Hey guys, sorry for waiting so long between updates but I'm not abandoning anything I'm just slow and busy!

Also just a quick note that I realize the middle section of this chapter feels clunky but I for some reason couldn't make it work 100% and really wanted to update today so I might go back and fix it later.

Without further delay, I hope you enjoy :)

Tonks made her way through the Ministry to the Auror department, her mood having diminished from the excitement and happiness of earlier. She had no idea what could be so important that she needed to be owled on her day off, she had specifically requested this day with an excuse about a family event, nut had more than made up for it by working extra hard on anything that was sent her way for the past two weeks.

She had been so completely looking forward to spending the day with Hermione, she hadn't seen her girlfriend face to face she she'd gone back to Hogwarts and now their chance to have some quality time together was rudely taken away.

She entered the Auror department, not paying attention to anything around her as she headed straight for Scrimgeour's office. She knocked on the door, only just managing to stop herself from charging into the room. Hearing the call to enter, she opened the door and stood facing her boss.

"Take a seat Tonks" the man gestured tiredly to the chair opposite him.

Tonks sat, managing to sound as casual and frustrated as possible as she spoke "What's so urgent?"

The older man sighed, "Baxter is in St Mungo's."

"He's what!?"

"Lower you're voice Miss Tonks or I will dismiss you" he threatened as they both became agitated.

She could see her hair turning red from the corner of her eye but managed to level out her voice before replying, "what happened?"

"He was out on the job with Kingsley and they were severely outnumbered, he's currently unconscious and Dawlish is there waiting for him to wake up."

The young witch's hands were balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She knew something like this would happen but he wouldn't listen, Baxter was just a kid still training and learning. All of this because Scrimgeour had something against her, she had half a mind to walk out of the office right then and there.

"So why was I called in?" she couldn't help but ask.

"I need you to go with Kingsley and whoever else from the department is free and track down the wizards who attacked him and Baxter. Also note that I do not expect you to come back empty handed, I want results and at least one in custody before seeing your face around the office again."

With her nails still dug into her palms she could feel the blood begin to trickle down, she hadn't said their faces, no that comment had been for her specifically. She stood, eager to leave the room and be done with him.

"Sir" she nodded her understanding to him, as she reached for the door handle he spoke up again.

"I mean it Miss Tonks, even if it takes days, I don't want you here without results."

Without so much as confirmation that she'd heard him, she left, making her way out of the ministry and to Grimmauld Place as quickly as possible.

After a quick stop off at Grimmauld Place so they could change, Laura and Carmilla made their way to restaurant where Laura had made reservations.

It was a small secluded restaurant in the seaside village of Tinworth, Bill had recommended it to Laura last time he'd been round discussing the Order. She'd been very thankful of the suggestion since she didn't really know many wizarding places to go, though she was certain Carm would be fine with a muggle restaurant she wanted somewhere where their magic would be usable.

From the outside it looked like a regular cottage blending in with the surrounding homes so no muggles would think twice about passing it by. The two witches arrived outside by side along apparition, both smiling as they looked at the building in front of them. A small amount of light poured from the windows giving the entire place an inviting glow.

Carmilla took the shorter witches hand before leading her into the building. The inside was warmly decorated, not too posh but nice enough that you would go wearing the ripped jeans and t-shit Carmilla had on earlier in the day. There was a homely feeling about the atmosphere as they stood by the entrance waiting to be seated.

One of the waiters made his way over to the two witches, "hello, do you have a reservation?"

"Yeah, it should be under Hollis" Laura answered.

"Ah yes, table for two, follow me please" the young man smiled at the pair.

They followed him to a secluded table near to the back of the small room where they sat to ponder the menus handed to them. Laura took her time to look around the place, there was only a dozen tables adding to the cosy feel of the place, she was glad she had taken Bill's advice to come here. It was private feeling, with barely anyone to stare or pester them about the amount of affection they usually show in public.

Carmilla reached over to her girlfriend, linking their hands on the table while she decided between the risotto and the ravioli. Laura grinned widely at their joined hands, she adored when they could have this time together, just the two of them enjoying a normal date with no Order, no dark wizards, and no war to worry about.

"You okay cupcake?" Carmilla asked with her eyebrow raised and a smirk on her lips.

"I'm perfect" Laura beamed at her.

"Yes you are" the Ravenclaw smirked at the blush rising up her girlfriends face.

She brought the Gryffindors hand to her lips, pressing the softest kiss to the back as the waiter came to take their order. Yeah, this would be a good night.

Tonks arrived back at Grimmauld Place full of rage at her boss, she needed to calm down, needed a level head to keep from making stupid mistakes. Maybe if she talked to Madeye and vented out her frustration she could take a step back and think of her next move regarding work.

Entering the kitchen, she found Madeye, Sirius and Remus discussing something written on parchment strewn across the table. They looked up hearing the new comer enter the room, each of them greeting her as she haplessly dropped into one of the kitchen chair beside them.

"What's with the scowl girl" Madeye grumbled, his magical eye whizzing around in its socket.

"Some trouble at work I want to talk to you about" she looked at the other two men sat at the table, "alone preferably."

Sirius raised his hands showing he wouldn't put up a fight even though it was his home. Remus on the other hand looked quizzical, like he wasn't going to go without having some questions answered. Tonks shot him a glare when he made no move to leave while Sirius had stood up and was waiting on him.

"What happened Tonks?" the former Professor asked.

Before she could speak though Madeye jumped in, "just speak with them here lass, it does no good for us to keep secrets amongst ourselves."

She grit her teeth before sighing and accepting the fact that they weren't going anywhere, she recounted what had happened once she'd arrived at the Ministry, making sure to narrate her anger and distain at Scrimgeour's comments as she went. She went on a particularly long side track about how she knew it was a bad idea and had tried to warn him before but he wouldn't listen to her. When she was done she took a second to breathe deeply, and calm herself down, she'd gotten riled up again throughout her retelling and needed her hair to go back to its normal colour.

"So, what do you want to do about it?" Remus asked her.

She sighed "I don't know, I love my job but I can't work with that man."

"Well while it's ridiculously good for us that you can keep tabs at the Ministry and we all know how much you love your job, don't feel like you need to keep working there right now, once all of this is over you can go back and start again. I'd rather you weren't under so much stress right now, we need you at your best Tonks" Sirius told her honestly with the fondness for his cousin shining in his eyes.

"I'll think about it" she told them knowing it couldn't be a hasty split-second decision, "I can't go back without results