I was not going to get into an argument about what was worth more research, Animagus Transformation or Metamorphmagus abilities. We were both obviously biased and that wouldn't be very fair, would it? See? Hufflepuff.
"So, did you manage to improve your hearing?" Remus asked over Sirius' complaining.
"Eventually," I admitted with a frown, it had taken me far longer than I thought it would. "At the end of the year. And there's a story about that but first there's Christmas and other things."
That got Sirius' attention again.
"Oh? Interesting things? More pranks? Please let it be more pranks. I want it-"
Remus thankfully shut him up by putting his hand over his mouth.
"Let her speak, Padfoot."
[xxxxxx]
She had started to get a bit of a name for herself. In Hufflepuff House at least. All because of the dungbombs. She wasn't entirely sure that situation was the way you were supposed to go about doing it but it was what it was. Though, she wasn't particularly sure that she wanted to be known as "Dungbomb Girl". Hopefully that wouldn't stick. Even "Rainbow Girl" was better than that. Though, being associated with dungbombs was better than being associated with the Black Family. Dungbombs stank less in her opinion.
On that note, she was finally free from the smell of dungbombs. Tonks was seriously convinced that it coated the inside of her nose all these weeks, everything smelled like them. But now every smell was back to normal, she could breathe freely again.
For example, she could smell that lovely old book smell in the Library again. Normally it would make her scrunch up her nose but now she welcomed it. Nothing was disgusting after the dungbombs. Not even the boy's toilets and that was saying something.
Taking in the leather and paper smells in the Library, Tonks pulled out her homework. Having detentions really put her behind it. She didn't like waiting until the day or two before to finish homework. It stressed her out so she was trying to get back on track.
She was making good progress when she was oh so rudely interrupted.
"Hey, Dungbomb Girl," came the greeting, a bag appearing on the table in front of her.
"Shut up, Samantha," Tonks said without looking up.
She just knew her friend was grinning stupidly at her. There was no need to look up to know that.
"Nice nickname," she was complimented.
That was definitely not shutting up. Tonks looked up to glare at her. Which just got Samantha giggling.
"Shhh!" came the inevitable telling off from Madame Pince.
"How do you even know about that?" Tonks demanded in a whisper.
It had happened in the Hufflepuff corridor! Samantha was a Gryffindor.
"The whole school is talking about it," Samantha said with a shrug.
"Really?"
"Well, most of the school."
Huh. That was kind of cool. She hadn't realised that the prank would be on anyone's radar (except for her House of course but they didn't exactly have any choice).
"Though, I think even more of them are talking about your little suit of armour stunt."
Tonks groaned loudly at that. Of course, they were. People didn't forget a dozen clanging, metal suits falling over in a hurry.
"That was pretty spectacular."
"Shut up," Tonks grumbled.
Samantha grinned at her and sat down in the opposite chair.
"You really are making a name for yourself."
And none of it was good. Except maybe the pulling a prank bit. Which would be good if people didn't focus on the smell that it had resulted in. Tonks sighed.
"I guess so."
Samantha patted her hand sympathetically. It didn't help.
"It's not that bad," she said consolingly.
"Can we talk about something else?"
"Sure," Samantha shrugged. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Anything."
As long as it wasn't about her reputation throughout the school. Or any incidents involving her.
"Christmas!"
Now, that was a topic she could get behind. Who didn't like talking about Christmas? Certainly not her.
Tonks put her quill down, ready for a distraction.
"What about Christmas?" she asked.
Samantha gave her a hesitant look.
"Are you doing anything over the holidays?"
Tonks shrugged. "Except eating too much? Might see my dad's family. What about you?"
On that note, she should probably look into getting her friends presents.
"You going to the Ministry Ball this year?" Samantha asked her.
"Dunno. Parents haven't said anything."
They hadn't gone last year. The first one Tonks could remember them missing. Allegedly it was because it was her first holiday home from school and they didn't want to go anywhere.
"It's been boring without you."
That made her smile a bit, Samantha's parents finally decided to go to the Ministry Balls again. Of course, this would happen when Tonks' parents decided they weren't going. She had only attended one Ball with Samantha, last summers. Which had been great. Though, she didn't think Samantha's parents would agree. They weren't that fond of her family because of the way they stuck out. Tonks hadn't entirely understood that until she had come to Hogwarts. Not that she understood why people cared so much. Surely her parents' marriage wasn't that much of a scandal all these years on? Well, Hogwarts was definitely a testament to that fact that that was so. Annoyingly so.
"Well, it's not exactly up to me," Tonks pointed out.
She couldn't exactly get into a Ministry Ball without her parents. Not that she was complaining. The older she got the less fun they were.
"Well, ask them then."
Yes, because that wouldn't raise any suspicions at all. She had never been shy about complaining about the damn things when she was younger and with all the mischief that she and her friends used to get up to... yeah, that would definitely be suspicious.
Tonks shook her head. "Don't think it would work. Pretty sure I heard them say how nice it was not to go anymore. Something about politics or something."
That was the very diplomatic way of saying that they would really rather not be anywhere near Lucius Malfoy and the like. The Malfoys had apparently been going to more Ministry Balls from what she had heard, now that their son (Drago or something?) was old enough to attend. At least, that's what Ministry gossip said. Which was just as bad as Hogwarts gossip, apparently.
"Aw." Samantha looked disappointed at that. "I miss our shenanigans."
Tonks nodded in agreement, a big grin spreading across her face. That had been the best part of those sorts of events, not that any of their parents agreed. But still. How else were they supposed to pass the time? Behaving? No thank you.
"We could have even done something with dungbombs this year," Samantha continued. "You know, because you're an expert in them."
Tonks threw a quill at her.
[xxxxxx]
"Hogwarts really isn't that creative when coming up with nicknames, is it?" Remus mused.
"We were much better," Sirius said proudly.
"Yes, because Padfoot and Moony are real clever," I said sarcastically.
"They are excellent, excuse me," he replied with a sniff.
"Uh huh."
"No respect for their elders these days, Moony. None at all."
