13 November 1971
"Dora, might I take you aside for a moment?" Uncle Al asked. They were standing outside the building that housed his flat.
"Sure, Uncle Al, what's up?" Dora replied.
"Whoever gives you etiquette lessons will have their hands full," Al chortled. "But that's not what I'd like to refer to at the moment."
"Okay?" Dora looked at him expectantly.
"I live with a partner," Al said quietly. Dora looked quizzically at him for a moment before she understood.
"Oh!" Dora's eyes grew wide in understanding. "I thought as much, actually," she smiled at Al knowingly. "What's his name? Is he up there now?"
Al looked relieved at Dora's quick acceptance; after all, Dora thought, she had come from the late 90s, a far more accepting era for Muggles and wizards alike.
"Titus Crowdy," Al said, grinning at Dora. "The family know him as my flatmate and business partner, but of course, I suspect they all know who he truly is."
"I'd never heard of him before," Dora said truthfully. "Why is that?"
"My affairs are private," Al replied. "I was fortunate enough to be the second son, so as to not have to provide an heir."
"But now you have me," Dora smiled cheekily. "And a partner!"
"That I do," Al acknowledged with a grin. "Would you like to meet him?"
"Please!" Dora agreed. "But wait!" she hesitated, as Al looked suddenly concerned. "Does Titus know about me? The real me, that is?"
"Ah, that," Al said. "He doesn't know the full circumstances of your arrival, but merely that you are a long-lost relative who needs assistance."
"He, err, won't have a problem with me, will he?" Dora asked tentatively. "How long have you two been…?"
"Eight years," Al said quickly. "I don't believe he assumes you are my child, but even if you were, he's not the type to be jealous, if that's what you're asking."
"Brilliant," Dora replied. "I really wouldn't want to get in the way of anything." Al simply smiled and took them through the building the Muggle way, so as to show Dora how she might get there, should she be missing her wand. They came upon the third floor of the building, and Al let them through the wards.
Al's flat was spacious and familiar-looking; Sirius had this flat! When Al died in 1976, it was left to Sirius! Tonks had visited a few times in her early childhood, before everything fell apart…did that mean this Uncle Al would die in 1976 too? Dora quickly put the thoughts aside, as a new face was now greeting her.
"You must be Al's long-lost daughter," a portly, but kind-looking gentleman said upon seeing Dora.
"I am, please call me Dora, sir," she responded politely.
"No need for that 'sir' nonsense, Dora. Please, call me Titus," the gentleman said kindly, offering his hand.
"Are you actually business partners, or do you do something else for work, Titus?" Dora asked.
Titus laughed loudly. "I too am an unnecessary heir, and have my own inheritance to live on," he explained. "I enjoy photography, however."
"I wish I had a camera," Dora confessed. "I think I'd like to have more pictures of my time here. I feel they'll be nice to have some day."
Titus smiled knowingly at Al, and they both turned to give Dora a tour of the flat.
…..
14 November 1971
Dora stood in front of a mirror in Titus and Al's flat. They had given her a generously sized bedroom to use when she stayed with them (Al had warned Dora that she might not stay with them full-time, as it was likely to be deemed 'improper' that a young girl be raised by a single man.)
She was dressed in finer robes than she had ever worn, and she nervously touched the elegant fabric hanging off her morphed body. She had successfully morphed herself into an average 11 year old's body; she was six inches shorter than she was used to, much to her chagrin. She hadn't been very tall to begin with, but now she felt positively tiny. Her hair was tied into a glossy black plait, her cheekbones were more pronounced, but she kept her face slightly rounder than she'd liked to mark the appearance of youth; finally her eyes were back to the grey that matched Sirius' and her Uncle Al's. When she looked at herself, she was very nearly a mirror image of her mother, Andromeda, excepting the hooded eyes that her mother and Bellatrix shared.
Today, she was off to meet the extended Black family she had never known in her timeline. After her mother, Andromeda, was blasted off the family tree and disowned, the closest she ever got to her family were Sirius, before and after his arrest, and next, at Auror-mandated Azkaban visits, where she endured the horrendous taunts from her Aunt Bellatrix.
Dora was agitated. She had to present herself as her Uncle Al's daughter and hope to be accepted by the extended family so she could spy on Death Eaters that would pass through Grimmauld Place in the coming years.
Uncle Al, Newt, Dumbledore, and Tina worked out their cover story before they returned to England. Alphard was supposed to have met Rosemary Scamander on holiday in Paris. The two had struck up a holiday romance, and before Rosemary realized it, she had become pregnant with Dora. Knowing Alphard's family and how traditional they were, she chose to keep the child quiet enough that Alphard knew about her and give her a classic Black name, but far away enough to avoid the Black family rage over a child born out of wedlock, even if it was from a respectable, pureblood family.
With Rosemary's unfortunate death, Alphard was notified that his daughter, Dora, needed a proper education and her grandfather, Newt, insisted it be at Hogwarts so she could get to know her paternal family, given how prominent and admirable the Black family was. The Scamanders were getting older, and they insisted their granddaughter would be better raised in a proper British home. Thus, young Pandora Rosemary Black was sent to England to reunite with her long-lost father and establish a relationship with her paternal family. Grandfather and Grandmother Scamander would write to Dora and provide for anything she needed, and she would be welcome to visit them for part of her summer holidays.
Tonks knew it was a solid backstory; she had the paperwork from MACUSA to prove her new parentage, but it was the Black family acceptance that would enable her mission to go smoothly. A soft rap at the door broke her reverie.
"Dora?" Al called. "We're expected at your grandparents' home."
"Yes, Father," Dora replied. She had been practicing referring to her Uncle Al as "Father," to make it more believable that she would be a Black daughter, like her own mother.
Tonks emerged from the door, ready for the next adventure.
…..
Dora and Al appeared at Grimmauld Place. Tonks felt a familiar sense of foreboding upon seeing the Black family home again. This time, she would see Walburga Black, alive and in the flesh. A shiver ran up her spine as she braced herself for her first Black family reunion.
Al led Tonks up the memorable steps and knocked on the serpent door-knocker. The door opened and Kreacher, the Black family house elf, bowed deeply.
"Master Alphard," Kreacher started, "Mistress is waiting for you in the drawing room."
Kreacher looked at Tonks quizzically, as if trying to place her properly. "The new young Miss?" Kreacher asked.
"Yes, Kreacher," confirmed Al. "You'll know more when you need to."
"Kreacher lives to serve the House of Black," Kreacher croaked, and led Al and Tonks down the hall towards the drawing room.
Tonks was genuinely surprised to see Grimmauld Place so clean. The last time she had been in the house, it was grimy, dusty, and gloomy. The house was still creepy and dark, but it was at the very least clean. Kreacher's devotion to his Mistress was unwavering.
Al put his hand on Dora's shoulder and led her into the drawing room. He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze, and she curtsied to the Black family members gathered there.
Dora's eyes grew wide as she viewed the scene. She swallowed bile as she looked at Bellatrix Lestrange, sitting calmly in front of her new husband, Rodolphus Lestrange. Tonks twitched her hand slightly towards her wand. She insisted on carrying it with her. She would be passing it off as her "mother" Rosemary's old wand, explaining why a pre-Hogwarts student had a wand so early.
"Alphard," Walburga greeted. "We've been expecting you."
"We have been looking forward to this meeting," Alphard replied. "Please allow me to introduce my daughter, Pandora Rosemary Black."
Tonks stepped forward, focusing all her efforts on not tripping over the robes hanging on her frame. She glanced up briefly, and curtsied as well as she could towards the gathered. She glanced back up and then shuffled back near Al.
"Her manners are sufficient for now," commented an older woman. "She will need further instruction if she should truly be a daughter of the House of Black."
"Kreacher!" Walburga called. The elf appeared in the room and bowed deeply before his Mistress.
"Is this child a Black?" she demanded. "Is there a bond?"
Kreacher appraised Tonks. A heavy lump was forming in her stomach. I have Black blood, she thought, my mother is Andromeda Black. My mother is a Black.
Kreacher croaked, "Kreacher sees the bond. The child is a Black," he declared, and bowed before Tonks. She let out a sigh of relief.
"Give him an order, Dora" urged Alphard. "That will confirm if you are truly my daughter."
Tonks nodded. She said, "Kreacher, bring me a glass of water." Kreacher disappeared for a moment and returned with a glass of water, presenting it to Tonks.
"Is that all, Miss Dora?" he asked.
"Yes, Kreacher, you are dismissed," Tonks commanded. The elf disappeared, and everyone in the room nodded approvingly. Tonks was truly a Black.
"Why have you kept her from us, Al?" thundered an old man. Ah, that must be Pollux, Sirius' grandfather, Tonks thought. The woman who commented on my manners must be Irma, the grandmother.
"I did not wish to marry, Father," replied Al, calmly. "If the child had been a true heir, then perhaps I would have been more inclined." What was left unsaid: as Dora was a female child, marrying her off to bear someone else's heirs was more of a burden than a boon for House Black.
"She is a bright child and her grandparents felt it appropriate for her to return to England to be educated here," Al continued.
"She cannot be raised by you alone, Alphard," cut in Irma. "It is highly improper for a single man to raise a daughter. She shall be raised with Walburga or Druella."
Shit. Shit. Shit. Sirius was raised by Walburga and that was clearly a terrible childhood. Druella was her own grandmother who allowed Andromeda to be blasted off the family tree. Shit. Shit. Shit.
"I very much agree, Mother," Alphard admitted. "However, I will see my daughter weekly to determine her progress. No child of mine will be lacking in manners." He looked sternly at Tonks, before looking back at the rest of the family.
"Walburga, Druella," drawled Pollux. "Which one of you will take the child?"
"I'm not raising another daughter," a man snarled. "I hardly need a replacement for the traitor." That must be dear old granddad, Cygnus. Scowls and hisses spread throughout the room, apparently in protest against Andromeda's recent betrayal as a blood traitor. If this is what mum suffered while she was here, Tonks thought, she's much stronger than I ever knew.
"Walburga?" demanded Pollux.
"If I must," Walburga accepted. "If only to educate the girl as a true Black."
Dora was aghast at the family dynamic. They treated her as if she were a prop, rather than a human being. It was simply ludicrous, and it explained Sirius' absolute hatred of his mother.
"Excellent," stated Alphard. "Perhaps we can arrange introductions now?" No one said anything, which Tonks assumed meant they agreed to introduce themselves. When no one spoke, Al nudged Tonks towards the seated couples. Evidently she was expected to curtsy repeatedly as she introduced herself to everyone.
Dora began with the first set of grandparents, Pollux and Irma. She curtsied, and Pollux kissed her knuckles. Irma nodded. Pollux said, "I am your grandfather, Pollux Black. This is your grandmother, Irma Black."
"Very nice to meet you both," Tonks said.
Irma tsked and scowled at Tonks. "Walburga, you'll need the finest governess for this one."
Dora held her disgust in and moved to the next couple. She met Cygnus and Druella. They were slightly kinder than Pollux and Irma, but not by very much.
She then moved to Walburga and her husband, Orion. They would be raising her now, with weekly breaks for her "father" Alphard. Orion looked deeply uninterested in Tonks. Walburga examined Tonks from head to toe and tsked as Irma had.
Finally, Dora turned to the couple she most dreaded: Bellatrix and Rodolphus. It took far more effort for her to curtsy to them than to the others. Tonks held in a scowl and hiss as Rodolphus kissed her knuckles. Bellatrix didn't bother to look at or acknowledge Tonks. Apparently, even after confirming her blood status as a Black, Tonks wasn't good enough for her Aunt Bellatrix.
"Kreacher!" called Walburga. Kreacher appeared at her feet. "Yes, Mistress," he croaked, bowing deeply once more. "Fetch Regulus."
A few moments later, a young boy appeared at the threshold of the drawing room, eyes downcast.
"Enter," Orion commanded. Tonks gasped; the young boy was truly Regulus! Sirius' younger, Death Eater brother.
Regulus eyed the room hesitantly before setting his eyes on Dora. He acknowledged everyone in the room and then strode towards Tonks, bowing before her and kissing her knuckles, as the other men had.
Alphard spoke. "This is your cousin, Regulus," he introduced. "Regulus, this is your cousin, Pandora. You may call her Dora."
"Yes, mother," Regulus said softly. Walburga cleared her throat loudly. Regulus flinched, but then offered his arm to Dora. "May I escort you to the dining room?" he asked, tentatively.
Dora smiled at him, and he returned the smile. "Yes, you may, Regulus." Dora accepted his offered arm as he led them out towards the dining room.
"Are you really my cousin?" Regulus asked shyly when they arrived in the nursery.
"Yes, and are we really in a nursery?" Dora asked, looking at various toys and games littered throughout the room.
"This is where children are supposed to be when we aren't being tutored or in school yet," Regulus shrugged. "You didn't answer my question." He stared intensely at Dora, his grey eyes so like Sirius, without the kindness and warmth she was accustomed to from her older cousin.
"Whether or not I'm really your cousin?" Dora asked, and Regulus nodded. "I am. I'm half Black. Kreacher answers to me."
"Prove it," Regulus contested.
"Kreacher!" Dora called. The ancient elf appeared in the room with a pop!
"Miss Dora calls for Kreacher?" the elf asked, bowing before her.
"Bring Regulus and I some chocolate, please," she ordered. Kreacher disappeared and returned moments later with two sizable bars of chocolate for Dora and Regulus.
"Thank you, Kreacher," Dora smiled at the little elf, who looked nervously back up at her before popping away.
"So you are related to us," Regulus said, in a still-dissatisfied tone. "Are you a pureblood?"
"Yes, but does that really matter?" Dora challenged. "Would you have treated me any differently if I wasn't a pureblood?"
"I'm supposed to," Regulus drawled. "You're a pureblood, so it hardly matters."
"Blood purity isn't everything, Regulus," Dora said hotly. "That's what doesn't matter." She stomped her foot at the boy angrily, furious that the child had already been indoctrinated to believe in blood purity.
"Kreacher!" Dora called. The elf materialized again with a pop!
"Yes, Miss Dora?" Kreacher asked.
"Take me to the room I'm to stay in," she ordered. "Regulus can come see me another time."
"Yes, Miss Dora," Kreacher replied, leading Dora to the room she'd be staying in at Grimmauld Place until she went back to Hogwarts for the second time.
…..
16 November 1971
Dora was reading in the Grimmauld Place library when a shadow flickered behind her. She looked up to see Regulus at the threshold of the library, staring expectantly at her.
"Regulus?" she called. "Is there something you need?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead, then."
"You said blood purity doesn't matter," he said, matter-of-factly.
"I did, but that's not a question."
"Why not?" Regulus asked, with wide eyes. "Aren't Mudbloods supposed to be dirty and filthy like their blood?"
"That's rubbish, Regulus," Dora replied. "You shouldn't use that word, either."
"Mud—" Regulus began, as if he were asking the question.
"The term is Muggle-born," Dora said. "I shan't be speaking with you if you use the other word."
"Do you really think Mud-Muggle-borns are equal to purebloods?" Regulus asked. "Sirius says so."
"Of course they're equal. Some of the finest witches and wizards I knew were Muggle-born or half-bloods. Pureblood doesn't mean anything."
"Why do mother and father say it does, then?"
"Because it's a foolish idea that certain families hold onto that make them feel important."
"The House of Black is not important?"
"Have you ever heard of a different 'Most Ancient and Noble House'?" Dora countered. "This family has an unhealthy love for its own name."
"Other families have heirs," Regulus offered. "I'm to be the heir of the House of Black if Sirius fails in his duties to the family."
"Heirs just carry the namesake and hold onto gold," Dora huffed. "It has no effect on one's magical skill."
"It doesn't?" Dora was alarmed to see Regulus deep in thought.
"Does Sirius believe what Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion say?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I think he just likes to disagree with them."
"So he might not actually disagree with blood purity?" Dora scratched at her chin lightly, wondering if Sirius had believed in blood purity before starting at Hogwarts, merely rebelling against his parents on principle, or if he'd come across the idea on his own.
"I don't know," Regulus said. "You don't believe in blood purity."
"No, I don't," Dora sighed. "You shouldn't either." Regulus remained at the threshold of the library, staring at Dora.
"Would you like to read something, Regulus?" Dora offered. "This library is enormous."
Regulus chuckled. "None of the best books are here."
"Where are they, then?" Dora asked. "The most interesting book I've found so far is on goblin relations, and it's…violent."
"Come with me," Regulus beamed. Dora followed him up staircase after staircase until they reached the top floor. They walked down the corridor until they reached a wall bearing a blank portrait.
"What am I looking at, Regulus?"
"Call for Belinda," Regulus whispered.
"Okay, Belinda?" Dora said.
"A little louder."
"BELINDA!" Dora shouted.
"Sweet Salazar Slytherin, keep your voice down, child," a drawling, female voice said. Dora looked up to see a woman in the portrait, wearing a pet snake as a scarf. The snake was moving in the portrait as well, hissing at the sight of Dora.
"Belinda, can we get in?" Regulus asked. "Please?"
"Who is this imp?" the woman in the portrait demanded.
"I'm Pandora Black, daughter of the House of Black," Dora said, impatiently. "I live here now, I suppose. Alphard is my father."
"A, a daughter of the House of Black," Belinda noted with pride. "You look just like the traitor did when she was your age."
"You mean Andromeda?" Dora offered flatly. The snake hissed and spat at the mention of the name.
"Yes, unfortunately," Belinda replied. "But, as a child of the House of Black, you may enter." The portrait opened to reveal a small door behind it, which Regulus enthusiastically opened, beckoning Dora to follow him.
"I had no idea this was up here," Dora wondered aloud.
"You've only stayed here a few days, haven't you?" Regulus asked.
"Err, yes," Dora said nervously, as she looked around her. "Is this the attic?"
"A secret attic," Regulus smiled. "Only those with Black family blood can enter, so you're definitely related to me."
"What's so special about this room?" Dora wondered aloud.
"Books," Regulus whispered. "Ones that were supposed to have been written by Muggles, but they were really wizards."
"Shakespeare? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?" Dora asked, as Regulus excitedly nodded.
"All their works are up here," Regulus said.
"Why aren't they kept in the library if they were written by wizards posing as Muggles?"
"I'm not sure," Regulus said, scratching his head. "D'you think they weren't wizards?"
"Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle definitely were," Dora said. "Not sure about the others." She looked through some of the spines and saw familiar names – Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, and even J.R.R. Tolkien.
"Some of these were definitely Muggles," Dora said. "Tolkien and Lewis especially."
"Why did Mother and Father say they were wizards?" Regulus looked horrified.
"Probably so that it would be acceptable to keep them in the house, Regulus," Dora said. "But they keep them up here so no one else will know."
"A Muggle wrote The Hobbit?"
"Yeah," Dora said. "I really thought you'd know."
"Do you think my parents have lied about other things, Dora?" Regulus' eyes were wide and curious.
"If they're willing to lie about book authors and whether or not they're Muggles, just imagine what else they're willing to lie about," Dora said bitterly.
Regulus was quiet for several moments as he passed his fingers along the spines of what appeared to be his favorite books.
"Maybe you're right," he said softly.
"Think on it, Reg," Dora said kindly. "Maybe you'll be surprised."
…..
19 November 1971
"He's quite taken with you, Dora," said Al. He was pouring tea for Tonks.
"Who, Regulus?" asked Dora. "Poor kid has no one. He had Sirius the last ten years but Sirius being sorted into Gryffindor has put a huge strain on their relationship. Lad misses his brother."
"Exactly," said Al. "I was hoping Walburga and Orion would take you in. Dumbledore thinks you could help manage the tempers when Sirius is home."
Tonks snorted. "Fat chance. The Sirius I knew in my timeline could barely keep his rage under control."
"How are your etiquette lessons coming along?" inquired Al.
"Awful," replied Dora. "I hate them. No wonder my mum ran off. She tried to teach me some of this stuff but I'm dead clumsy. I've broken so many of their teacups in the last few days. Walburga is furious."
"Is she treating you kindly?" asked Al, sharply.
"About what I expected, honestly," Tonks admitted. "She's always going off about pureblood nonsense and how I'm already staining the Black family name. She very kindly reminded me that since I'm not an heir like Sirius or Regulus, I don't matter as much. After the fifth broken teacup, she threatened that if Sirius and I keep disappointing her, she'll have us marry each other as punishment and make Regulus the true heir." Tonks laughed loudly. "Sirius would never marry his cousin."
Al looked thoughtful. "It would benefit Sirius if I agreed to an informal betrothal. Walburga and Orion would approve the match, and it would ensure some stability for Sirius."
"You can't be serious, Father," snorted Tonks.
"It would only be for appearances, until you both leave Hogwarts."
"Fine," Tonks agreed. "When Sirius and I talk next, we'll make sure he knows to play along."
"You'll have to be patient, then," Al commented. "After the Howlers, no one expects Sirius home until the summer holidays."
"Unless he has a new cousin begging for him to come home?" Dora dared.
"It would be highly improper for you to write him without a proper introduction," Al countered. "I will write to him, and if he is willing, he will come home."
"Are you any good with dueling, Father?" asked Dora. "I could use the practice."
"If you're an Auror, I'd be a rubbish match for you," mused Al. "I'll see if Dumbledore knows anyone."
Satisfied, Dora curled back into the armchair, happy to have a day without worrying about proper etiquette or pureblood manners. She sat back and began a lengthy report for Alphard to turn over to Dumbledore, eager to have tidbits of information to offer him on suspicious persons supporting Voldemort.
…..
3 December 1971
"Protego!" Tonks shouted. She ran around the corner, expecting Moody at her next turn. The two had been dueling for nearly three hours. She was exhausted and exhilarated. She missed practice dueling with her mentor. Dumbledore had arranged for Moody to visit with her every two weeks to keep up her dueling skills. While not as much as she hoped for, it was desperately needed practice.
A stunner finally landed on Tonks and she fell against the wall behind her. "You win, Moody! I give up!" Tonks was sweating profusely.
"Death Eaters never give up, girl," growled Moody. "Fine work for your first afternoon of dueling with me, especially given your height."
Tonks had decided to practice dueling in her 11 year old morph. While she could tell Moody was uncomfortable at first, fighting what looked like a child, her dueling skills caught up with him and she thought he was beginning to enjoy himself.
Panting and sweating, Moody lifted Tonks back up on her feet. He cast healing spells on her, and she stood back up, pleased with her efforts.
"See you in two weeks?" asked Tonks, still panting.
Moody nodded and offered his arm to side-along apparate her back to Al's flat.
Tonks burst through the door, smiling widely. "Did you miss me, Father?" she called. She looked into the drawing room and was surprised to see Bellatrix in the sitting room, apparently waiting for her. Tonks felt very self-conscious, and glad she had stowed her wand before Bellatrix could see it.
"Where have you been, young lady?" Bellatrix demanded. In the moment, Bellatrix looked so much like Andromeda as she scolded Tonks. Tonks' heart panged a bit for her own mother.
"Father permitted me to enjoy exercise in the nearby park, Cousin Bellatrix," Tonks explained. "I enjoyed more exercise in America with Mother."
"You are no longer in America," Bellatrix sneered, "and your Mother is no longer present to indulge your childish urges." Wow, she's awful to children too, Tonks thought. Who would've thought?
"This is the first time Father has permitted me an outing, Cousin," Tonks said, as evenly as she could.
"We had best hope it is the last," Bellatrix spat. "You should not be associating with the filth out in the park."
"May I ask the reason for your visit today, Cousin?" asked Tonks, innocently. By filth, she means Muggles, doesn't she?
"I am here to impart Black family wisdom, from one Black cousin to another," Bellatrix replied. "Sit."
Tonks reluctantly sat in the armchair across from Bellatrix. Where was Al?
"Was your mother a pureblood?" Bellatrix asked.
"Yes," Tonks replied. "Father would never have entertained anyone but a pureblooded woman. I intend to wed a pureblood as well. Aunt Walburga has suggested my cousin Sirius, although I have yet to meet him."
"Sirius is effectively a blood traitor," Bellatrix sneered. "You wouldn't want to consort with him."
"I see."
"Have you read much on Black family history?"
"I am working on memorizing the family tree, less the blood traitors," Tonks explained. "If that's what you mean."
"You know where our family belongs, then?" Bellatrix alleged. "Which sort we should be associating with?"
"Aunt Walburga assures me that if I am sorted into Slytherin House I will find plenty of acceptable company in my House," Tonks said, flatly.
"You must discriminate, young Cousin," argued Bellatrix. "Even in Slytherin House, unworthy half-bloods reside."
"I see."
"My husband and his friends dream of a better world for wizards, young Cousin," observed Bellatrix. "One would hope, that as a Black, you would care for your family."
"Of course I do," Tonks said. This much was true.
"Then, as a piece of advice from one cousin to another: do not disgrace our family further," Bellatrix warned. "Exercise is unbecoming now that you are a young woman. If you insist upon such – excursions – your cousin Regulus would be suitable company."
"Yes, Cousin," Tonks agreed. "Regulus is fine company indeed."
…..
8 December 1971
"Are you looking forward to Hogwarts, Regulus?" asked Dora. She had been spending nearly all her days in the boy's company, and she found Regulus to be a kind, if timid, boy. She could hardly believe this sweet boy would grow up to become a Death Eater.
"I suppose," Regulus sighed. "It will be nice to learn magic."
"You suppose?" asked Dora, incredulously. "I can't wait till I go to Hogwarts!"
"I'm afraid of being sorted into the wrong House, Dora," Regulus admitted, quietly. "Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor. I've never seen Mother so angry. I don't want her to be cross with me."
"He couldn't really decide where he was sorted, Reg," Dora lied. "The Sorting Hat chooses for you." And takes your choice into account, but now is not the time to mention that.
"What if I am sorted into the wrong House?" Regulus worried.
"Then Aunt Walburga will have more options to marry me off," chuckled Dora. "My Grandfather Scamander was a Hufflepuff and I think I take after him, so I'm sure Aunt Walburga will be as cross with me as with Sirius for breaking the Black family tradition." Tonks rolled her eyes. "At least Sirius isn't the first, and I might not be the last," Tonks said, smiling.
"It's different with you, Dora," Regulus said. "Mother won't want Sirius as the heir if he continues with his behavior. I don't want to be the heir." He put his face in his hands, bent over in worry. He paused for a moment, and looked up to Tonks.
"Did you say your Grandfather was a Scamander?" he asked, incredulous. "The one who wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?"
"The very same," Dora said, beaming. "My mother was the late Rosemary Scamander."
"Wow," Regulus breathed. "No wonder Grandfather Pollux and Grandmother Irma like you," he said. "You have strong connections."
Dora snorted. "They like me? Every time I have tea with them I trip over myself and get an earful out of Grandmother Irma. Grandfather Pollux glares at me. I hardly call that liking me."
"If they didn't like you, you wouldn't be here," Regulus deadpanned. "You would never have made it past the front door."
"Huh."
"You're on the family tapestry now, you know," Regulus said. "Have you seen it?"
Dora had seen the tapestry in her own time, after several of the Black family members had been blasted off. She chose to feign innocence, and told Regulus that she had not seen it.
"Come with me," Regulus said, offering his arm to Dora. He led her downstairs to the smaller drawing room that held the family tapestry.
Tonks looked for Pandora's name and found it gold and gleaming beneath Alphard's. In the spot where her own name would have been, in her original timeline, there was nothing but a charred spot where Andromeda's name had been.
"What happened here?" Dora asked softly, pointing to the spot where Andromeda's name should have been.
"My Cousin ran off with a Mudblood," Regulus said, briskly. "She was removed from the tree."
"Is that so terrible?"
"It is if you're a Black."
"Oh."
A soft pop broke the silence. Kreacher appeared before Tonks and Regulus, bowing deeply.
"Master Regulus and Miss Dora are requested in the dining room," Kreacher croaked.
"Thank you, Kreacher," said Regulus. He offered his arm to Tonks and they walked towards the dining room.
Dora and Regulus arrived in the dining room to find Walburga, Orion, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Druella, and Cygnus, and her grandparents waiting for them. Tonks gritted her teeth. She hated dinners with so many of them. It was effectively a pureblood propaganda party, and Tonks hated every minute spent with the blood supremacists.
Regulus helped Dora to her seat, pulling it out for her. Tonks detested the etiquette that came with being a pureblood family, but swallowed it all for the sake of spying for the Order.
"The Malfoys have invited us to their annual Winter Gala," Orion announced. "It will be a fine occasion for our families, now that Narcissa is betrothed to Lucius. Pandora ought to be introduced properly."
Tonks scowled at her plate. She had never been to Malfoy Manor, even though Narcissa was her aunt. She only had unpleasant run-ins with her uncle, Lucius, and had never met her cousin, Draco. This time, she would be meeting Narcissa and Lucius as betrothed teenagers.
"Will Sirius be joining us?" barked Pollux. "The whelp ought to show his face as the Black heir."
"Sirius has not written to inform us of his plans," countered Walburga. "I will make it known to him that his absence will be most unacceptable."
Several minutes of silence followed, until Druella broke it. "The blood traitor produced a female brat," she observed. "With the Mudblood."
Growls, hisses, and snarls escaped the mouths of those seated at the table. For all their pureblood antics, they act like animals, thought Dora.
"A half-blood abomination?" Bellatrix growled, her face turning red with rage. "That is no niece of mine." Oh, Dora realized. They were talking about her-as-Nymphadora.
"When the Dark Lord's plans are achieved," Bellatrix continued, "that brat and her Mudblood father will regret having ever been born." Bellatrix glowered, and Dora was beginning to see her aunt becoming unhinged. Dora stared intently at the plate in front of her, biting her tongue firmly to keep from shouting at her aunt.
"Calm yourself, Bellatrix," drawled Cygnus. "Your sister Narcissa has made a far finer choice in Lucius. They will produce a suitable child who will be worthy to call you Aunt."
Bellatrix was mollified with this prospect, and she switched the subject to more pureblood propaganda. Tonks could only pick at the remains on her plate, willing the rest of the dinner to pass as quickly as possible. This mission would be a long one indeed.