A/N: Just want to say thanks to all my reviewers!
Tonks's POV
I was writing up a stupid report on vampire cooperation, when the news came. Everyone in the Auror office jumped up, grabbed their wands, and reported for duty at the assigned post. There had been a mass breakout from Azkaban. I Apparated to my post, which was Hogsmeade. I doubted the Death Eaters would come to Hogsmeade, no, they'll probably go to their master. I cursed as I paced, wanting a better post. Kingsley's job was in Azkaban, to interrogate the dementors and see the damage. Of course he gets the actual work. I still held my wand steady and was prepared.
I stood, ready, as wanted posters started going up around Hogsmeade. I sighed as I thought on the Death Eaters. Antonin Dolohov, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, Mulciber, Augustus Rookwood, Travers, and three other Death Eaters had escaped. My mind traveled to the Lestranges. I was, unfortunately, related to them. Even though my family was disowned, we still shared a very small portion of blood. I shuddered to think what would happen if word got out that I was related to some pretty bad Death Eaters. Not nearly as bad as the whole Barty Crouch incident, though.
Of course nothing happened at Hogsmeade, but I was reported to go back every day for a week. The reports were coming in, with nothing on them. The Death Eaters had escaped successfully. The dementors are to blame, but I doubt Fudge would say that. Finally, the Ministry decided to relieve me of my post, saying how they are going to go scouting with the elite Aurors, and I'll be best at home. I was annoyed, yet I headed to Headquarters.
Molly greeted me as I came in, "Tonks are you alright?"
"Yeah, not too scratched up," I said, going to the kitchen and sitting down.
"Where's Kingsley?" asked Arthur, worriedly.
"Scouting with the other elite Aurors," I said, rubbing my eyes. "Did Fudge publish anything? I've been on a post all week and got next to no news."
"Fudge did publish something," said Sirius, nonchalantely. Arthur dug out a copy of The Daily Prophet from a week ago and began reading.
"Mass Breakout from Azkaban Ministry fears Black is 'Rallying Point' for old Death Eaters
The Ministry of Magic announced late last night that there has been a mass breakout from Azkaban.
Speaking to reporters in his private office, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening, and that he has already informed the Muggle Prime Minister of the dangerous nature of these individuals.
'We find ourselves, most unfortunately, in the same position we were two and a half years ago when the murderer Sirius Black escaped,' said Fudge last night. 'Nor do we think the two breakouts are unrelated. An escape of this magnitude suggests outside help, and we must remember that Black, as the first person ever to break out of Azkaban, would be ideally place to help others follow in his footsteps. We think it likely that these individuals, which include Black's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, have rallied around Black as their leader. We are, however, doing all we can to round up the criminals and beg the magical community to remain alert and cautious. On no account should any of these individuals be approached."
After reading it aloud, Arthur gave it to me. I snorted. "Wow, Fudge really has branched out. I haven't talked to Kingsley yet, but I know he thinks it is the dementors fault. It has to be."
Remus nodded. "That's what we think. We've been discussing a lot this past week. We're glad you're safe."
Remus knew I would rather be in the thick of the battle than at a safe haven, yet he still expects me to be careful. Our eyes met and a silent argument happened, debating whether or not, I should risk myself to help the Death Eaters or let the other Aurors do the work.
"Well, good luck, Tonks," said Arthur.
"Thanks Arthur. Bye Molly. See ya Sirius. Bye Remus."
"You're leaving already?" asked Molly.
"My post starts up again this afternoon, I got to go get ready." I said, standing.
The Aurors were on full alert for a month. Which means I didn't get any good night sleeps for a month. What made this frustrating is that the search was going nowhere. We couldn't find these Death Eaters. I visited my parents to make sure they were safe. Of course, my mom gave a huge lecture on being safe. My dad just hugged me and made me promise I wouldn't do anything rash. I promised that, and then I had to go. I did go on a couple of scouting missions with Kingsley and the other Aurors. We didn't find a trail of destruction, which is what they were expecting. Yet, no dark mark appeared in the sky, and the strange disappearances were still really strange. It was annoying, but there was nothing I could do but wait, wait for Fudge to see, wait for the Death Eaters to come out in the open, and wait for the war to begin.