(DISCLAIMER: J.K.Rowling owns all that is even remotely recognizable as
Harry Potter).
Ann v 79 – Jess isn't enjoying it much either*.
Cecilia Orechio - Tonks,! Harry sort of? Have a great day*.
Diosa Alexia – I bet you looked somewhat like Jess did ' what the' *.
Snow angel222- Yes they will, Sirius doesn't hate her exactly he just hates being deceived *.
LuvAsInfinity - I'll try and add more James, thanks for the emails*.
Clare – she'll have someone soon*.
JCs DancerGurl – Thanks I hope you enjoy this chapter*.
Fra – Jess doesn't particularly like the idea either*.
Tessa – no Remus and Sirius fight*.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*.
(** Denotes Tonks' analyzing thoughts)
Chapter 36; ~~ From the frying pan into the fire.~~
Rosemary quickly descended the elegant marble stairs her eyes transfixed on the two opened large English oak doors, a rising feeling of satisfied accomplishment ballooning deep inside as she watched Lily trudge wet footsteps back inside, her hand pushing back her saturated hair from her face.
"She's gone?" Rosemary inquired trying to contain her excitement at finally ridding herself of the woman that she regarded as driving a wedge between her and Remus.
"Lillian!," Max called, briskly trotting up to her with a steaming coffee in his hand, his gaze drifting down to the water pooling at her feet.
"Who was suppose to be on the door?" she snapped her eyes riveted on Rosemary who leaned against the banister grinning smugly.
"That was me, but I only left my post momentarily to give Sirius the inventory scroll and grab a coffee, was there a problem?" he asked following Lily's gaze to Rosemary.
"Yes we have a problem, Max" Lily said stepping over towards Rosemary.
"Let go of me!" Rosemary loudly protested pulling back as Lily held a firm grip on her arm almost dragging her towards the dinning hall.
`~*`~*`~*`~*`~
Harry rested back onto the table behind him, the dinning hall now virtually devoid of any diners as Remus, Sirius and James continued to have their heated discussion over by the glass doors, James glanced over to him giving a tiresome smile before resting his hand on Remus's shoulder.
The peculiar sensation Harry had carried for the last couple of days swept up pulling at his emotional stings again, as it occurred to him that he was witnessing the Marauders, the makers of mischief, Prongs, Moony and Padfoot, the only one missing was the traitor Wormtail, who Harry surmised should never of even been considered as one of them, his lack of character, backbone or loyalty never making him a true Marauder.
Even in their argument there was never any malice toward each other, just what seemed an irritating lack of understanding as Remus pushed his point of view across to Sirius who in return pushed his point of view back, Harry quietly chuffed to him as he reflected on where he was, well what he knew of where he was at least, quite by accident he now had living and breathing around him what he had only been able to see in the mirror of Erised, his parents.
His thoughts drifted to Nicole as he looked at Sirius, the envy he had initially felt towards her for her bonds with her father, and the niggling resentment he had first had towards Jessica for what he seen as taking a piece of his godfather away from him, at first deeming them as intruders in the relationship he had with Sirius, but never once letting his feelings known, he hoped.
Harry's attention was drawn towards the door to the loud voices coming down the corridor, his mother stormed into the room, her hand firmly clamped around Rosemary's arm who continued to protest over her treatment as she was dragged over to James.
"What is going on?" Remus questioned as Rosemary pulled away from Lily wrapping her arms around him as she sobbed.
"Jess has gone", Lily told them looking directly at Sirius.
"What do you mean she's gone?", James asked for more clarification of the term as Remus turned his attentions on Sirius.
"Now see what you've done!" Remus snapped.
"No Remus, it wasn't Sirius, it was Rosemary", Lily said stepping between the two wizards.
"She just took what I said the wrong way Rem", Rosemary whimpered into his chest.
"Which part did she take the wrong way?" Lily snarled, as Remus ran his hand over Rosemary's head soothing her, "The part where Remus is going to bind the baby's powers or the part where we're going to send her up to the Tain's to the Mental Hospital?".
"You said what?" Sirius bellowed.
Remus stepped back from Rosemary, lifting her face to look at him, he had no need for words or an explanation he could see it all clearly in her eyes, "When are you going to realize there's nothing going on between me and her, she's carrying a child for us, for us Rose!", Remus snapped hold her face in a vice like grip.
"How long has she been gone?" Sirius questioned.
"About ten minutes ago" Lily said as she hurriedly followed him with James and Harry.
"Michael race up an get our robes" James ordered as Sirius ran up the stairs ahead of him, "Tell me she had a robe on" he asked turning to Lily as Max joined them.
"No, just the white dress" Lily said .
"Shit!, Shit, she's going to stand out like a red rag to a bull", James snapped pulling his glasses from his face and rubbing his eyes, "Max put everyone on alert and make Albus aware of the situation" James said quickly dismissing him.
"I'm coming with you's" Remus said pulling on his robe as he rushed up the corridor behind them.
"No sorry Moony, I'm not having you going off half- cocked out there, besides we need someone here incase she comes back, plus you need to deal with someone else" James said looking over to Rosemary as she leaned against the wall tears streaming down her face as she watched Remus.
Sirius bound back down the stairs with Harry, all of them hastily pulling on their robes, "Max grab us something small to use as a portkey", Sirius yelled to him before turning and resting his hands on Harry's shoulders.
"He's not coming with us, its too risky" Lily objected looking to James for support.
"Lil, Michael's the only person that knows where she'd go" James said pulling her hood up.
"And he's the only one amongst us that has an idea where her mind is at" Sirius added turning back to glance at Lily.
Harry raised a questioning eyebrow to Sirius as he looked back at him, he wasn't sure if anyone knew how Jessica's mind worked at times.
"Who would she turn to for help?, or head to for safety?" Sirius asked.
"She'd, probably head to Arabella's or her friend Allie, but then again she might go back to Grimmauld place," Harry said apprehensively as he racked his brain for an answer.
"We'll head to Greens Park , you head over to Grimmauld Place" James said to Sirius taking the hip flask from Max's hand.
"Greens Park?" harry questioned.
"To Arabella, that is where you said she would go" James reminded him as he pulled opened the doors.
"Yeah I said Arabella but she's not in Greens Park ,well not to us, she's in Magnolia Crescent Surrey" Harry informed his father.
James paused for a second looking to Lily , "Surrey it is then" James said ushering them both out into the rain.
"We'll let you know the minute we find her" Lily reassured Remus before he closed the door behind them.
Winding there way down the steep incline in the sopping rain Harry could feel the eyes of the guards patrolling the grounds all watching their ever move, Sirius glanced back at James giving an acknowledging nod before dashing off into the woodlands.
Harry followed his parents as they moved deeper into the foreboding forest, a seemingly impenetrable air crept over his skin causing him to shiver slightly as they passed through the familiar wards protecting the castle from unwelcome visitors.
James came to a stop in a small clearing cautiously pulling the black hip flask from his robe while constantly eyeing the surrounding area .
"Portus" Lily's wand touched the flask turning it a glowing blue as it trembled in James hand before returning to normal, "Have your wands ready" James said handing them the portkey, Harry felt the now familiar tickling pull in his stomach as he and his mother made their way to Magnolia Crescent.
"Now stay alert" James warned as Harry felt the thud of the dry ground beneath his feet, regaining his bearing he looked down the almost unrecognizable baron street .
"This is Magnolia Crescent" James said pointing to the feeble old signpost as Harry gave them both a look of bewilderment.
Pulling his damp hood back Harry's eyes scanned what remained of the once peaceful suburban street he had called home for a short time, not one blade of grass nor any tree's showed signs of life, there wasn't a person or car to be seen or even heard, the eerie silence casting a chill through his body.
"Which house is it?" Lily questioned as they hastily made their way down the deserted road.
"It's err, the one down there, on the corner of Magnolia and Wisteria walk" Harry said pointing his wand somewhat uncertainly to the decayed remains of a house halfway down the block.
"What happened here?" Harry asked as they ran up to the house the stubble dead grass crunched loudly under their shoes.
"The Muggles always expected any conflict to come from the Middle East or Europe never from within their own country or from people they thought of as imaginary, when Voldemort seized power the Muggles didn't stand a chance, millions were killed and of those that survived well most of them are beggars" explained his father.
The stale blistering air swept up around them as James hesitantly stepped in through the opened door, his wand poised for anything unexpected, "She's been here" James muttered crouching down and touching a still damp muddy footprint on the broken tiled floor.
Harry followed his mother as James searched what remained of the crumbling house, rats scurried across the decomposing refuse that littered the floor in front of them, dust laden cobwebs hung from the ceiling even the spiders had long since departed.
"Prongs" Sirius voice called from inside James robe, pulling the two way mirror from his pocket Sirius's face appeared before him, "She just turned up here, I couldn't get to her, she's gone inside".
"We'll be there in a minute" James groaned running his hand over his face, as things went from bad to worse.
()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()
Tonks laid quietly in the lavish downy bed her eyes glazed over staring vacantly towards the ceiling, her mind deep in thought as she tried to make some sense of the whole situation, her thoughts seeping back to yesterday morning.
** Rubbing her aching head she dragged her stiff and sore body up off the floor, looking around familiar but somewhat changed surroundings she found herself back at Grimmauld Place, but how?, the last thing she remembered was an immense white flash exploding out of the Orb.
An uneasiness rose up through her as she opened the door hesitantly glancing out into the corridor, following the sound of voices she moved down the stairs her hand gliding effortless over the smooth highly polished banister, her senses alerted to the immaculate surrounding, wall lanterns gleamed from the sun spilling in through the glass paneled front door, ' either Remus killed Kreacher and brought in an exceptionally skilled new house elf or something has gone very askew around here', the later thought causing her stomach to churn anxiously as with each step it seemed more the case.
"Feeling rather vengeful are we?".
Tonks spun on her heels looking back up the staircase to the man descending rapidly towards her, his dark eyes looking her over as he stopped a few feet from her, his features all too recognizable to her .
"Regulus?" her weak voice choked out as eyes soaked in a younger slightly scrawnier version of Sirius.
"Yeah, well I was the last time I checked" he chuckled, "By the way what in gods name have you done to your hair?" he asked giving her hair a playful scruff up as he walked passed her disappearing into the sitting room.
Tonks tentatively followed her cousin that she hadn't seen since she was a small child and only then in a photo, entering the room behind him all reality fled her.
"Nymphadora!! What in damn nation is that filthy garb your wearing?" Medea's retched voice bellowed as she sat at the extended dinning table sipping her tea , her disapproving scowl grazed over Tonks' jeans, well worn T-shirt and crumpled robe, "Don't stand there gawking with your mouth opened girl, speak when you're spoken to".
"I err, I, err ," Tonks babbled panic stricken as the hollering portrait sat living and breathing before her.
"Oh for blastered sakes get back up to your room and change, I will not have you sitting down at my table looking like some gutter whore" Medea chided whilst Regulus sat back chuckling to himself.
"I'll, I'll just go back upstairs" Tonks mumbled backing out of the room.
A thundering crash in the corridor brought Regulus to his feet, the sight of Tonks wearing his breakfast of bacon and eggs greeted him, "Am so sorry Master, she just stumbled into me" Kreacher cowered to Regulus before turning to glare at Tonks.
"Dora what have you done now?" Andromeda's soft voice spoke to her daughter lying sprawled out on the floor before her.
"Mum, I", what are you doing here?" Tonks stuttered as Regulus offered his hand to her.
"What, did you knock your head on the way down?" he asked sarcastically pulling her to her feet.
"I live here" Andromeda reminded her reading Tonks' intense expression.
"I shall go and muster up another breakfast Master" Kreacher informed Regulus as he picked up the last remains of food scraps from the floor.
"Be sure to scrub that rug, Kreacher" Medea screeched from the sitting room listening to every word that was uttered, "I Don't want any damn greasy marks left on my floor".
"Yes Mistress right away" Kreacher replied bowing as he made his way back down to the kitchen.
Tonks made her way back up the stairs heading for the bathroom believing a shower would bring her to her sense and out of this nightmarish dream, hastily closing the door her shock ridden body slumped back, the smell of fried eggs and greasy bacon infiltrating her, "Pull yourself together" she scolded herself taking several shaky steps and turning on the hot water faucet.
Closing her eyes she took in a few calming breaths as she removed her soiled clothing, "Alright, assess the situation, gather all relevant information without arising anyone's suspicions, keep calm and blend into your surroundings" she mumbled her Auror training check list as she stepped into the hot shower.
Face first she buried her head in the down pour of water letting it soothingly wash over her body, stepping back she refreshingly rubbed her hands over her face, her new found serenity was to be short lived as she opened her eyes, an ear piercing shriek vibrated around the room as her gaze fixed on her left forearm, to the dark mark burnt deep into her flesh , in sheer panic and little rational she grabbed for the soap scouring away at it like it was a temporary tattoo.
With her forearm red raw and her mind in a quagmire she dazedly shuffled her way over to the bedroom, regaining her strengths she opened the cupboard to a horde of black outfits , everything in there was black, Dress's, shoes, hats, skirt's and blouse's .
"What the hell?" she muttered desperately searching for a pair of jeans or slacks but to no avail , knowing she couldn't very well parade around in a towel she pulled a long black dress from it's hanger and slipped it on squirming and fidgeting as she tried to do up the tiny buttons at the back .
"Here let me help" her mother offered walking into the room, her normally warm soft complexion looked tired and worn out, her raven black hair had lost it's luster hanging limply about her face.
Tonks turned, her mothers hands making short work of the tiny slip buttons, "There all done" Andromeda said turning Tonks to face her, "You might want to tone down that orange hair, we don't want to upset Medea any further, do we" her mother giving her a cheeky grin.
"Mum" Tonks uttered going out on a limb, she asked again "What's,... what are you doing here?".
Andromeda sighed as she handed her a pair of black stockings, "I ask myself that question everyday," Her hand coming up to gently cup her daughters face, "I know Medea can be a cantankerous cow, but she offered us a roof over our heads when no one else would, mind you she reminds me of that fact everyday, now enough chit chat I have some errands to run for Medea so you try and keep from breaking anything today" her mother smiled.
Once finally mastering her stockings an item of clothing she ordinarily preferred to avoid she headed out, first inconspicuously searching each room trying to gain a fix on the situation, the room Remus and her had shared was prepared as a guest room and by the looks of it company was expected soon, down in the drawing room her eyes scrutinize The Black Family tapestry, her fathers name still remained but a hole , a date of death showing he'd died back in nineteen eighty five sent a shiver coursing over her skin, both her' and her mothers names had been restored , Sirius of course the dark sheep of the family remained a blast hole her, heart pounding faster at what was missing no date of death, Sirius was alive, Jessica too remained just a hole in the woven silk with two others just below them.
Unaware of precisely what had taken place with Harry and Jessica within the Orb Tonks headed up the stairs and into the attic, her intelligence gathering telling her more had occurred than just Sirius's resurrection.
Knowing Kreacher as always being a hoarder by nature she searched through dozens of boxes coming across one filled with old copies of The Daily Prophet, her eyes quickly skimming over every article looking for some clues as to what was going on.
"Well, well , what has gotten into you today, first the hair and outlandish clothes and now caught snooping through mothers things" Regulus said eyeing her with a hint of suspicion.
"I, I wasn't snooping, I was bored," Tonks said, her auror training giving her an edge in keeping herself reasonably calm , mentally reminding herself they were on the same side as he seen it, "I was just flicking through some old news papers of Kreachers, do you have a problem with that?" she inquired with a little bit more gusto .
"Hey, it don't bother me, it's all a load of junk if you ask me" Regulus smiled mockingly raising his hands in surrender to her, "Just don't let mother catch you up here, speaking of that very same person she demands your presence's in the drawing room".
"Demands?" Tonks questioned the thought of facing Medea again adding a nervous tinge to her voice as she struggled putting all the papers back into the box from whence they came.
"Ha, you know mother she never belittles herself to asking" He said laughing at her reaction.
The clock in the drawing room chimed in one o'clock just as Tonks entered the room, Medea's usual charm going straight to work, "Come in girl, instead of fidgeting in the blasted doorway".
"Medea, don't be so harsh on our young girl", a sickly smooth male voice came from over near the window.
"Harsh, yesterday she blasted my valuable sixteenth century renaissance vase to smithereens" Medea muttered giving Tonks a burning glare as she left the room.
Tonks stepped mindfully into the room a silent gasp escaped her as her eyes fixed on the haughty figure of Lucius Malfoy, his long white hair draping down over his black velvet robe, one hand eloquently resting on his lower back the other slowly turning his snake head cane in his long fingers.
"Come over here" his words firm and demanding.
Cautiously she closed the distance between them , his scent flooding her senses his haunting grey eyes catching her by surprise as he turned to greet her, "What, not even a hug?" he said cocking a teasing brow at her.
"Lu-cius" Tonks choked out with as much pleasantness as she could gather, closing her eyes tightly she stepped into his opened arms, her own arms tentatively wrapping around him.
"So tense my dear" he whispered in her ear, his hand gently rubbing at her back, "I have missed not having you around the estate" his breathe flushing her skin, his lips brushing across her cheek as Tonks pulled back from him.
Placing some space between them Tonks stood with her head lowered unable to meet his prying eyes, inwardly her body trembled, outwardly she appeared to hold her own.
"Something is troubling you my sweet?" his words churning her stomach.
"No, no, just Medea is so, so Medea" Tonks uttered softly lifting her gaze slightly.
"Yes she is isn't she" Lucius chuckle, "Not to worry, tomorrow after I tie up some loose ends we'll head back to the up to the estate together" .
"What loose ends?" Tonks questioned instinctively without thinking.
"Just business" he smirked, "We should be able to leave here sometime after lunch".
Lucius lifted his cane lightly stroking the silver snake's head over her already flushed cheek and along her jaw line gently lifting her head to look at him, "Such delicate soft skin" he mumbled to himself as his eyes seemed to drink in her every detail, his hand tenderly brushing through her short blonde hair, Tonks' breathing stressed as he stepped closer, her mind wanting to flee, her body frozen in place**.
"Dora get up" her mother's voice jolted her out of her repulsive memories, yesterday was a day she'd rather forget, "Come on, Lucius will be here shortly" Andromeda urged pulling the covers off her.
"No he won't, he said after lunch mum" Tonks casually informed her as she glanced at her watch.
"Seems Miss know it all, his so called 'loose ends' tied themselves up, and he shall be here in ten minutes" Andromeda told her, suddenly concerned as her daughter paled at the news.
Tonks jumped up pacing the floor her mind in a flurry over what she should do , she had planned to explain what she could to her mother this morning then leave long before Lucius returned but now!, her eyes suddenly darted to her opened door as she heard Lucius's voice down in the foyer.
"Look he's here and you've not even got your things packed" Andromeda said heaving Tonks' trunk from behind the door.
"Leave it mum" Tonks said grabbing her mother by the shoulders and pulling her up to face her, "Listen, I need you to go downstairs and stall him".
"But why?, Nymphadora what is going on?" Andromeda couldn't hide her worrying tone. "I can't really explain right now but please I need you to do this for me, I can't go with Lucius and I can't stay here any longer" Tonks pleaded.
Andromeda hesitantly nodded to her daughter, Tonks pulling her into a quick embrace before watching her leave the room.
With time ticking against her Tonks hastily pulled off her night clothes and rummaged through her wardrobe looking for something practical to wear, her gaze abruptly turning to the chair in the corner of the room where her soiled jeans and T-shirt lay draped over the chair, with her wand firmly in her grasp she used a cleaning charm to remove the remnants of Regulus's breakfast, the smell she would just have to endure.
Slipping on her robe a chill coursed through her as the floor boards creaked just outside her door, with her wand at the ready she stepped back into the shadows as she watched the door slowly open, firming her stance as the person slipped into the room.
"Tonks" .
Jessica's voice was like music to her ears "You're the first person to call me Tonks" her voice trembled as she swiftly crossed the floor embracing her.
(A.N , Hope you liked this chapter feel free to R&R , next chapter soon promise.....LUV NIK.)
Ann v 79 – Jess isn't enjoying it much either*.
Cecilia Orechio - Tonks,! Harry sort of? Have a great day*.
Diosa Alexia – I bet you looked somewhat like Jess did ' what the' *.
Snow angel222- Yes they will, Sirius doesn't hate her exactly he just hates being deceived *.
LuvAsInfinity - I'll try and add more James, thanks for the emails*.
Clare – she'll have someone soon*.
JCs DancerGurl – Thanks I hope you enjoy this chapter*.
Fra – Jess doesn't particularly like the idea either*.
Tessa – no Remus and Sirius fight*.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*.
(** Denotes Tonks' analyzing thoughts)
Chapter 36; ~~ From the frying pan into the fire.~~
Rosemary quickly descended the elegant marble stairs her eyes transfixed on the two opened large English oak doors, a rising feeling of satisfied accomplishment ballooning deep inside as she watched Lily trudge wet footsteps back inside, her hand pushing back her saturated hair from her face.
"She's gone?" Rosemary inquired trying to contain her excitement at finally ridding herself of the woman that she regarded as driving a wedge between her and Remus.
"Lillian!," Max called, briskly trotting up to her with a steaming coffee in his hand, his gaze drifting down to the water pooling at her feet.
"Who was suppose to be on the door?" she snapped her eyes riveted on Rosemary who leaned against the banister grinning smugly.
"That was me, but I only left my post momentarily to give Sirius the inventory scroll and grab a coffee, was there a problem?" he asked following Lily's gaze to Rosemary.
"Yes we have a problem, Max" Lily said stepping over towards Rosemary.
"Let go of me!" Rosemary loudly protested pulling back as Lily held a firm grip on her arm almost dragging her towards the dinning hall.
`~*`~*`~*`~*`~
Harry rested back onto the table behind him, the dinning hall now virtually devoid of any diners as Remus, Sirius and James continued to have their heated discussion over by the glass doors, James glanced over to him giving a tiresome smile before resting his hand on Remus's shoulder.
The peculiar sensation Harry had carried for the last couple of days swept up pulling at his emotional stings again, as it occurred to him that he was witnessing the Marauders, the makers of mischief, Prongs, Moony and Padfoot, the only one missing was the traitor Wormtail, who Harry surmised should never of even been considered as one of them, his lack of character, backbone or loyalty never making him a true Marauder.
Even in their argument there was never any malice toward each other, just what seemed an irritating lack of understanding as Remus pushed his point of view across to Sirius who in return pushed his point of view back, Harry quietly chuffed to him as he reflected on where he was, well what he knew of where he was at least, quite by accident he now had living and breathing around him what he had only been able to see in the mirror of Erised, his parents.
His thoughts drifted to Nicole as he looked at Sirius, the envy he had initially felt towards her for her bonds with her father, and the niggling resentment he had first had towards Jessica for what he seen as taking a piece of his godfather away from him, at first deeming them as intruders in the relationship he had with Sirius, but never once letting his feelings known, he hoped.
Harry's attention was drawn towards the door to the loud voices coming down the corridor, his mother stormed into the room, her hand firmly clamped around Rosemary's arm who continued to protest over her treatment as she was dragged over to James.
"What is going on?" Remus questioned as Rosemary pulled away from Lily wrapping her arms around him as she sobbed.
"Jess has gone", Lily told them looking directly at Sirius.
"What do you mean she's gone?", James asked for more clarification of the term as Remus turned his attentions on Sirius.
"Now see what you've done!" Remus snapped.
"No Remus, it wasn't Sirius, it was Rosemary", Lily said stepping between the two wizards.
"She just took what I said the wrong way Rem", Rosemary whimpered into his chest.
"Which part did she take the wrong way?" Lily snarled, as Remus ran his hand over Rosemary's head soothing her, "The part where Remus is going to bind the baby's powers or the part where we're going to send her up to the Tain's to the Mental Hospital?".
"You said what?" Sirius bellowed.
Remus stepped back from Rosemary, lifting her face to look at him, he had no need for words or an explanation he could see it all clearly in her eyes, "When are you going to realize there's nothing going on between me and her, she's carrying a child for us, for us Rose!", Remus snapped hold her face in a vice like grip.
"How long has she been gone?" Sirius questioned.
"About ten minutes ago" Lily said as she hurriedly followed him with James and Harry.
"Michael race up an get our robes" James ordered as Sirius ran up the stairs ahead of him, "Tell me she had a robe on" he asked turning to Lily as Max joined them.
"No, just the white dress" Lily said .
"Shit!, Shit, she's going to stand out like a red rag to a bull", James snapped pulling his glasses from his face and rubbing his eyes, "Max put everyone on alert and make Albus aware of the situation" James said quickly dismissing him.
"I'm coming with you's" Remus said pulling on his robe as he rushed up the corridor behind them.
"No sorry Moony, I'm not having you going off half- cocked out there, besides we need someone here incase she comes back, plus you need to deal with someone else" James said looking over to Rosemary as she leaned against the wall tears streaming down her face as she watched Remus.
Sirius bound back down the stairs with Harry, all of them hastily pulling on their robes, "Max grab us something small to use as a portkey", Sirius yelled to him before turning and resting his hands on Harry's shoulders.
"He's not coming with us, its too risky" Lily objected looking to James for support.
"Lil, Michael's the only person that knows where she'd go" James said pulling her hood up.
"And he's the only one amongst us that has an idea where her mind is at" Sirius added turning back to glance at Lily.
Harry raised a questioning eyebrow to Sirius as he looked back at him, he wasn't sure if anyone knew how Jessica's mind worked at times.
"Who would she turn to for help?, or head to for safety?" Sirius asked.
"She'd, probably head to Arabella's or her friend Allie, but then again she might go back to Grimmauld place," Harry said apprehensively as he racked his brain for an answer.
"We'll head to Greens Park , you head over to Grimmauld Place" James said to Sirius taking the hip flask from Max's hand.
"Greens Park?" harry questioned.
"To Arabella, that is where you said she would go" James reminded him as he pulled opened the doors.
"Yeah I said Arabella but she's not in Greens Park ,well not to us, she's in Magnolia Crescent Surrey" Harry informed his father.
James paused for a second looking to Lily , "Surrey it is then" James said ushering them both out into the rain.
"We'll let you know the minute we find her" Lily reassured Remus before he closed the door behind them.
Winding there way down the steep incline in the sopping rain Harry could feel the eyes of the guards patrolling the grounds all watching their ever move, Sirius glanced back at James giving an acknowledging nod before dashing off into the woodlands.
Harry followed his parents as they moved deeper into the foreboding forest, a seemingly impenetrable air crept over his skin causing him to shiver slightly as they passed through the familiar wards protecting the castle from unwelcome visitors.
James came to a stop in a small clearing cautiously pulling the black hip flask from his robe while constantly eyeing the surrounding area .
"Portus" Lily's wand touched the flask turning it a glowing blue as it trembled in James hand before returning to normal, "Have your wands ready" James said handing them the portkey, Harry felt the now familiar tickling pull in his stomach as he and his mother made their way to Magnolia Crescent.
"Now stay alert" James warned as Harry felt the thud of the dry ground beneath his feet, regaining his bearing he looked down the almost unrecognizable baron street .
"This is Magnolia Crescent" James said pointing to the feeble old signpost as Harry gave them both a look of bewilderment.
Pulling his damp hood back Harry's eyes scanned what remained of the once peaceful suburban street he had called home for a short time, not one blade of grass nor any tree's showed signs of life, there wasn't a person or car to be seen or even heard, the eerie silence casting a chill through his body.
"Which house is it?" Lily questioned as they hastily made their way down the deserted road.
"It's err, the one down there, on the corner of Magnolia and Wisteria walk" Harry said pointing his wand somewhat uncertainly to the decayed remains of a house halfway down the block.
"What happened here?" Harry asked as they ran up to the house the stubble dead grass crunched loudly under their shoes.
"The Muggles always expected any conflict to come from the Middle East or Europe never from within their own country or from people they thought of as imaginary, when Voldemort seized power the Muggles didn't stand a chance, millions were killed and of those that survived well most of them are beggars" explained his father.
The stale blistering air swept up around them as James hesitantly stepped in through the opened door, his wand poised for anything unexpected, "She's been here" James muttered crouching down and touching a still damp muddy footprint on the broken tiled floor.
Harry followed his mother as James searched what remained of the crumbling house, rats scurried across the decomposing refuse that littered the floor in front of them, dust laden cobwebs hung from the ceiling even the spiders had long since departed.
"Prongs" Sirius voice called from inside James robe, pulling the two way mirror from his pocket Sirius's face appeared before him, "She just turned up here, I couldn't get to her, she's gone inside".
"We'll be there in a minute" James groaned running his hand over his face, as things went from bad to worse.
()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()
Tonks laid quietly in the lavish downy bed her eyes glazed over staring vacantly towards the ceiling, her mind deep in thought as she tried to make some sense of the whole situation, her thoughts seeping back to yesterday morning.
** Rubbing her aching head she dragged her stiff and sore body up off the floor, looking around familiar but somewhat changed surroundings she found herself back at Grimmauld Place, but how?, the last thing she remembered was an immense white flash exploding out of the Orb.
An uneasiness rose up through her as she opened the door hesitantly glancing out into the corridor, following the sound of voices she moved down the stairs her hand gliding effortless over the smooth highly polished banister, her senses alerted to the immaculate surrounding, wall lanterns gleamed from the sun spilling in through the glass paneled front door, ' either Remus killed Kreacher and brought in an exceptionally skilled new house elf or something has gone very askew around here', the later thought causing her stomach to churn anxiously as with each step it seemed more the case.
"Feeling rather vengeful are we?".
Tonks spun on her heels looking back up the staircase to the man descending rapidly towards her, his dark eyes looking her over as he stopped a few feet from her, his features all too recognizable to her .
"Regulus?" her weak voice choked out as eyes soaked in a younger slightly scrawnier version of Sirius.
"Yeah, well I was the last time I checked" he chuckled, "By the way what in gods name have you done to your hair?" he asked giving her hair a playful scruff up as he walked passed her disappearing into the sitting room.
Tonks tentatively followed her cousin that she hadn't seen since she was a small child and only then in a photo, entering the room behind him all reality fled her.
"Nymphadora!! What in damn nation is that filthy garb your wearing?" Medea's retched voice bellowed as she sat at the extended dinning table sipping her tea , her disapproving scowl grazed over Tonks' jeans, well worn T-shirt and crumpled robe, "Don't stand there gawking with your mouth opened girl, speak when you're spoken to".
"I err, I, err ," Tonks babbled panic stricken as the hollering portrait sat living and breathing before her.
"Oh for blastered sakes get back up to your room and change, I will not have you sitting down at my table looking like some gutter whore" Medea chided whilst Regulus sat back chuckling to himself.
"I'll, I'll just go back upstairs" Tonks mumbled backing out of the room.
A thundering crash in the corridor brought Regulus to his feet, the sight of Tonks wearing his breakfast of bacon and eggs greeted him, "Am so sorry Master, she just stumbled into me" Kreacher cowered to Regulus before turning to glare at Tonks.
"Dora what have you done now?" Andromeda's soft voice spoke to her daughter lying sprawled out on the floor before her.
"Mum, I", what are you doing here?" Tonks stuttered as Regulus offered his hand to her.
"What, did you knock your head on the way down?" he asked sarcastically pulling her to her feet.
"I live here" Andromeda reminded her reading Tonks' intense expression.
"I shall go and muster up another breakfast Master" Kreacher informed Regulus as he picked up the last remains of food scraps from the floor.
"Be sure to scrub that rug, Kreacher" Medea screeched from the sitting room listening to every word that was uttered, "I Don't want any damn greasy marks left on my floor".
"Yes Mistress right away" Kreacher replied bowing as he made his way back down to the kitchen.
Tonks made her way back up the stairs heading for the bathroom believing a shower would bring her to her sense and out of this nightmarish dream, hastily closing the door her shock ridden body slumped back, the smell of fried eggs and greasy bacon infiltrating her, "Pull yourself together" she scolded herself taking several shaky steps and turning on the hot water faucet.
Closing her eyes she took in a few calming breaths as she removed her soiled clothing, "Alright, assess the situation, gather all relevant information without arising anyone's suspicions, keep calm and blend into your surroundings" she mumbled her Auror training check list as she stepped into the hot shower.
Face first she buried her head in the down pour of water letting it soothingly wash over her body, stepping back she refreshingly rubbed her hands over her face, her new found serenity was to be short lived as she opened her eyes, an ear piercing shriek vibrated around the room as her gaze fixed on her left forearm, to the dark mark burnt deep into her flesh , in sheer panic and little rational she grabbed for the soap scouring away at it like it was a temporary tattoo.
With her forearm red raw and her mind in a quagmire she dazedly shuffled her way over to the bedroom, regaining her strengths she opened the cupboard to a horde of black outfits , everything in there was black, Dress's, shoes, hats, skirt's and blouse's .
"What the hell?" she muttered desperately searching for a pair of jeans or slacks but to no avail , knowing she couldn't very well parade around in a towel she pulled a long black dress from it's hanger and slipped it on squirming and fidgeting as she tried to do up the tiny buttons at the back .
"Here let me help" her mother offered walking into the room, her normally warm soft complexion looked tired and worn out, her raven black hair had lost it's luster hanging limply about her face.
Tonks turned, her mothers hands making short work of the tiny slip buttons, "There all done" Andromeda said turning Tonks to face her, "You might want to tone down that orange hair, we don't want to upset Medea any further, do we" her mother giving her a cheeky grin.
"Mum" Tonks uttered going out on a limb, she asked again "What's,... what are you doing here?".
Andromeda sighed as she handed her a pair of black stockings, "I ask myself that question everyday," Her hand coming up to gently cup her daughters face, "I know Medea can be a cantankerous cow, but she offered us a roof over our heads when no one else would, mind you she reminds me of that fact everyday, now enough chit chat I have some errands to run for Medea so you try and keep from breaking anything today" her mother smiled.
Once finally mastering her stockings an item of clothing she ordinarily preferred to avoid she headed out, first inconspicuously searching each room trying to gain a fix on the situation, the room Remus and her had shared was prepared as a guest room and by the looks of it company was expected soon, down in the drawing room her eyes scrutinize The Black Family tapestry, her fathers name still remained but a hole , a date of death showing he'd died back in nineteen eighty five sent a shiver coursing over her skin, both her' and her mothers names had been restored , Sirius of course the dark sheep of the family remained a blast hole her, heart pounding faster at what was missing no date of death, Sirius was alive, Jessica too remained just a hole in the woven silk with two others just below them.
Unaware of precisely what had taken place with Harry and Jessica within the Orb Tonks headed up the stairs and into the attic, her intelligence gathering telling her more had occurred than just Sirius's resurrection.
Knowing Kreacher as always being a hoarder by nature she searched through dozens of boxes coming across one filled with old copies of The Daily Prophet, her eyes quickly skimming over every article looking for some clues as to what was going on.
"Well, well , what has gotten into you today, first the hair and outlandish clothes and now caught snooping through mothers things" Regulus said eyeing her with a hint of suspicion.
"I, I wasn't snooping, I was bored," Tonks said, her auror training giving her an edge in keeping herself reasonably calm , mentally reminding herself they were on the same side as he seen it, "I was just flicking through some old news papers of Kreachers, do you have a problem with that?" she inquired with a little bit more gusto .
"Hey, it don't bother me, it's all a load of junk if you ask me" Regulus smiled mockingly raising his hands in surrender to her, "Just don't let mother catch you up here, speaking of that very same person she demands your presence's in the drawing room".
"Demands?" Tonks questioned the thought of facing Medea again adding a nervous tinge to her voice as she struggled putting all the papers back into the box from whence they came.
"Ha, you know mother she never belittles herself to asking" He said laughing at her reaction.
The clock in the drawing room chimed in one o'clock just as Tonks entered the room, Medea's usual charm going straight to work, "Come in girl, instead of fidgeting in the blasted doorway".
"Medea, don't be so harsh on our young girl", a sickly smooth male voice came from over near the window.
"Harsh, yesterday she blasted my valuable sixteenth century renaissance vase to smithereens" Medea muttered giving Tonks a burning glare as she left the room.
Tonks stepped mindfully into the room a silent gasp escaped her as her eyes fixed on the haughty figure of Lucius Malfoy, his long white hair draping down over his black velvet robe, one hand eloquently resting on his lower back the other slowly turning his snake head cane in his long fingers.
"Come over here" his words firm and demanding.
Cautiously she closed the distance between them , his scent flooding her senses his haunting grey eyes catching her by surprise as he turned to greet her, "What, not even a hug?" he said cocking a teasing brow at her.
"Lu-cius" Tonks choked out with as much pleasantness as she could gather, closing her eyes tightly she stepped into his opened arms, her own arms tentatively wrapping around him.
"So tense my dear" he whispered in her ear, his hand gently rubbing at her back, "I have missed not having you around the estate" his breathe flushing her skin, his lips brushing across her cheek as Tonks pulled back from him.
Placing some space between them Tonks stood with her head lowered unable to meet his prying eyes, inwardly her body trembled, outwardly she appeared to hold her own.
"Something is troubling you my sweet?" his words churning her stomach.
"No, no, just Medea is so, so Medea" Tonks uttered softly lifting her gaze slightly.
"Yes she is isn't she" Lucius chuckle, "Not to worry, tomorrow after I tie up some loose ends we'll head back to the up to the estate together" .
"What loose ends?" Tonks questioned instinctively without thinking.
"Just business" he smirked, "We should be able to leave here sometime after lunch".
Lucius lifted his cane lightly stroking the silver snake's head over her already flushed cheek and along her jaw line gently lifting her head to look at him, "Such delicate soft skin" he mumbled to himself as his eyes seemed to drink in her every detail, his hand tenderly brushing through her short blonde hair, Tonks' breathing stressed as he stepped closer, her mind wanting to flee, her body frozen in place**.
"Dora get up" her mother's voice jolted her out of her repulsive memories, yesterday was a day she'd rather forget, "Come on, Lucius will be here shortly" Andromeda urged pulling the covers off her.
"No he won't, he said after lunch mum" Tonks casually informed her as she glanced at her watch.
"Seems Miss know it all, his so called 'loose ends' tied themselves up, and he shall be here in ten minutes" Andromeda told her, suddenly concerned as her daughter paled at the news.
Tonks jumped up pacing the floor her mind in a flurry over what she should do , she had planned to explain what she could to her mother this morning then leave long before Lucius returned but now!, her eyes suddenly darted to her opened door as she heard Lucius's voice down in the foyer.
"Look he's here and you've not even got your things packed" Andromeda said heaving Tonks' trunk from behind the door.
"Leave it mum" Tonks said grabbing her mother by the shoulders and pulling her up to face her, "Listen, I need you to go downstairs and stall him".
"But why?, Nymphadora what is going on?" Andromeda couldn't hide her worrying tone. "I can't really explain right now but please I need you to do this for me, I can't go with Lucius and I can't stay here any longer" Tonks pleaded.
Andromeda hesitantly nodded to her daughter, Tonks pulling her into a quick embrace before watching her leave the room.
With time ticking against her Tonks hastily pulled off her night clothes and rummaged through her wardrobe looking for something practical to wear, her gaze abruptly turning to the chair in the corner of the room where her soiled jeans and T-shirt lay draped over the chair, with her wand firmly in her grasp she used a cleaning charm to remove the remnants of Regulus's breakfast, the smell she would just have to endure.
Slipping on her robe a chill coursed through her as the floor boards creaked just outside her door, with her wand at the ready she stepped back into the shadows as she watched the door slowly open, firming her stance as the person slipped into the room.
"Tonks" .
Jessica's voice was like music to her ears "You're the first person to call me Tonks" her voice trembled as she swiftly crossed the floor embracing her.
(A.N , Hope you liked this chapter feel free to R&R , next chapter soon promise.....LUV NIK.)