Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story
It was a blistering, hot night in London. Nymphadora Tonks stood in the middle of Grimmauld place with two of her colleagues. Tonks was still dressed in her official auror robes, but wished that she had thrown on a t-shirt. Her hair was in short chocolate curls that framed her heart shaped face. The two men standing on either side of her were the famous Mad-Eye Moody and the less famous but equally talented Kingsley Shacklebolt. Tonks had been so anxious about tonight, and had been preparing herself all week for this meeting. It was Nymphadora's first year as a qualified auror. She was partnered with Kingsley on many cases, and Moody had just taken a liking to her, he had become kind of like her mentor. These men were the only two aurors she felt comfortable with, she even shared with them that she believed that the dark lord was really back and that Dumbledore wasn't some old crazy bat. At this confession the men jumped for their opportunity to add to the Order's members. They asked her if she was interested in fighting against the dark lord, she instantly jumped at the opportunity to help fight, and maybe prove her-self even further. After she had accepted this request she had told them about how she had been yearning to clear her family's name, considering she was closely related to Sirius Black and Bellatrix Lestrange. At this remark the men confessed to Tonks that her dear cousin was an innocent man also fighting in the efforts against Voldemort. This news was probably the hardest to consume for Tonks. She had loved her cousin and spent summers with him in her younger years; she had spent so many years telling herself that he was an evil man, and that he was no longer the fun loving cousin that she had played fairies and giants with. But now was not the time to worry about the shock she went through, she was about to enter into a whole new chapter of her life and she needed to stay focused. Moody handed her a piece of paper to memorize, but when she read I she was perplexed. There was no 12 Grimmauld Place, only 11 and 13. Mad-eye snatched the paper out of her hand and set it aflame.
"Now think about what you just read, and stay next to me Tonks." Mad-eye said in a gruff voice just above a whisper. She was terribly confused but did as she was told, just as she was thinking '12 Grimauld Place' a door seemed to appear in-between 11 and 13. Then the whole house was visible.
The trio entered the dark dismal house without a sound, and Kingsley had gestured towards Tonks to stay silent. She was looking around and wondering why the Order of the Phoenix would pick a house that was clearly owned before by the darkest of wizards for headquarters. She was reflecting on her silent entrance in the house when her leg hit that damned umbrella stand. The noise seemed to provoke a sleeping Mrs. Black; this was a sight horrified Tonks beyond belief. Moody and King attended to the portrait while Tonks collected herself.
"Sorry, you guys know how clumsy I am." She said as a blush rose to her face. Just as she said this, a short plump witch with red hair came huffing out of the kitchen.
"Would you two not announce your entrance," the witch began to scorn the two men, "we have enough to worry about with out having the whole house wake up. I mean we really don't know what's been living here for the past decade and a half."
"I'm sorry ma'am that was my fault. I tripped over that umbrella stand." The short witch turned to Tonks and softened her expression.
"Oh you must be Nymphadora, we've heard all about you. I'm Molly Weasley dear. You may know my husband Arthur, don't fret about the portrait. We are so glad that you're joining us, here come into the kitchen I've just put out some dinner for the meeting." Her previously harsh tone switched to a soft motherly one that Tonks thought suited her quite well. Tonks was very amused at the unjustified looks on Moody's and Kingsley's faces as Molly led her into the kitchen.
Remus Lupin was standing in the corner of headquarters kitchen with Sirius Black
"Moony, we need to save Harry from those awful people. He needs to be immersed in this world; he has the right to know about the events that are un-raveling." Sirius had been pushing to retrieve Harry from the Dursleys ever since Hogwarts got out for summer.
"Padfoot, we've been over this. I agree with you, but the Order needs to get organized before we can safely see to Harry. You need to get it off your mind; you've been at it for a week and a half now. Maybe your lifelong goal to torture Snape, I would normally frown upon it, but you've become overly annoying." Sirius opened his mouth in retort, but a sudden disturbance occurred out in the hallway which triggered Mrs. Black's portrait. Molly Weasley ran out in a hustle to deal with who ever was announcing their entrance. She reentered and the room was back to its low buzz. No one but Lupin noticed she was joined by a new face. The young woman looked no more than 22 years of age. She was dressed in ministry robes, so she must have been the new auror Mad-eye had been talking so much about. Her heart shaped face was framed by short curls that were the perfect color of chocolate, if only he could remember what Moody said her name was.
"Sirius who's that with Molly?" Sirius looked over with a grin,
"My new distraction Moony." Lupin rolled his eyes. This girl was much younger than the both of them but he knew it was useless to point this out to Sirius.
Sirius was walking towards the beautiful young lady who entered the kitchen with Molly. She looked very familiar to him, but he couldn't place her face.
"You must be the new recruit," the young lady turned around to face Sirius, "this headquarters is my family home. If you would like me to give you a tour of it I will most certainly love to." She raised her eye-brow in skepticism, "Most of the rooms are still infested, but we did manage to clear the kitchen, and a bedroom or two." Sirius smiled his most suggestive smile, and finally the woman spoke.
"Sirius Black, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Ah, so you do know who I am."
"I should, you babysat me during the summers." Sirius was hit with the realization,
"Nympha-" Tonks pulled out her wand in warning, "I mean Tonksie?" ask Sirius.
"I don't blame you, it has been nearly 14 years." Sirius embraced his little cousin.
"You've grown up so much Tonksie, and an auror to boot. Let me introduce you to the rest of the Order." Remus Lupin watched the encounter with much confusion. She didn't reject him, but she also didn't drag him off to the bedroom upstairs. Damn! Sirius was good. Lupin engaged in a conversation with Kingsley as Sirius made his rounds with the woman at his side, if only he could remember her name.
"You might know this young fellow Tonksie." Sirius was directing Tonks around the room, introducing her to every member of the order. He was currently pointing out Bill Weasley, whom Tonks did in-fact already know. During her Hogwarts career she had been dear old William's personal dose of hell.
"Oh, I know Bill. Mr. Head Boy himself."
"Oh dear, Merlin it's the fairy floss torpedo." Bill's eyes widened with shock, Charlie pop up from behind his brother,
"Hey! How have you been Tonks?" he asked as he looked her up and down, "You look great" Tonks was in the same year as Charlie, and she had befriended him at Hogwarts, and kept in touch with him when she left.
"Thanks, you look good too." She would have been perfectly content just talking to Charlie and Bill, at least she knew them. But Sirius wanted to show off his little cousin to everyone.
"And last but certainly not least is my best mate, Professor, Remus John Lupin." Sirius dragged a tall shabby looking man from a conversation he was having with Kingsley.
"Remus this beautiful young lady is Nymphadora Tonks." Tonks had noticed this man shortly after she had entered the kitchen, he was easily the tallest member here, and loomed over every one else. He raked his hand through his hair and looked down into her eyes. She noticed his amber eyes had green teasing the outside of them, they held a sort of gentle look to them. His hair was a light brown with streaks of silver in it. All it did was emphasize his eyes more. She had been so proud at how she had composed herself so far. She only stumbled once since entering the kitchen and she had planned to keep it that way, but she noticed that she was staring a bit too intently into his eyes. She quickly averted her gaze to her shoes and held out her hand for a shake; but she extended it too far and with too much force, and ended up practically punching him in the abdomen.
"Oof." He backed up, and bent slightly at the hip,
"Oh my goodness, Mr. Lupin I'm so sorry! I-I meant to shake your hand," her hair flared into its normal bright pink out of nerves. She walked towards him, but managed to step on his foot, and head butt him. He looked up, rubbing his head, his eyes wandered to her hair.
"Wasn't it just, brown?" he asked with a slightly winded voice. She was practically beating him, and his concern was her hair?
"Uh yeah I'm a metamorphagus." At this Tonks scrunched her face and changed her hair to bouncy blonde curls.
"How interesting, it's very nice to meet you Miss. Tonks." He put out his hand for a shake.
"The feeling mutual Professor but there's no Miss to it." She took his hand glad that she didn't end up punching him again.
"My apologies Nymphadora." She winced
"No, I meant just call me Tonks."
"Oh, well none the less it's very nice to meet you Tonks. I see that you are related to Sirius, I'm sorry you missed a wonderful man." Sirius had been distracted by Severus Snape in the corner, and was now on the hunt. Tonks was shocked by Lupin's comment but was sure it was simply a joke.
"oh I don't need him I have plenty of other men waiting at my door step." Lupin laughed freely.
"Miss Tonks I merely meant that I'm sorry you didn't get to know Sirius as a person. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the line of men you have waiting for you is a mile long." She morphed back her blushed, a little from flattery and a little from embarrassment. But Lupin just continued to vaguely smile. She tried to change the subject from further embarrassment to herself.
"So, you're a professor."
"Was; I taught at Hogwarts about a year ago. I was the defense against the dark arts professor."
"Of course, you taught Harry Potter's 3rd year. You gave Umbridge a lot of grief. She was so pissed that they let a werewo-" she stopped and looked at the scars on his face.
He grimaced as he said, "Yep that's me, ministry nuisances, ex-professor and resident werewolf." Oh Merlin now she was even more embarrassed, crap can't she just have a normal conversation with a nice man.
"How interesting." She said in mock of his words earlier, his light laughter lifted her spirits.
He felt a tingle of warmth as she lightly slapped his arm jokingly. She didn't make some lame excuse to leave him, or look at him with disgust. She in-fact showed no sign that his lycropathy made a difference in her opinion of him.
"So you were friends with the Potters?" she suddenly realized how horrible that was of her to ask.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have,"
"it's quiet all right Miss Tonks. Yes I was friends with the Potters as was Sirius, he's Harry's godfather you know?" She widened her eyes slightly with shock. Sirius? A responsible godfather? The idea made her chuckle
"I bet he's ideal, responsible, respected and disciplined." It was Lupin's turn to laugh, she found his laugh infectious. She saw the lines on his face disappear as he laughed; he looked much younger with a smile on his face.
The meeting was called to order shortly. And to Tonks' horror she found herself making a fool of herself yet again. Lupin had been a perfect gentleman and had pulled a chair out for her to sit in. Well she had managed to fall backwards in the chair and pulled down Remus in the process. He twisted his body to break her fall and found her red as a tomato on his chest rambling apologies
"I'm so sorry Mr. Lupin. It just—I mean I – the chair was-"
"Are you ok Miss Tonks?" she looked at him with a bit of confusion. He was the one that hit the ground, and had a chair in his ribs.
"Ye—yes, thank you Mr. Lupin." She said in a small voice.
"It's Remus" he replied. Everyone was quite amused with the incident; Sirius couldn't help but commented on how Tonks was falling for Moony. Once everyone was settled Dumbledore introduced Tonks and a woman named Emmiline Vance as the new members. He brought up Voldemorts movements, and their actions against them. He talked about the surveillance of Harry Potter and the prophecy, Tonks made a not of memorizing every detail of these missions. Dumbledore listed the weeks worth of guard duty at the end of the meeting, Tonks was delighted to learn hat her first assignment was guard duty on Wednesday. She was going to have the night shift with Remus Lupin. Tonks' eyes found Remus', he smiled genuinely. The Headmaster concluded the meeting and invited anyone to stay for dinner on Molly's request.
Dinner was served with out and other catastrophe from Tonks, although there was a close call once with the butter knife. Tonks had talked with Charlie Weasley, mostly about quidditch during dinner. She found the meal very distracting; she was sitting across from Remus with Sirius at the end of the table. She kept brushing his long legs, and found herself wondering about their extent.
At the end of the meal few members stayed behind for chit-chat. Charlie had to rush of to guard duty while Bill though he should go back to Gringotts to check on his trainee. Dumbledore stayed and talked with some people, including Tonks, before leaving with Minerva for Hogwarts. Tonks found herself talking to Sirius at about 1:30, and saw that her, Sirius, Kingsley and Lupin were the last left in the house. Everyone had left for the night. She felt a yawn creep up her throat.
Kinsley stated "Well I better get going if I plan to be awake for work in a few hours." Tonks stood up in agreement. Lupin made his way to the door also.
"We should all get some rest." Sirius took Tonks' arm in his
"You have to come around here more often Tonksie we have loads of catching up to do." His face was lit up with a smile, but it sounded a little like a plea.
"Of course I will."
They had now reached the front door. Sirius gave a quick hug to his little cousin and made for the stairs. Lupin shook Kingsley's hand in farewell and started to follow Sirius up the steps.
"It has been lovely meeting you Nymphadora." She felt a weird tingle creep up her spine
"It's just Tonks, Remus." Remus turned to go up the steps with a slight smile on his face, and Tonks turned towards the door. But before she could turn the handle something that resembled a shriveled potato jumped onto Tonks' shoulders, sending her on her back.
"FILTHY HALFBREED! COME TO TINT MY MISTRESS' NAME OF BLACK!" Sirius grabbed Kreacher by the neck and threw him to the floor. The noise had awoken Mrs. Black's portrait
"YOU IS DISTURBING HER AGAIN TO BEG FOR YOUR FAMILY'S HONNOR, BUT YOU IS NOT GETTING IT BACK!" Kreacher run over to the portrait and flung his arms in front of it. Tonks could not speak from shock. Sirius' voice could be heard over both Mrs. Black and Kreacher
"YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF GRIME! HOW DARE YOU ATTACK TONKS! SHE WOULD NEVER WANT TO BE ASSOICATED WITH THE FAMILY YOU SERVED!" Kreacher was still addressing Tonks, now with a more mysterious and evil glint in his eye
"you come in this house with your ever changing looks not worthy of trust from any witch or wizard. My mistress was seen that way, you receive you gift for deception form her. Her blood runs through your veins. You is more like her than you know halfblood." With this Sirius kicked Kreacher in the gut and silenced him with his wand. Mrs. Black's portrait was still yelling, but as Lupin was closing the curtains beady eyes bore into Tonks saying
"MY OWN BLOOD TINTED WITH FILTH!"
All was quiet in the hall; all three men were staring at Tonks waiting for her to break in to tears. She looked around at them from the floor where she sat. Her eyes lock with Lupin's
"Well, I'll see you on Wednesday Remus." She stood up and left the house before any one could speak their concerns for her.
She apperated down the street from her flat and walk home. She entered her apartment. She closed the door and slid down with her back against the door. She hugged her knees to her chest and heaved a great sigh. He had called her a black, an evil murderous person. He had accused her of wanting to reclaim her heritage. She felt the back of her eyes sting, she had always excelled in DADA class, and she couldn't deny that she was slightly curious about seeing the house of black. People always shied away from her due to her family at school, and her loyalties were constantly questioned at the ministry. How thick did Black blood run? She cursed herself for being so childish, but tonight's events had brought back those questions in the back of her mind about her connections with dark magic. She got to her feet and pushed back the stinging in her eyes that threatened tears, she wasn't one to cry over hateful words.
Tonks got ready for bed and slipped under the covers for a good nights rest. The comments made by Kreacher still lingered in her mind. She pushed them away and tried to think of her first assignment on Wednesday. She thought about the man who would join her, his features fitted his age, but the lines on his face made him seem older to others. She thought about the streaks in his hair, most would say they were gray, but she thought they let off a silver look to them. The silver matched wonderfully with his eyes, amber with green. They told of his soul and its profound depth, his knowledge and kind heart. She wondered why she was thinking this after only knowing the man for a few hours, but was too tired to give it much of a care. She found peaceful sleep thinking about those eyes.
Author's Note: Hope you liked it the T rating is for later chapters so don't be disapointed yet. I know I'm hopeless at grammar and spelling, but if you're willing to beta then PM me :) reviewers get to serve night duty with their favorite werewolf ;)
