And with this one we are all caught up! I'll try my best to update this as quickly as I do on AO3.
Sorry I'm a creature of habit and I feel like I aged like fifty hours just uploading this.
Still, if you are with us so far. Good on you. I'm glad.
VonPelt did indeed also Beta this one.
Enjoy
Waske
xXx
Chapter 10
Letters
… and that was my life until I met you. I ended up clutching onto any form of human contact that showed even the slightest interest in me. At first I didn't think it would be more than friendship. Honestly, I'm still confused about why I find you so attractive or why you make me want to kiss you but that happened and someone close to me told me that I would regret it if I didn't at least try.
I guess what I'm saying is. I'm sorry Jacque for saying something that made you uncomfortable. I just got swept up in a whirlwind of emotions I have never experienced before. I hope you are willing to give me a chance and we can keep exchanging letters while I'm away at Hogwarts. I know that you are busy and I might have blown this but if you are willing to give me another chance. It would mean the world to me.
Yours fully
Harry
Tonks wiped away at her eyes for what was probably the hundredth time as she read over Harry's letter again. It was heartbreaking, infuriating and all around a shitshow on paper. She had never felt more hatred for people she didn't know as she had since the letter had first arrived the night before Harry had left for Hogwarts. It had taken all of her training as an Auror to keep herself in check and not pull him into a hug at the station. She finally understood a little of why Mrs. Weasley seemed to want to crush his spine.
She had already sent her reply back. It had been short and to the point. She knew Harry well enough that he didn't want her to focus on the horrific things that had happened in Harry's life.
She had also begun nurturing a growing suspicion for Dumbledore. She wasn't so far removed from her time at Hogwarts to remember how the man had seemed to be bigger than life as she had walked through those walls, but with her new perspective as an Auror there were some things that shouldn't have happened the way they did.
Especially Harry's second year. Dumbledore should have called in the aurors as soon as a student had been attacked. The fact that nothing happened except for Hagrid getting arrested at the end of the year should never have happened.
She just hoped that Harry would have a decent year for once, but she had seen the newspapers. Fudge was making a play at Hogwarts. She was sure it was directed at Dumbledore. She had heard enough rants in the department to understand that, she just hoped that Harry didn't get caught in the crossfire.
Dolores Umbridge. There was nothing positive to say about the pink toad. She had seen the defence book for the year. It wasn't even worth the paper it was written on. The fact that Harry had barely read half a page to dismiss the book in its entirety told her enough about what the Minister and his vermin was up to. They actually thought Dumbledore was raising an army of students. It was a ridiculous notion and she sincerely hoped that Harry wouldn't do something stupid like actually doing that.
She still remembered the last conversation she had had with Harry. He had asked her if she was alright and even tried to goad a reaction out of her in the middle of the platform by alluding to shouting her name out loud. She had hexed him for that, she thought with a smile on her face. It was then Harry had asked her to look after Sirius, making sure that he wouldn't go completely crazy in that big house all alone.
She had decided then and there, that she would be moving out as soon as possible. It also helped that she would be moving in with the one other person who knew the truth about her, Jacque and Harry.
She had been packing up her stuff since the first of September. Harry had been right as soon as the school term started Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had moved back to the burrow and Sirius was stuck in that horrible house alone with only Buckbeak and Kreacher for company. He would need company even more so than ever. She might actually do what Harry had suggested and go to the muggle world and buy new furniture. There was a new swedish store she had heard about… Something. IDKEA... IDEA or something.
"My big girl is moving out."
"Hey Dad. I'm just moving in with Sirius. It's not like I'm going to live on my own."
"I know, Dora. But still the house will feel more empty without you around. What will your mother and I do without you being here?"
"I really do not want to know…" Tonks stuck out her tongue in mock-disgust.
"Now there's an idea. Maybe you'll end up having a little brother or sister. Your Mum is still young enough."
"I so do not want to think about that."
"Nymphadora, dear, you should be happy that your father and I have a loving marriage and still find each other attractive."
"Eew Mum."
"What you're doing for Sirius is good. He would go crazy in that big old house all by himself. I've seen the state of it. He would go more mad than he already is."
"All set?" Ted Tonks asked.
"I think so," Tonks said. "Everything is all packed into boxes and ready to be shrunk. Will you be coming with me?"
"Yes. Sirius invited us for dinner. I sure hope he knows how to cook. I'm not eating anything Kreacher made. He still thinks I would be better off dead for marrying your father."
"Maybe we should order take-out?" Ted said.
"I could bring something to eat as well, there is this new Indian restaurant down the road..."
"Mum, Dad, Stop! Let's not make a big thing out of it before at least seeing what is going on."
"Right. I suppose it will be easier for you to learn how to cook if you are forced to do it."
"There is always take-out," Tonks said defensively. "Or I could visit here."
"Nymphadora Jacqueline Tonks. You will have to learn how to cook at some point in your life."
"Why? I can survive just fine without knowing how to do it."
"Andromeda, Love. It's not like I am much safer around a kitchen," Ted teased. "She inherited that on top of her clumsiness."
"I'm living with barbarians! I'm the one who was supposed to be the pureblood princess. How come I'm the only one in this household that doesn't burn down a kitchen when I'm near a stove?!"
Ted and his daughter shared a bemused look behind the frustrated woman's back. Tonks had shrunk the boxes and put them into a bag with a featherlight charm. She was ready to go. She took one last look at her childhood bedroom before nodding. Harry's letter safely secured in her pocket.
"My daughter is all grown up," Andromeda repeated emotionally, wiping a tear from her eye. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'll visit or you can come visit us," Tonks sighed in exasperation. "It's only fifty miles."
Tonks felt herself getting pulled into a tight hug by her Mum. "Once a week."
"What?"
"Once a week you'll visit."
"You know I can't promise that. My schedule keeps changing around at work and with the Order."
"But you can promise that you will try. And I still don't like you being in that."
"I know Mum, but I want to make a difference. I want to help. The Ministry is useless. He's back and it won't matter if we don't fight as long as we don't join him and there is no chance of me doing that."
"I know. It's just. I can't…"
Andromeda hid her head in Ted's shoulder. Her shoulders visibly shaking.
"I'm sorry," Tonks whispered softly. "I know you don't want to be a part of it."
"They're my sisters! I might not agree with them but I grew up with Bella and Cissy. How did it end up like this. Little Reggie already died. I just…"
"Come on, Meda. Let's go visit your cousin."
Tonks wiped at her own eyes. She understood where her Mum was coming from, even if she herself thought that Bellatrix was beyond redemption. She wouldn't want to fight family either for believing in something different than she herself did except she was doing that, or maybe it had even changed a little since the summer began. She wasn't as much fighting for a goal as she was fighting to protect Harry.
Morgana, she missed him already. She hefted the bag over her shoulder and followed her parents into their small living room where they would floo to Grimmauld Place. She still remembered how Sirius had argued with Dumbledore about letting her parents in on the Fidelius. Sirius had actually threatened Dumbledore to take his Order and go packing if they weren't allowed in. Family was all that mattered to the man and to Sirius, Harry and Andromeda and by extension her and Ted were all the family he had.
She stepped out of the fireplace and opened her mouth in shock. A veritable feast was lined out on the table and the kitchen had never looked better.
"Welcome to my humble abode. Let me introduce you to a good friend of mine. Dobby!"
A small crack announced the arrival of an elf.
"This here is Dobby. Dobby meet my family. This here is my Cousin Andromeda and her husband Ted and their daughter -"
"Dobby knows miss Jackie."
"Huh," Sirius smirked. "I suppose you would."
"When did you get a new house elf?" Tonks asked.
"Isn't that Cissy's elf?"
"Not anymore. Harry tricked good old Lucy into freeing him after his second year at Hogwarts."
"Yes, Great Harry Potter saved Dobby from bad masters."
Sirius instinctively grabbed Dobby by the scruff of his little shirt when he made to run head first into the nearest wall.
"Stop Dobby. We talked about that. No need to punish yourself for saying anything."
"Great Master Dogger is right. Sorry. Old habits."
"It's alright. I won't be keeping you or you could join us for dinner?"
"Great Master Dogger would allow Dobby to eat at the table?!"
"As long as the waterworks stop, sure."
"You really do nothing the proper way. Well at least this way I won't have to worry about you two getting proper food. Dobby was it? I'll have to warn you not to let my daughter near the kitchen if you don't want to spend an afternoon cleaning up after her."
"Oi!"
The room descended into laughter even if Dobby looked at her with awe.
"I'm not that bad. I know how to make coffee at least."
"It's about the only thing you know how to make," Andromeda muttered.
"Come on, let's eat before the food gets cold."
After dinner Sirius took them for a tour of the house.
"I'm impressed," Andromeda said. "This place almost looks better than when Walburgha and Orion lived here."
"That's the best thing," Sirius grinned. "Dobby negotiated with Kreacher and they agreed on moving Walburgha's painting to the tapestry room. It's become something like a room for her and Kreacher. I don't really go there anymore. The heads of the House elves were also moved there. Dobby is worth more than the ten knuts he negotiated me down to."
"He's being paid?" Ted asked curiously.
"Yeah," Sirius shrugged. "I'll tell you the bugger can negotiate. He battered me down from ten galleons a month and weekends off to ten knuts a week and Sundays off."
"That's unique."
"Fits right in. It was Harry that introduced him. The only thing Harry asked of him was that he didn't try to save his life. No idea what that was about."
"Oh, Dobby hexed a bludger and sent it after Harry. He also closed the barrier to the Platform during his second year. He and Ron flew Arthur Weasley's enchanted car into the Whomping Willow," Tonks said before realising she wasn't supposed to know that.
"I see. And since when did you two get so close?" Andromeda asked, her smile wide like a shark having smelled blood in the water.
"He just told me some stories," Tonks said shyly.
"I'm sure he did."
The rest of the tour was a series of positive surprises. Dobby had done a great job slowly fixing up the house since the Weasleys had left and it was looking better and better day by day. It was late in the night when Andromeda and Ted left. Tonks had already decided to move in that night, so she said her goodbyes and promised her Mum that she would be over in a weeks time or so. She plopped down in a chair next to the kitchen table.
"I could get used to living here," Tonks said. "It's got a much nicer feel than it did before. I can even see the original colour of the floorboards."
"That's good. As much as I like Dobby, he can get a bit fanatic. It'll be nice having someone else around," Sirius smiled. "So… Did Harry send you a letter?"
"Yes…"
"Something wrong?"
"Everything is wrong. Sirius, he told me everything."
"What do you mean 'everything'?"
"I mean he wrote down everything he remembers. How his relatives treated him. How his pig of a cousin would chase him around on the playground and beat him up. How he was forced to cook, clean and slept in a cupboard. Sirius, his life was horrible. Hell on earth, barely better than your old cell type of horrible. I can't even understand how he hasn't given up yet."
"I know. He is a better man than we probably deserve."
Hey Jacque
It's been what a week since the last letter. Hogwarts has been… stressful I suppose. Let me tell you the Umbitch as she is now known between the students is horrible. She has tried to goad me into reacting to anything she says. She hasn't gotten me yet but I'm afraid it's only a matter of time.
Her classes consist of us reading that stupid book and writing a summary on the chapter. It's beyond useless. She is sabotaging a whole year's O.W.L.s and that is not to mention N.E.W.T.s. I'm so glad my friend Tonks recommended Most Common Curses and their Counter-curses. I've learned more from reading that in a week than I probably will from the actual DADA classes this year. I just hope it won't have to get worse before it gets better.
Yours fully
Harry
Tonks found herself sitting in another boring Order meeting. It was all the same. Hagrid was still off trying to gain the support or at least neutrality of the Giants. Remus had been going to the different werewolf packs gauging their reactions and seeing if there were movements. Snape brought minimal information. It was more and more of the same. A lot of big egos who felt great because they have heard a third-hand rumour about what a suspected Death Eater might have done. Tom, as she had started calling him after Harry had explained that it was You-Know-Who's real name, was still gathering his forces. They still had to guard the door to the Department of Mysteries.
Dumbledore was being annoyingly vague about what exactly it was they were protecting. She believed in complete honesty especially if something was as central to a mission as Dumbledore made them think. Even Sirius had no idea, only that it had been there the first time around as well.
Living with Sirius had been okay. She had been right when it turned out closer to a roommate situation than anything. She had even gotten on better terms with Buckbeak. Funnily enough Buckbeak seemed to like Jacque better than her. It might have something to do with the fact that Jacque's hair didn't change into different colours.
Dear Jacque
I don't know if you've heard it. It finally happened. The Umbitch got to me. We had just won the first Quidditch game between Gryffindor, my house and Slytherin. Malfoy, you might have heard about his father at the Ministry, I can tell you they are both equally unpleasant to be around, was talking shit about the Weasleys and my parents and we got into a fight. Of course The Umbitch walked out at that moment. I bet she was waiting for something to happen. Well long story short, me and my two friends Fred and George got a lifetime ban on playing Quidditch, but at least we got Malfoy good.
I don't know how long I can do this for before I explode. At every turn people look at me like I'm either crazy or a liar. I try to keep my head down but I'm honestly debating whether it is even worth it for me to be at Hogwarts. Do you think I could finish my education outside of Hogwarts?
Yours fully
Harry
"Sirius, you got to read this!"
"What is it?"
"Fudge's pet toad is making his life a living hell. I'm not even sure he is telling me everything that is happening. I don't like it. She was a little shit at the Ministry. She should not be allowed around children."
"We'll bring it up at the next Order meeting. Dumbledore might know what to do."
Hey Jacque
It's not really getting better. The Umbitch is walking around like she is owning the school. I'm just frustrated all the time and I've started having these dreams. They don't make any sense. They are about this door at the end of a hallway. I always wake up before I get to it and I have a splitting headache whenever I wake up from one of them. That can't be normal can it?
Also, I'm done with Most Common Curses and their Counter-Curses. Do you think you could recommend something else to read? I'll try and find them in the library but I'm not sure if that is a good idea with The Umbitch running around. Do you know where I could find out how to cast a glamour? I didn't mention this in my last letter but my friend Ron made the Quidditch team. He's not the best but he does have potential. The new beaters are far worse than the Twins, Fred and George. Ginny is a decent seeker. That's Ron's sister. I'm rambling.
I don't think I've missed someone as much as I've missed you. Hermione, another friend of mine, has been bugging me about teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. That should tell you how bad the classes are when a fifth year student is being asked to teach others. Should I do it? It might get me in trouble with the Umbitch.
I suppose you've heard it but she has somehow been made High Inquisitor. She is now responsible for every punishment at Hogwarts. It's bad. The heads of houses can't overturn a punishment now and she is going to inspect the other teacher's classes.
People are hoping that she and our Potions Professor Snape are going to kill each other. That's how bad it is. Until this year Snape was the most hated teacher outside of Slytherin.
Yours Fully
Harry
Tonks was about ready to rip her hair out after that last letter. Fudge's Attack Toad was obviously a lot worse than Dumbledore was telling them. She was even more worried about that dream Harry had been talking about. She had a feeling what door it was that Harry was talking about. He hadn't described it but she was certain it was the door to the Department of Mysteries.
Something was going on with Harry and she wasn't even sure how to figure out what it was. She and Sirius had begun perusing some of the darker books that Dobby initially had put away from the library. Sirius was even happy to do it. It was something he could do from his home but it was like finding a needle in a haystack. They had no idea where to begin. They just didn't know enough about what was going on with Harry. It sounded like some strange version of a nightmare curse, but if someone had managed to get him with such a spell, why that door?
At least the house had begun to look pristine again.
She was even getting tired of work. Today she had been called into a conference about Sirius. It was a waste of time going over international sightings. Sirius wasn't even on the continent but she and Shack still had to keep up appearances for appearances sake. Mad-Eye had been right the Ministry couldn't find a boot even if it was shoved up their own arse. Having to deal with Dawlish's lecherous comments every time she walked into the office had gotten old faster than milk that had been left out on the counter. Something that Dobby had constantly been berating her for doing. She had tried to tell the little guy that she didn't mean to do it, but that between her morning rush to get to work and her lack of waking up she would just forget on occasion.
Another day, another meeting. This one about known criminals in Knockturn Alley. She had a private chuckle at the fact that they were talking about Mundungus. He was hardly more than a petty thief. It was almost a joke that they at the Aurors had to deal with criminals of that level. That was a job for LEP if Fudge hadn't gutted them so much that they barely could guard the Ministry. It was all backwards. The Aurors were supposed to be the one going on raids and investigating now they got saddled with patrols and guarding Diagon Alley.
Graveyard shifts were even worse. They fucked up her sleep schedule and left her tired for days on end.
"Tonks we got a call. The Nott's had a break-in. Library has been wrecked. We need to go survey the damages and make a list of what has been taken."
"Any sign of the thieves?"
"No, they are long gone."
"Then why the fuck are we getting called out to do it? It's just a fucking clean up and paperwork. I swear that is supposed to fall to LEP."
"Well it landed on our desk Auror. The Notts are a prominent family of the Sacred Twenty-eight. They demanded Auror presence. We're up."
Tonks grumbled, but still grabbed her coat before flooing to Nott Manor. Tonks noticed the obvious signs of break-in immediately. They seem a little too obvious in fact. Her instincts kicked in. The more she looked at it the more she realised that something wasn't right. The more books they tallied the fewer there seemed to have been taken. She spotted the smug look on Nott's face. That did not look like a man who had just had a break in.
"We got a lead!"
"What is it?" Tonks called back.
"Set of footprints leading away from the Manor. Must have been forced to walk out because of the wards. I suppose you have the standard Anti-Apparition and Anti-Portkey wards around the property, Lord Nott."
"I do."
"Tonks, you'll follow the trail, maybe you can get a signature at the point of Apparition. You got to hurry. The rain will wash away the footprints if you don't."
Tonks pulled her coat even tighter around her and stalked outside. The clear footprints showed a way through the back garden towards a nearby group of trees. She hadn't even been outside for more than a few seconds before she felt drenched.
"I swear if I get a cold from this. I'm going to rip off Dawlish's balls and shove them up his ass with my boot when he hits on me tomorrow."
She followed the trail across a hedge and out into the open lands surrounding the manor. The footprints were clearly visible in the soaked ground which might as well have been a moor given how many puddles there were. Eventually, she reached higher, slightly dryer ground and stepped into a copse of trees where the footprints ended . A freshly broken branch above her head was all the indication she got that someone had taken a broom from the location. She waved her wand and felt the wards still pressing down on her. They couldn't have apparated from this location. Everything pointed to a broom. God she hated her job.
She trudged back to the Manor, water sloshing around in her boots while the wind whipped rain into her face.
"Lead didn't pan out. They must have been carrying a broom or have hidden a broom in that group of trees. I've got nothing except getting myself wet."
"I think we're done here then, Lord Nott. We'll take everything back to the Department and put our best people on it."
"See that you do."
Tonks hated that smile on the man's face. She knew she shouldn't be biased but the man had been mentioned in Harry's letter and she was sure he was one of Voldemort's willing lackeys. She just couldn't understand the endgame. Everything about this break-in screamed something was wrong.
Still soaked she arrived back at the Office. "What have we got?"
"Nothing. Seriously. Every book seemed to be there. We found several banned books but nothing will come of it. Nott is too well protected. Even if we have actual proof that there are illegal works in his Manor our hands are tied because of the family's status."
"So, we can do fuck all?"
"Pretty much."
"It was staged. I don't know why it was staged but my gut is telling me this was a distraction."
Tonks fell back into her chair. She ran both her hands through her wet hair, wringing water out of it.
"There's been an attack! Burning buildings in a muggle village! Every Auror is requested there. Cursed flames."
"Fuck!" Tonks growled. "This is too much of a coincidence."
"No time to think about that."
Tonks arrived back home at Grimmauld in the early hours, dead on her feet.
"Long night?"
"First another useless meeting, then we got a call for a break in at Nott's. Afterwards we got the reports that there had been an attack on a muggle village. Four families burned alive in what looks like a Muggle hunt. Yes Sirius, it's been a long fucking night. I'm cold and I'm wet and I fucking miss Harry. You know what I want right now?"
"No."
"I want to have Harry next to me in bed while I hug the living stuffing out of him and listen to him tell me that everything is going to be alright and the good guys will win in the end. Then we make out and live happily ever after. That's what I want."
"Then you'll be happy to hear there is another letter for you."
"Probably more shitty news."
"This one is for Tonks," Sirius smirked. "It's pretty long too."
"Gimme!"
"Shower first and then breakfast - how did you even manage to get moss into your hair?"
"Alright, alright."
Tonks arrived back in the kitchen where a solid breakfast had been made and put down in front of her usual seat. A thick envelope was placed in the middle of her empty plate. She ripped it open and extracted the sheets of parchment from it.
Hey She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and Master Dogger
How's life? Life here is tough but you probably heard about that at your bookclub.
This part is for both of you. I want to tell you that I miss you and that I wish I could be there with you.
I never got to thank you for all you did for me and by extension Jacque over the summer. I'm forever grateful for that. Dogger I hope you are doing well in the doghouse and that it has become a place worthy of your fur. Say hello to our favourite - OW! Friend. Alright girl. You're my favourite feathered friend. Still, say hi to the big guy from me.
The next part I suppose Dogger can have a look at as well but I need advice from someone who isn't a danger to any relationship.
Hogsmeade Weekend is coming up. First of all do you think it's a good idea for me to invite J? I know it would be bad if we were seen but there must be somewhere around where we can meet and maybe have dinner without everyone getting up in our business. Thanks for the help on that front. It's going better, I think. I hope so. It's hard you know putting stuff into a letter and saying what you want to say without really telling them. I miss J so much. Not that I don't miss you too, but I really don't want to get licked in the face by the dog and sorry Nym but at the moment I'm off the bench. Though I wouldn't say no if me and J go our separate ways. That's a joke by the way. I'm not stupid enough to think I would even have a chance.
I still need help though. What would you suggest we did if we had a day together? Is it allowed for me to be apparated out of Hogsmeade? Is that a bad idea? I don't know.
Please I could really use some help. Did you ever get around to refurbishing or did that IDEA die before it even hit the ground? Honestly how's everything going?
Stay awesome pink!
Yours Most Definitely
H
Tonks smiled softly as she read the words out loud for Sirius to hear.
"So, has he invited you on a date yet?"
"He hasn't. I would go if he did though. You know that, but he's right. It'll be hard to find a spot where we could be alone without anyone bothering us or walking in on us."
"You know. I think the Hog's Head has private rooms. I'm not saying it's a nice place but nobody really bats an eye with that clientele. Aberforth is even good for slipping stuff for the right price if you want a little something stronger?"
"You do realize that I'm still of age as Jacque, right?"
"Oh. Yeah. How does that work by the way out of curiosity. Do you consider yourself the same age in both bodies or do you consider yourself different ages?"
"Honestly? I think my mind and body considers Jacque to be eighteen, give or take a few months. It's damn confusing at times. It's like there are more hormones in that form as well. I can't explain it. I just know that whenever I'm in that form and think about Harry I get so damned turn on that I need a shower."
"Too much information thank you. He's still my godson."
"He's still hot, you should have seen what Mum's potions did to his muscles. Yum!"
"Did so not want to hear that coming from you."
"What? I thought you said you didn't care. You certainly did not leave out any details when you told the story of the threeway you literally stumbled into!"
"I don't care about you being together. I just don't want to listen to your dirty fantasies either. You'll always be my little Nymmi-"
"That's it! Training Room now!"
"But your breakfast?"
"Dobby'll keep it warm. Someone needs to show a certain dogger how to behave properly around a lady."
"I swear the hormones are messed up in that form too. - OW stop that."
"I heard that you idiot!"
It was a refreshed Tonks and a rather battered Sirius who returned to the table half an hour later. Tonks eagerly ate the food in front of her before heading up to crash in her bed. Her dreams plagued by a certain half-naked greeneyed individual.
Hey Jacque
Our first Hogsmeade weekend is coming up and I was wondering if you would like to spend the afternoon walking around the village and maybe even grab dinner in the evening, just the two of us. I finally got roped into doing that by Hermione. She has planned a meeting around noon at a place called the Hog's Head. I'm free to meet up after that. I guess what I'm asking is. Jacque Noir would you like to go on a second date with me? The Weekend is on the thirtieth of October. I hope you have the time to come.
Yours Always
Harry
Dear Harry
I would love to. I've missed you so much and I am dying to see you. I'll be at the Hog's Head around noon waiting for you to finish up. Promise me you will be careful and have your friend check up on privacy wards. You can't be sure nobody is listening in. It doesn't sound like you are doing something the Ministry would approve. Promise me you will be careful.
Votre Amant
Jacque