16 December 1971
Dora sat up in her bed at Grimmauld Place, exhausted. She had been practicing wandless and non-verbal magic all evening. Ever since Dumbledore had written that she may not be able to carry her wand into precarious social situations, especially before she was admitted to Hogwarts, Tonks tried to prepare herself for the possibility that she may have to protect herself against Death Eaters without her most valuable tool.
It took far more effort than she cared to admit to maintain so many spells. She had successfully cast all the basic charms and spells she'd learned in her first few years at Hogwarts, from her original timeline, but the more complex hexes and spells were harder to replicate without a dueling partner.
Sweating, she gave up for the night and turned in, waiting for the next dueling practice with Moody the next day. Hopefully by the Malfoy Winter Gala she would have enough practice to get by in a room full of blood supremacists.
…
22 December 1971
"Sirius is coming home today, Dora!" said Regulus, excitedly. It warmed Dora's heart to see Regulus so joyful. She was looking forward to seeing Sirius and Regulus as loving brothers before they were torn apart by opposing ideologies.
"I can't wait to see him," said Dora, truthfully. It had been weeks, to her, since she had seen her favorite cousin, even if he was going to appear as a first year to her.
Kreacher popped into the room and bowed in greeting. "Master Regulus and Miss Dora are requested in the drawing room," he announced, and with a snap of his fingers, he was gone.
"That must mean Sirius is almost home!" Regulus shouted. He grabbed Dora's hand and ran down the stairs with her to the drawing room. They entered, slightly breathless, to find Orion waiting for them. He nodded in greeting to the two children, and they both sat down on a settee waiting for Walburga to arrive with Sirius through the Floo.
Regulus was fidgeting with excitement next to Dora, and she could barely contain her own excitement. A few moments later, the flames in the fireplace shone green, and Walburga stepped out with a disheveled Sirius Black. Regulus, Dora, and Orion stood to greet him.
Sirius' face was flushed red; Dora wasn't able to tell if it was from the cold at King's Cross station or if Walburga had slapped him. Bitterly, she thought the latter was more likely.
Sirius' face lit up when he saw Regulus and Dora. "Mind your manners, boy," muttered Walburga to Sirius. He strode confidently to Regulus and nodded at him with a firm handshake.
Sirius turned to face Dora and beamed at her. He bowed, she curtsied, and he kissed her knuckles.
"Sirius, this is your cousin, Pandora," intoned Orion. "You may call her Dora. She is your Uncle Alphard's daughter."
"Uncle Al had a kid?" Sirius asked. "How come no one told me?"
"If you bothered to open the letters we sent you, this would not have been a surprise," sneered Walburga. "Kreacher!" she called. The old house elf narrowed his eyes upon seeing Sirius, but bowed to him all the same.
"Yes, Mistress?"
"Bring Sirius' things to his room and ensure he is properly dressed before dinner," ordered Walburga.
"Certainly, Mistress," Kreacher agreed, and bowed before leaving with Sirius' things.
"Kreacher will fetch you when it is time for dinner. Your mother and I have matters to discuss," droned Orion. He stood up and left with Walburga, leaving the three children in the drawing room.
As soon as the adults were out of earshot and eyeshot, Regulus and Sirius hugged tightly. Dora's eyes watered at the sight. Despite older Sirius' insistence over disagreements with his younger brother, the sight of the brothers embracing was touching. She vowed to try to help them bridge the distance before Sirius lost Regulus forever.
Sirius forgot momentarily that Dora was in the room. He looked her up and down and finally said, "She looks like me...and Andromeda."
"Black family resemblance," commented Dora. She prided herself on being able to hold the morph of a Black for so long. She felt lucky that she had a good head start having Andromeda as her mother.
"You're really Uncle Al's kid?" asked Sirius. He looked pensive. "I thought he was bent?"
Regulus blushed, and Dora laughed. Though she knew the truth about her Uncle Al, she had the grace to keep her composure, as she was unsure if he had shared the true nature of his relationship with Titus with the family.
"Father never married," Dora explained. "I was raised by my mum in America before she passed away."
"Who was your mum?" asked Sirius, sharply. "Not that it matters who, you know, she was related to…"
"My mum was Rosemary Scamander."
"Related to Newt Scamander?" Sirius asked, disbelief on his face.
"The very same. Newt is my grandfather," Dora grinned. "He was a Hufflepuff, you know, and wanted me to go to Hogwarts, so he sent me to live with Father after mum died. I was down for Ilvermorny like mum and Grandmother Tina, but Grandfather Newt thought I would enjoy being at Hogwarts. I start next fall."
"Wicked," Sirius breathed. "You must know a ton about magical creatures."
"I do!" Dora smiled. "I've been begging Father and Grandfather Newt for a familiar for Christmas, but Aunt Walburga seems unwilling to allow me one."
"How can she say no if your familiar comes from Newt Scamander of all people?" Sirius asked, incredulously.
"You know how Mother is," Regulus argued. "After your Sorting, she's been in a right state. Making sure Dora here knows proper pureblood etiquette is the only thing keeping her from hexing Father and I into oblivion."
"Etiquette lessons?" Sirius asked. "You're not a pureblood?"
"I am," replied Tonks. "But Mother was raised in America, so I'm not educated in British pureblood etiquette. I hate it. I dunno how you and Reg made it this far." Tonks scowled at the boys. "If I hear one more time that I'm an undignified swine, I swear on my magic I will turn my nose into a pig's."
Sirius and Regulus laughed at the idea. If only they knew she could actually do that.
"Once you get to Hogwarts, it's much easier," assured Sirius. "Think you'll be a Gryffindor like me?" He boasted. "First Black not to be in Slytherin for centuries." He puffed out his chest.
Tonks laughed, and said, "No, I think I'd rather be a Hufflepuff like Grandfather Newt."
"Hufflepuff?" Sirius and Regulus asked, in unison.
"I'd rather be a Hufflepuff than a Slytherin," explained Dora.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"No one suspects a Hufflepuff," Dora smiled, winking at them.
"That might be the most Slytherin thing I've ever heard," Sirius said. "No way you'll be a Hufflepuff."
"We'll see, shan't we?" Dora smiled coyly.
At that, Kreacher popped back into the drawing room and told them they were wanted for dinner in the dining room. Reluctantly, the three children left the safety of their own company to dine with Walburga and Orion.
….
24 December 1971
Dora stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself clad in expensive, gaudy winter robes. It was the evening of the Malfoys' Winter Gala, and she was being presented for the first time to the Malfoy family as a new Black cousin. Her entire extended family was expected at the Gala, along with various families she knew were sympathetic to Voldemort's cause. It was a major night for reconnaissance, and she intended on using her Auror investigative skills to good use.
Aunt Walburga had provided her with the robes and lent her delicate jewels to wear. Tonks had discreetly cast various anti-curse charms on the jewels, before touching them, just in case. She kept her wand hidden in the folds of her robe for the evening. As no one but Al, Dumbledore, and Moody knew she kept her wand on her person at all times, she felt compelled to hide it, especially when entering a veritable mob of Death Eaters. She intended on using it only in an emergency. Her last training session with Moody had been draining once she told him she wanted to practice wandless and nonverbal magic. She felt more confident in her skills, but only just barely.
A soft rap at the door stopped her thoughts in their tracks. She strode across the guest room that was now hers at Grimmauld Place, and opened the door to find Sirius dressed elegantly in dress robes.
"Don't you look dapper!" Dora gushed. "Very handsome, if I say so myself."
Sirius blushed and grimaced at once. "You look lovely, Dora, but I hate these robes," he lamented. "Take a good look, because I only wear these drapes on the rarest occasions." He sighed and asked, "Can I escort you downstairs?"
"Of course, Sirius," Dora said, taking Sirius' offered arm. They came downstairs and found Regulus, Walburga, Al, and Orion waiting for them.
"Ready?" Al whispered to Dora, as she joined him by his side.
"As I'll ever be," Dora confirmed. With a few gulps, she strode over to the fireplace and followed Sirius and Regulus to Malfoy Manor.
Dora was lucky Sirius and Regulus had arrived before she had, because she nearly fell flat on her face in the drawing room at Malfoy Manor. Luckily, Regulus had grown accustomed to Tonks' clumsiness and had been waiting for her fall before she had arrived. Sirius barked a laugh before helping Tonks get back on her feet.
"Clumsy, are we?" Sirius sniggered.
"Har har," Dora chortled. "You haven't seen anything yet."
The fireplace flashed emerald again and Walburga, Al, and Orion stepped out of the Floo. House elves were waiting for the Blacks and escorted them to the grand ballroom.
Dora's jaw dropped when she entered the ballroom. It was exquisitely decorated, far more lavish than anything she had ever seen at Hogwarts. It was as if winter itself had settled into the ballroom. Fairies flitted about, enchanted snow fell from the ceiling, and snowy pine trees covered the perimeter of the room. The entire ballroom was filled with the most finely dressed witches and wizards Dora had ever seen. If she hadn't known that most of them were blood supremacists, she might have been impressed.
"Orion, Alphard, Walburga," a deep voice called. "So very glad you and your families could join us."
The adults greeted one another before introducing the children.
Orion stepped forward first, and said, "Abraxas, you'll remember my sons, Sirius, and Regulus." Sirius and Regulus bowed dutifully before Abraxas Malfoy. Abraxas eyed both of them carefully, gaze lingering on Sirius. No doubt he'd heard of Sirius' "treacherous" Sorting into Gryffindor House.
Alphard now stepped forward, gently guiding Dora to his side. "Abraxas, I am pleased to introduce my daughter, Pandora Black." Dora curtsied, and Abraxas took her hand in his to kiss her knuckles. She loathed the tradition, particularly when older men such as Abraxas sported such lecherous looks in their eyes.
"I had heard you reconnected with your daughter, Alphard," commented Abraxas. "She is related to the Scamanders, no?"
"Newt Scamander is her maternal grandfather," Alphard confirmed. "Her mother was a pureblood American witch, Rosemary Scamander."
"Very well," Abraxas agreed. "With her pedigree, we ought to expect great things from your daughter."
Pedigree? Am I some sort of dog? Dora thought. More like broodmare to these bloody morons.
"Her magic is remarkably controlled and advanced for her age," Alphard stated, proudly. "I am quite pleased with her abilities." Dora felt a lead lump in her stomach again. What was he doing?
"Is that so?" Abraxas' brow furrowed. "Care to demonstrate your skills, Miss Black?"
Alphard winked at Tonks, and she agreed, "Of course, Mr. Malfoy."
Dora concentrated and held out her palms together. She thought the incantation, and conjured small blue flames in her hands. They were well controlled, as she expected. When Hermione was grown, Tonks would have to thank her for the little spell. Dora grew and shrank the flames in her palms for a few moments, until she spread her palms apart and the flames disappeared.
"Remarkable," said Abraxas, clearly impressed with the young witch. "Absolutely remarkable power for such a young witch. This is proof of the strength of pureblood pedigree."
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Abraxas," Alphard admitted.
"I am very pleased that such power will be joined to our family through Narcissa, particularly after the loss of her sister," Abraxas said, a glint in his eyes.
"Yes, the loss of our older niece was a tragedy," Walburga bemoaned, "though we have gained a far better prize in our younger niece, Dora."
They spoke about her mother as if she was dead. Tonks quelled the anger growing in her heart for what she expected wouldn't be the last time for the evening.
"Alphard, will you join me in introducing your talented daughter to the family?" Abraxas asked.
"But of course, Brax," Al agreed. "Come, Dora."
Dora followed Al, giving a fearful look to Sirius and Regulus, both of whom looked crestfallen that they had been separated. "I'll be back," mouthed Tonks at the boys, before being whipped around to meet hordes of pureblood society.
Dora had demonstrated the fire a few more times to various families, all of whom were impressed with the young witch. They wouldn't be so impressed if they knew I was a 25 year old posing as an 11 year old, she thought, bitterly. She reminded herself that she was still an Auror, albeit in the wrong timeline, and she had more strength than she could show.
After a few rounds of fire, Dora managed to obtain a glass of sparkling cider and quickly drank it so she could use it to transfigure it for others. She was quite proud of being able to wandlessly and wordlessly transfigure the glass into various items and found herself becoming the center of attention in more than one circle.
When she finally had a free moment, she whispered to Al, "What do you mean by making me show off all that magic? I'm trying to observe here."
"If they think you're powerful, they'll be more willing to talk to you," Al explained. "Trust me."
"Fine," agreed Dora. "Thank Merlin you, Sirius, and Regulus are here to keep me from going mad."
The dancing had now begun and Sirius was quick on his feet to ask Tonks to dance. Tonks groaned internally; she had practiced dancing with Regulus many times over the last few weeks but still tripped over herself and Regulus in the process.
Sirius was much smoother on his feet, which surprised Tonks. He whispered, "How are you doing, Dora?"
"Fine, I guess," mumbled Dora. "I hate being paraded around like that."
"I had no idea you were so good at magic," Sirius confessed. "Did your mum teach you all that?"
"Mhm," Dora said, unwilling to commit to any specifics. "I had a lot of practice with my grandparents too."
"You might be Sorted into Ravenclaw," Sirius warned.
"My da-," Dora choked for a moment, coughing slightly from what she assumed was the Unbreakable Vow's constraints. "My granddad's friend was a Ravenclaw, and I don't think I'm cut out for it." She scolded herself for nearly revealing her own father was a Ravenclaw; in her timeline, Ted Tonks had been a Ravenclaw, but Alphard Black had definitely been a Slytherin.
"Stuck on Hufflepuff, huh?" Sirius asked.
"Most definitely," Dora said, smiling. The song ended and Regulus cut in to dance with Dora next. After a slightly rougher time dancing with him, she was surprised to see another boy approach her to dance. She glanced over at Sirius, who glowered at the boy, but Dora's recent etiquette lessons forced her to accept the new boy's hand.
"Miss Black," he said, kissing her knuckles, "we were introduced earlier by your father and my father. If you recall, am Odysseus Goyle. May I have this dance?"
"Certainly, Mr. Goyle," Dora agreed. This one grew up to be a Death Eater, she noted.
As soon as the dance was over, yet another young man came to dance with her, who introduced himself as Atlas Avery. Another Death Eater. Then came Morpheus Mulciber. Death Eater #3. Death Eater #4 arrived in the form of Eryx Crabbe. Death Eater #5 introduced himself as Antonin Dolohov; the very sight of him made Dora nearly throw up, after seeing him so recently as an Azkaban escapee.
Would the Death Eaters never end? It was unsettling for Tonks to dance with so many young Death Eaters. They were all still Hogwarts students, based on their awkward, gangly frames. They were merely adolescent boys buying into their parents' prejudiced views. If she had any evidence they all believed otherwise, she might have been flattered with all the attention, rather than the clear competition to woo her before she was betrothed to someone else.
Luckily, Sirius cut in for a dance before Death Eater #5 came to the scene. (Sirius mentioned it was Orpheus Nott, son of Cantankerous Nott.)
"Quite popular this evening, eh, cousin?" Sirius asked.
"I've never had this much attention from boys in my life," Dora acknowledged. "I honestly don't know what to make of it."
"After all those little stunts of magic, I heard Mother and Father speaking to a lot of very interested parents seeking an early betrothal agreement," Sirius admitted.
"I'm eleven," Dora insisted. "An 11 year old doesn't need a betrothal agreement," she hissed.
"You've proved to be a powerful pureblood witch," Sirius shrugged, twirling her in the dance. "Any one of these families would be proud to connect themselves with you and the Scamanders."
"Ugh," Dora spat. "I don't want to be married to be some pureblood broodmare. I want to love who I marry." Dora thought back to Remus. She would see him next year at school, she knew. How on earth would she be able to be with him at this rate?
"Love isn't a guarantee, Dora," Sirius said, gently. "Did you hear what happened with Andromeda?" He had a sad look on his face.
"She was blasted off the tree for marrying a Muggleborn," Dora whispered. "They act like she's dead. It just doesn't seem fair." Sirius eyed her quizzically. Dora realized she hadn't actually told Sirius that she didn't harbor the same prejudiced views the family seemed to boast about.
"To them, she may as well be," Sirius admitted. "Andromeda was my favorite cousin and now I don't know if I'll ever see her again."
"I'm sure you'll find a way, Sirius," Dora assured him. "I heard she had a baby, you know."
"'Dromeda had a baby?" Sirius smiled. "Can't wait to meet him and show him there are cool Blacks."
"Her," corrected Dora. "She had a baby girl." Dora smiled, thinking of herself as a small bundle in her tired mother's arms at the hospital just weeks prior.
"I hope I get to meet her one day," Sirius said.
"You will," Dora promised. "I'm sure we can make it happen." The song was nearly ending, and Dora tensed.
"Before I get dragged into another dance with another pureblood prick," Dora murmured, "do you mind escorting me to get something to drink? I can't keep dancing."
Sirius' eyebrows went up at Dora's language. "I know, colorful language," Dora admitted, "but I really needed your attention." Sirius held out his arm and took Dora to get another cider so she could rest for a few minutes.
"Dora, my dear," a familiar voice drawled. "I would like to introduce you to someone." Tonks turned around to see Pollux and Cygnus waiting for her.
"Yes, Grandfather," Dora agreed. "May Sirius join us?"
Pollux glared at Sirius, and said, "No, Sirius ought to remain here with his brother." Dora's face fell, but she knew better than to refuse her grandfather's order.
"Of course, Grandfather," Dora said in a small voice. "I will be glad to meet another fine witch or wizard."
"The finest," Cygnus said, offering his arm to her. "Quite possibly the greatest wizard in our world in centuries."
Dora started to panic. They couldn't possibly be talking about Dumbledore. She was now flanked by both her mother's father and Sirius' grandfather and they were walking down a corridor in Malfoy Manor. Tonks felt a chill run down her spine as they approached the end of the corridor.
Cygnus rapped at the door and Abraxas' voice called, "Enter."
Upon entering an opulent drawing room, Tonks found herself in the company of faces that terrified her. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Abraxas and Lucius Malfoy, and a man whose face was almost handsome, yet inhumanly disfigured. His eyes had a red glint to them and his nose wasn't quite slit-like, but it certainly didn't appear fully human. For all she had ever heard of the man, she had never found herself face-to-face with him. This had to be Lord Voldemort. Dora forced herself to breathe to avoid falling over.
"Welcome, Miss Black," said Abraxas. "We were hoping to introduce you to one of the greatest wizards of all time."
Dora nodded, absolutely terrified of the company she now shared. Her hand twitched towards her wand, and she remembered to put up as many mental blocks as possible in case Voldemort used Legilimency. She was suddenly grateful for the Unbreakable Vow, as Voldemort would not be able to see those memories through Legilimency, unless she intended for him to do so.
Pollux led Dora by the shoulder towards Voldemort. She was nearly shivering with fear, trying her hardest to control her emotions.
Pollux bowed deeply before Voldemort. "My Lord," he said, "this is my granddaughter, Pandora Black. She is the daughter of my son Alphard and the late Rosemary Scamander, making her the granddaughter of Newt Scamander."
Dora curtsied nervously before Voldemort, murmuring, "My Lord." Unlike the others, he did not take her hand, for which she was grateful.
"I heard you are unusually talented for your age, Miss Black," Voldemort spoke. His voice was high, cold, and sent another shiver down her spine.
"Show the Dark Lord what you are capable of," commanded Cygnus.
Dora stilled herself and produced the flames as she had done before. Seeing an empty glass, she took it and transfigured it many times before setting it back down on the tea table. All of her magic was done without a wand or speaking.
"Very impressive, Miss Black," Voldemort praised. Dora felt uncomfortable earning Voldemort's praise. "I would have expected no less of you, given your unusually strong family tree," he declared.
"Thank you," mumbled Dora.
"Very modest, this child," observed Abraxas. "I daresay she will make an excellent addition to the cause when she is older."
"Indeed," Voldemort agreed. He observed Dora and looked into her eyes; she felt the onslaught of him entering her mind. She felt grateful for having basic blocks in her mind to prevent Voldemort from seeing anything too incriminating.
Dances with the various boys, nearly tripping out of the Floo, tea with Alphard, and curious wonder at the Scamanders' front garden all came to the forefront of her mind. She willed the memories of Grimmauld Place, Kreacher, and dinners with the Blacks to stay as prominent as possible in her thoughts, as Voldemort dug deeper into her memories. It cost quite a bit of effort to maintain the mental blocks. She thought she might pass out from the effort, until Voldemort suddenly stopped and Dora let out a sigh of relief. Voldemort invaded her mind again before Dora was ready and thoughts of the Hog's Head came to mind, sitting in the dingy room with a Hufflepuff-embroidered rucksack, visions of the Shrieking Shack, and the soft glow of St. Mungo's, before she realized what was happening and put up another wall. The thoughts transitioned back to laughter with Regulus, meeting the Black family, and amusement at Newt's nifflers. Voldemort released her again, and Dora saw little stars in her periphery. Dumbledore hadn't lied when he said Voldemort was an outstanding Legilimens.
"Very interesting, Miss Black," Voldemort said, a red gleam in his eyes now prominent. "You seem quite predisposed to Occlumency."
Everyone in the room stared at Dora. "Perhaps it is a family trait on my mother's side, my lord," lied Dora. Please believe me, please, please, please. Tonks felt the walls go back up in her mind, despite the headache that now resided there.
"I see you have been to Hogsmeade, Miss Black," Voldemort commented. "Why might that be?"
"When I arrived in England and was settling into my life with Father, the Headmaster assisted me in setting up my education," Dora explained. "I was meant to study at Ilvermorny, as my mother had, but Grandfather Scamander and Father agreed that Hogwarts was the better option. The Headmaster provided the rucksack," she added, hoping he didn't notice the Hufflepuff crest.
"Hogwarts is the best school for magic," Voldemort mused, "even if it is led by a bumbling old fool." Hisses and snarls escaped the lips of those in the room.
"I do not expect you to be sorted into Slytherin House," Voldemort declared. The hisses in the room were replaced by gasps, including one from Tonks. How could he know?
"I sense great loyalty in you, Miss Black," Voldemort continued. "Perhaps you will be Sorted into Hufflepuff, as your grandfather was." Dora gave a small smile. "Be sure to associate with the right sort, Miss Black. I wouldn't want you to question your loyalties, after all," he sneered.
"Yes, my lord," Tonks said, quietly. "I thank you for your guidance."
Pollux cleared his throat. "My lord, may I return my granddaughter to the ballroom? She has been sought after by many wonderful young men. I have high hopes for a fruitful union one day," Pollux professed.
"Yes, let the girl enjoy herself," said Voldemort. "I believe she will be instrumental in producing powerful pureblood heirs for our new world."
Dora nodded and curtsied, not knowing what else she could do. With her heart hammering in her chest, she was led out of the drawing room by Cygnus and back to the lavish ballroom.
Voldemort would be the subject of her nightmares that evening.