Chapter 8
A lot had changed in the space of 15 years. Tonks had completed her 13 years of Auror training, and Snape had been a Death Eater, not been a Death Eater, and had taught the famous Harry Potter.
Everyone had arrived a day after Dumbledore had set up the Order of the Phoenix. It was a meeting, in which Snape stood at the front with maps and the like. Harry wasn't there yet, but the Weasleys and Hermione were, fed up about not being allowed to the meetings. There was a knock on the door. Growling with anger, Snape opened it.
She was prettier than she had ever been with blue eyes and her blonde hair tied up into a buisiness-like bun. "Severus. . ." she said, more calmly than she felt.
"Miss. Tonks." So it was back to this. She was no longer Tonks to him, but held a 'miss' at the beginning of her name. "You're late."
"I know. I got held up at the ministry. . ."
"The meeting's started. Come in." Tonks smiled slightly, took off her dripping wet coat, and walked into the dining room. Molly greeted her warmly.
"Hello dear! I'm Molly Weasley. Would you like to sit down?" Tonks nodded and sat in-between Molly and Sirius, looking at him weirdly. She shrugged, and watched what was going on.
"Finally! The nightmare ends!" Tonks joked to Charlie, yawning out of boredom as the meeting finished.
"Yeah. Do you remember Professor McElroy?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah! And when there was any loud noise his nose twitched! That was so funny."
"You know, they don't even have Christmas ball anymore!"
"You're joking? Hogwarts Christmas balls were the best. I believe I went with you in our seventh year?"
"You would be right there Tonks. How are you now anyway?"
"I'm fine thanks. The Auror training takes a lot out of you."
"I can imagine that. . ." At that moment, Tonks swiped the glass of water off the table.
"Oh dammit! I never used to be this klutzy! I'm sorry!"
"It's okay. I'll take care of it," Charlie said. With a wave of his wand the water was out of the floor.
"What was that?" Molly asked, panicking.
"It was me, Mrs. Weasley. . . sorry. . ." Tonks said meekly.
"That's fine. You've cleared the mess up then. . . Tonks, in about three weeks would you go and pick Harry up?"
"Oh! Sure! That's something I can do!"
"Good, good. And Charlie, the twins are making a lot of noise, you wouldn't go and see what's up would you?"
"Sure mum," Charlie agreed.
"I'll go with you. I haven't met everyone yet," Tonks and Charlie walked up the stairs.
They trooped into the twin's room. "What's up with the noise?" Charlie asked. "Mum's gonna have a fit! What with Percy. . ."
"Don't mention that name in front of me! That boy does not exist and is not part of my life!" Fred growled.
"All right, all right. Just keep it down. By the way, this is Tonks."
"Ohh! Has my bwig bwother got a girlfriend?" George asked in a child-like manner.
"Actually, George. She's one of my old friends from school and a member of the Order, so you can keep that," Charlie indicated to his mouth, "quiet."