telling the truth, you're smart enough to figure it out on your own."

The rest of the questions were about what to expect. Would they have time to visit the library at Oxford? How did she meet this boy, Luke? Were they serious? The answers were: Not as much time as you would like; they were working on the same case, for different reasons; Serious in working together. They were only friends, and only because of a shared experience. Then she answered Ritchie's question. She had no idea what Luke's mates were like.

Tonks asked a question of her own. Why weren't the two of them trying to catch up on each other? Hermione pointed out that Ritchie had a spell phone. They talked to each other two or three times a week. Ritchie admitted that his mum was worried about this trip. She thought it might be Sirius Black.

"Your mum don't like Sirius?"

"She likes him fine. She doesn't trust him. Says he's more likely to be arrested for drink driving than get us to Cambridge."

"Sirius doesn't drive."

"I'll tell Mum. She'll be relieved."

Tonks pulled into the car park. Luke was waiting, he assured her, for over three minutes. Her timing was perfect. Then came the introductions. He introduced her to his friends, Clyde and Rani. She pegged them as a young black man and a girl of Indian descent and, by the way they were holding hands, in the early stages of love.

"You did good, young padawan," Clyde said as he shook her hand. "Luke told us all about you."

Tonks smiled but she was looking at Luke. Luke was looking at the ground. "How much is all?"

Luke actually shuffled his feet. "I was telling Mum. I told you I would. We were in the yard. And they didn't tell me they were there."

"He did say not to tell anyone, well, not to us." Clyde was trying to give a friendly smile.

It was Rani who calmed the situation. "It's not Clyde's fault. It's mine. The last time Luke kept a secret from us . . . it almost came to a bad end." She paused, meeting Tonks eye to eye. "Luke's our friend. It's as simple as that. I'll keep his secrets. He keeps mine." She smirked. "Watch out for Clyde, though."

"WAIT," Clyde shouted. "Why me? You admitted it was your fault." He smiled at the two children. "Um, do they know?"

"About me," Tonks said, still feeling anger about the revelation.

Clyde smiled at Hermione and held out his hand. "Clyde Langer. And are you a witch, too?"

"Hermione Granger," came the curt answer, "and no, I'm a muggle." A touch of anger. "At least, I was supposed to be."

"I'm a muggle," Ritchie volunteered.

"What's a muggle?" Rani asked. "Is it some sort of magic rank?"

Tonks was proud of herself. She answered the question without laughing.

Luke gave them the grand tour of Oxford. He also won Hermione's heart when he said they were going first to his favorite place and it turned out to be the Bodleian Library.

"What's to see in a library?" Clyde asked without enthusiasm.

Hermione began walking past the library entrance toward where a gate blocked the road.

"Is that the Radcliffe Camera?" She sounded as though it were Christmas and she spotted Father Christmas waving at her.

"It's the oldest circular library in Britain," Ritchie recited to the others. "Hermione told me."

Tonks looked around, frowning. "This isn't the right library, then?"

"She told me about that as well," Ritchie said, "the library has several buildings." His tone said he was happy to give the information although he was not that happy when he received it. Who wants to talk to a girl he likes about great places to find books.

Luke was ignoring them and talking to Hermione. "It's used as a reading room, these days. Would you like to see inside?"

"Do you have a favorite place to sit?" she asked.

"I do. I'll show you." As they walked into the building, Luke could be commenting that entire library held 120 miles of shelving filled with books.

"She wouldn't be a genius by any chance?" Rani asked.

"Smartest witch in her year," Ritchie answered with pride.

Two hours later, Luke and Hermione came out of the library. They were best of friends for life. Hermione proudly showed everyone her guest pass. She said she would treasure it. Rani called Clyde that he and Ritchie should come back from wherever they were. Tonks merely grinned at Luke. He had a rare treat. A chance to show off to someone who was also smart.

The rest of the tour was anticlimactic. Exterior views of Luke's dorm and the buildings where his classes were held. Interior views of the Museum of Natural History and the Pitt River Museum. Curiously, Clyde saw the totem pole and decided to wait outside. Ritchie offered to join him. They could hunt up another comic book store.

Luke led the remainder of the group over to one of the exhibits. He pointed to an aboriginal battle shield. It had short vertical blue stripes, black stripes that paralleled and crossed the blue stripes. One short white stripe horizontal above the blue stripes.

"Do you see it?" Luke asked. "Tonks? I know you saw it. Rani? Think abstract art?"

Tonks thought about the blue. And the white stripe. The thought struck her. If you were to write the word, police, in the white . . .

"The ship?"

Luke smiled as he nodded his head. Rani burst into a smile.

"I see it. It's the Tardis?"

"I can't prove it, but it makes sense. The Doctor does get around."

"I met him," Hermione said in surprise.

"Then you're going to hate me," Luke said, "I met him three times, the last time after he regenerated. He even gave me a ride home in the Tardis."

"Regenerated?"

Tonks froze. It was suddenly time for a private conversation. "Hermione, how smart are you?"

"Is . . ." Hermione paused, her eyes wide. "Uh . . . I had a . . ."

Tonks waved her wand. "They won't hear us."

Hermione nodded. She said one word. "John." Two more words, a question. "The Doctor?"

"I'll give you Lucius' answer to me when I figured it out. John was. He's now a twelve year old wizard. I guess he doesn't talk much about, you know, back then."

Hermione nodded her head.

"Look, Hermione, just don't say anything to them about John. And, for his sake, don't talk it around."

"Can we talk later? The two of us?"

"I'll make the time if I have to."

Hermione gave her a quick hug, and Tonks cancelled the spell. She turned to Luke and Rani. "Sorry about that. Another one of those things I can't tell."

"Useful spell," Luke admitted. He looked at Rani. "I could have used it the other day."

"Then I wouldn't have made a new friend," Rani said as she grabbed Tonks hand and squeezed it.

They left the museum to search for the remainder of their group. Hermione asked why Clyde liked comics so much. Rani said that he drew them. He even had a contract to develop a storyline. Tonks heard the pride in her voice when Hermione said, "he's an artist?!"

As they ate, the subject turned again to the Doctor. Hermione was coerced, without difficulty, to describe her meeting, including how Draco was supposed to be ginger. She listened in wonder as the others told what they knew. Tonks had heard most of it from Luke, but now three others were telling their stories. It made Tonks think.

The Doctor was supposed to have been a great man. How the mighty had fallen. But had the mighty fallen at all? Lucius said it. John was beginning his life anew. He was capable of anything. Tonks smiled to herself. Considering John's past, the boy WAS capable of anything.