They watched in shock as the portkey appeared and while Cassey and Bella ran straight for Rodolphus who was shaking badly and bleeding, all other eyes were on Moody who held Tonks in his arms. Andromeda and Ted who had been summoned ran to their daughter's side.
Andromeda was in tears for her daughter's hair was brown and even sleeping she had never seen her so still before. "No. No. Not my Dora."
Moody was shaken but he managed to speak. "Not yet. She is alive but barely. I need a healer."
Since they had the only apartments on the main floor which were already set up and did not need to be made ready Severus and Luke led them into their apartments which were just down the hall. There was a third bedroom not being made into a nursery and moments after Moody had Tonks lying in bed, Poppy came.
Rodolphus stood in the door. "She was hit by a number of cruciatus. I tried to get her to take the portkey but she forced it on me. I'd have never left her."
Moody looked at the man and back down at the woman he loved. "I know. I know how stubborn Dora is. Now you have to be stubborn Dora, I need you."
Her parents had never really approved of her relationship with Moody who was disfigured and older then she was and her teacher but they were silent. They knew that he loved her thought and their daughter had never been so happy.
Poppy sighed. "I have done what I can. There was no permanent damage to her organs or anything but the torture itself..."
Moody knew she was thinking of what had happened to the Longbottoms. "I can't loose you. You said yes. You can't leave me after you said yes. You can't."
No one had any idea what he was talking about. Rodolphus had passed on the last words before he had left. All she had wanted before he left was for Alastor to know that she had said yes. They were all surprised when they saw a diamond ring come out of the man's pocket.
He leaned down and kissed her lips. "You need to wake. I have been proposing for three months and you finally said yes. Please wake Dora, please I need you."
Andromeda came to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. "She will. She is stubborn and in love. You will be putting that ring on her finger."
Though finding out her daughter and this man were to be engaged would have been a shock, right now it was a comfort. It was a comfort knowing their daughter had something to fight for. She had more then the war to come back for. They had believed that Moody would never settle down and have kids. It was one of the reasons that they had tried to convince her he was too old. They knew she wanted a husband and kids one day and didn't believe Alastor would ever give it to her.
Ted came over. "We will throw you two a wedding when she wakes. I know we were never approving of you being with her but we will support this. I promise."
He looked up. "I know you were worried about my age and not wanting to marry and have kids. I told her when I proposed I wanted kids with her. I want it all."
Even Tonks had been taken back by that. She had told her parents that Moody would come around one day to marriage and hopefully kids but even she had been concerned he never would. She had told herself she could live without kids. But he had realized he wanted not only a wife but a family. He had told her when he had proposed that he wanted to offer her the world. She had been uncertain he meant it for she thought he was just scared by the war and refused to answer.
He kissed her hand. "She told me she would say yes when I proved that I meant it. She would agree to be my wife when she knew I wanted it and not just her."
Sirius had been summoned and came in. "Another generation of little aurors? You know we definitely need her to wake to see that."
Sirius was one of the few people who had known about them from the start. He had not only known about them from the start but had supported it. He had known his old boss well enough to know if he was actually calling her Dora and opening his heart, he meant it. He knew the man would be good for his cousin. He was probably one of the few people alive who ever imagined Moody as a father type but he did. He had been trying to convince Tonks for three months now to say yes to Moody. He thought she was just allowing the fears of her parents to finally get to her after all that time.
Luke was in his husband's arms. "I love her. She is my cousin. I can't loose her Sev. It is so unfair that we rescued Alice and Tonks might..."
Severus cut him off with a warm kiss. "She did not suffer for hours like Neville's parents did. She will come back from this. She had too much to live for."
Though he had a point about the length it brought little comfort. Alice and Frank had been aurors like Tonks and far stronger. Luke knew it was said the three best aurors ever to work in the ministry were Moody and the Longbottoms. They had their son to come back too but they hadn't. No one wanted to say it but they knew there was a good chance that Alice would not be the only one sent to a hospital.
Sirius came to Luke's side and pulled his godson in for a hug. "She'll come back. Don't give up hope yet. Her little godson needs her remember. As do we all."
Luke held to him. "I have loved her since I got to know her but finding out she is actually family, I can't stand if I lost her. I have lost enough people in my life."
Though the Potters were not his real parents and he loved his parents they all knew the pain was still there and probably always would be in a way. It seemed such a cruel joke that Tonks might in saving Alice, end up in the same catatonic state as the woman. She had risked her life for a woman who was already lost to them, in order to return one parent to Neville after his dad was killed. They prayed this was not the cruel humour of some Gods and this was just a test of their faith and love.
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Albus was absolutely irate. He could not believe this was happening. Not only had they lost three men in the hospital but he had lost both Longbottoms. He had killed the man who had killed Frank for his own man had. But he had believed they still had a pawn in Alice. Now even she had slipped through their fingers.
Hestia came in. "Well it seems we have found two more of our rats. I know you always had your doubts about those two."
Albus sneered. "Tonks I should gave known considering the fact that her entire family is in that group but Alastor? I am still surprised in his betrayal."
Though he had often had his suspicions that Alastor was more loyal to his job then the order he had never thought the man was a member of that group. He had never believed that Moody was anything but either his dog or a ministry puppet. He could deal with Alastor working for the minister. He still had his uses. But this?"
Albus slammed a hand down on the desk. "You know this is going to cause problems. The ministry already had it out for us and now with Moody outed."
Hestia shook her head. "Can't we just make sure that Kingsley takes over the aurors for Moody? I mean the man has fled off to the continent some where."
Shaking his head he reminded the woman that Moody had not been fired. He would look even better to Fudge if the man learned he was against Albus. Fudge was an idiot who had never taken either side in this bloody war. He actually was one of the first people to see the dangers from both Albus and Voldemort. He had no doubt Cornelius was already coming up with ways to use this to get him outed from power. The man had been tying to remove him from Hogwarts for years now.
He sighed. "We need to find a way to spin this some how. I mean we can not make it look like those two were with Voldemort. It would make us look worse."
Hestia nodded. "We can claim they were with our men and they got attacked. Neither of them are around to argue. We can claim Voldemort took Alice."
No one was sure who actually managed to get into the house in the first place for who ever had taken Alice had not been seen. He had his suspicions for he knew it was likely an animagus for no human had been seen. He knew Lucius was one but the world believed him dead and it would not help their cause for the world to know that he was alive. For now they needed to make sure that this did not hurt their cause in any way.
Hestia stood. "I think those traitors should be known but you're right. Too many people know that they are members of the Order of the Phoenix."
Albus was relieved she understood. "It will raise too many questions about our order and we already have enough to deal with. We do not need Fudge on our back."
He had been dealing all year with the stupid toad of a woman by the name of Dolores Umbridge. He knew that the woman had been sent there to keep an eye on him but he was amazed at just how far she went with that. She was flaunting her power left and right and making it nearly impossible for him to run his own school.
When she was gone he went to the floo and called for Arthur. "I would like for you to come through to the school."
Arthur of course knew what had happened. "You know I am happy to come. Open the floo and I will step through right now."
Doing so Albus was relieved when the man came through and collected him in is arms. His beloved first pet always knew what was needed. He needed to get his mind off of what had happened. None of the kids here in school could do that for him. His pets were up in his room and though he enjoyed seeing their bellies, he needed a new comfort right now.
Arthur led him up to their bedroom and stripped. "You know I am always here for you master."
Albus removed his own with his wand. "Pet always knows what his master needs from him doesn't he? You're far too good to me my trusted pet."
As his master sunk into him Arthur did not mind. He did not really care one way or another. Albus was a good fuck and he got well compensated as did his wife and older sons for his service. He was not the innocent eleven year old who first was told what was happening. And even then he was scared but willing.
Albus grunted as he emptied himself in Arthur and after cleaning them off he pulled the man down. "You will spend the night here with me my pet. I need you."
It had been since he was a teen since he had to but he nodded. "Of course master. You know I am willing to be here and offer you any comfort you need."
Albus sunk his teeth into the man's collar bone for a moment before drawing away with a small smile. "You should consider moving here and warming my bed."
Smiling Arthur assured him he'd like nothing else. He had not found pleasure in his wife in years. And while Albus was about money and power, he knew if he lived here with the man he would be allowed to continue exploring the student body in a whole new way as well. Both is sons were already engaged and set for life thanks to this man and he saw no point with being home with Molly. Besides she had a few of her own lovers as well. She'd probably move one in as soon as he left.
Albus prepared to take him again. "I will send a house elf to inform Molly and bring your things. I need the comfort of my true pet here with me by my side always."
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Three days had passed since Tonks had come to the manor and she was never alone. Moody never left her side but for the bathroom but everyone else came and went. Sirius and Remus brought the twins and Luke and Draco were there often. Severus had used legimency slightly on Tonks. He had not wanted to get Moody or anyone else's hopes up for he knew there was still a chance but her mind was still there, not like the Longbottoms.
One morning when Luke was sitting with Moody at her bedside he noticed her hand move and woke Moody. "I think she might be waking."
Moody looked down at her and he too noticed the movement and he knew her well enough to know it was true. "Go get her parents and tell them."
Watching as Luke left the room Moody stood up from the chair he had been in and sunk down onto the bed next to her. He gently reached down and kissed her on the lips. He had never been one to believe in fairy tales but right now if something would wake her he would try. He thought the kids in the house were rubbing off.
He held her hand. "Come on Dora, please come on. You said yes, now I need you to wake. You finally made me realize I want to marry and have kids. Please."
Tonks' eyes started to flutter open. "Alastor? I love you."
Luke had returned with her parents and his as well as Sirius and Remus, and Severus but as they stood in the doorway they kept their distance for a time. They were all amazed to see one of the toughest men out there crying like a baby nearly as he looked into her eyes, so relieved she had come back to him.
Tonks reached out to touch his face. "Did Rodolphus give you my message?" and when he nodded. "Then where is my ring?"
Moody managed a small smile and took it out. "I love you more then life Nymphadora, you make me want to be a dad and a husband and a better man. I want to spend my life with you. Marry me Nymphadora."
Tonks was in tears. "Yes, on the one condition you never call me that again."
Sliding the ring on to her hand he took her into his arms kissing her over and over again. He had never called her the full name before, Dora when he was worried. He swore he would never use it again. He'd call her Tonks even when they wed. He'd call her anything as long as she was his wife and not leaving him again.
Andromeda came over and surprised her daughter with her words. "We are so relieved to see you awake, we can't lose you. And so happy for you and Alastor."
Tonks looked at her dad who nodded. "You approve? I thought you didn't want me to marry him. You said he was too old for me."
Ted came to her side. "We were worried he'd never want to settle down and have kids but he has proved he wants to. We are so happy for you Dora. I swear."
The rest of the family came spilling in and they were all happy for the couple. Luke was still a bit surprised for he had only found out recently that the two were together but she thought that they made a wonderful couple and was so happy for the two of them.
Neville and his gran had come and he sunk down next to her and hugged her. "Thank you. I know you could have died for my mom. Thank you."
Tonks held him. "I wanted to make sure you didn't loose them both. I am just sorry we were not able to rescue your dad as well."
She was relieved to see that Rodolphus was fine as well and to hear that Lucius had got Alice out in one piece. Rodolphus was angry for her making him leave her behind. She reminded him that he had a family who needed him and she was single.
Moody cut her off. "We will marry as soon as you are better and we will be working on changing that. You will soon not have such an excuse if I have my way."
Tonks pulled him back for a kiss. "You know I wanted to come back to you. I love you Alastor. And I agree I want to marry right away and start for a child."
They would never have considered it before until after the war for they were both aurors but Tonks doubted she'd ever be able to go back. They were still aurors because Cornelius would want them around to bring down Albus. But they both knew Albus would be out for their blood now that he knew they were traitors.