Disclaimer - All of these characters belong to the wonderful JK Rowling. I make no money from this. Promise.

-------------------------

Chapter Two – Celeste is Born

Two days later, Tonks found herself at The Poison Arrow, a seedy bar in Knockturn Alley. Severus had told her that he would try to bring Malfoy there tonight, but the rest was up to her.

Tonks planned her appearance carefully. She decided that she wanted to look the opposite of Narcissa. Short where Narcissa was tall; curvy while Narcissa was slim. Tonks chose dark brown wavy hair that fell around her shoulders. As for her outfit, Tonks decided against a robe. Her skirt hit above the knee, and she wore fishnet stockings with knee-high leather boots. Overall, she just didn't want to look like she was trying to attract attention. "An escort," Tonks giggled. "Not a whore." Tonks hoped she would be Malfoy's dream come true tonight. If not, she would simply try another type of girl next week.

She took a small sip of her fire whiskey. She told herself she could only have one. Being a lightweight with alcohol would lead to trouble if she had more than that.

Suddenly she heard Severus' voice. It took every once of her will power not to turn around and give him a sign. They had agreed that he shouldn't know what Tonks would look like. Severus said there were many young witches who tried to get in Malfoy's favor. Severus let her know that he treated all of the women who tried to get with Malfoy with contempt. If he knew that the woman was Tonks, he might behave differently.

She heard the group sit down and took another sip of fire whiskey. Only then did she slowly turn around on her bar stool to take a look at the group. Four men were sitting at the table: Malfoy, Severus, Crabbe and Goyle.

The Auror in her was infuriated. Here were three men wanted by the law and they were enjoying a night out in Knockturn Alley. Gods, she wished she could cast a binding spell on all of them, even Severus to make it look good, and taken them all to Azkaban. Tonks made a mental note to tell the head of the Auror Department that Knockturn Alley should be patrolled more. Calming down, she turned back to her drink. She wanted to be noticed by the group. She grabbed her purse and walked, in what she hoped was in a sexy manner, to the ladies room.

"Merlin, please don't let me fall," she thought to herself, missing her trainers. Tonks avoided heels at all costs, being as clumsy as she was. But the part she was playing demanded it. Luckily it was a chunky heel. Tonks knew she'd never be able to walk on a stiletto.

As she walked by their table, she saw Crabbe and Goyle nudge each other. More importantly, she made a bit of eye contact with Lucius. She met his gaze and then looked down, like she was embarrassed.

The walk to the ladies room seemed to take a lifetime. Finally, she pushed opened the door, praying no one else was inside. To her relief it was empty.

Not wanting to risk being overheard, she thought to herself, "Are you really willing to sleep with Lucius Malfoy tonight?" She knew the answer was yes. Tonks had always considered herself sexually liberated. She had no problems with one-night stands, though it had been a while since her last one. It had been over a year since she had been with another person.

"Even though you had offers," she thought darkly.

She remembered Remus' eager face when he told her he wanted more than friendship from her. Tonks sighed. Remus was such a good person, but when the spark wasn't there, there was nothing she could do.

No, she had been chaste for the past year. In reflection it had been good for her; she pushed herself physically. She had added five pounds of muscle. The workouts had done her a world of good; she was even keeping her balance more, which benefited everyone. Tonks giggled to herself, "Getting laid means broken dishes."

With a sudden shudder she remembered her talk with Albus yesterday. He had actually reached for her hand. "I'm sorry." he said slowly. He still wouldn't look at her. "If there was any other way, I would try to find it. Severus fears her could be found out any day now."

"Then why does he risk it and keep going to the meetings? Why doesn't he just stop going?" Tonks had asked.

"He would be found and killed. Some of the students at Hogwarts, I fear, are in league with their parents. If Severus is found out, he will be killed."

Tonks forced herself back to the present. She had been in the bathroom long enough. She walked confidently back to the bar. As she passed the Death Eater's table, she noted that Lucius' glass was empty.

"Excuse me," she said to a passing waitress, "Could you please deliver a fire whiskey to the blonde gentleman over at that table and put it on my tab?"

"Who should I say it's from?" the witch growled.

Tonks thought carefully. "An admirer," she decided. The waitress went to pour the drink. Perfect, Tonks thought, this allows him to make the next move. He'll like that.

Tonks watched the witch, but then turned her back to her drink as the witch approached his table. She overheard the witch say, "From the witch at the bar. She calls herself an admirer." Tonks turned and faced his table. Her eyes met Malfoy's, but this time she did not look away. She smiled gently and raised her own glass of fire whiskey in a silent toast. Tonks then turned back around and faced the bar. She would make no other move to him, if she did, it would be a sign of weakness.

For twenty minutes, she sat in silence, nursing her own drink. Suddenly she heard Malfoy's conceited voice next to her. "Two fire whiskeys," he said to the bartender.

He said nothing else until the drinks were in front of them. "Thank you for the drink," he said at last.

Tonks took a moment before replying, allowing him to get a good look at her face. She was very proud of her face tonight. It was a young face, maybe only twenty years old. A face of an angel, Tonks had called it, but with the eyes of the devil. Tonks could tell he liked what he saw.

She decided to keep things simple and let Malfoy run the conversation. "You're welcome," she said as she took a small sip from her glass. Tonks knew she had to drink very slowly. If she drank this glass too quickly, she would be in danger of getting drunk.

"Lucius Malfoy," he said as he took a large gulp from his fire whiskey.

"Celeste," Tonks replied, crossing her legs and letting him take a long look. She hoped he wouldn't ask for a last name, because as of right now, she hadn't thought of one.

"I hate to use a tired cliché, but what is a beautiful girl like you doing here by herself?" Malfoy asked.

"Not the most memorable pickup line I've heard before," Tonks said with spirit. "The answer is, I wasn't supposed to be alone. But here I am."

"My dear, I cannot tell you how delighted I am that you were stood up."

No, no, no, Tonks thought to herself, this would not do at all. She could tell that he planned on having her tonight and then forgetting about her ten minutes after he kicked her out of his bed. Tonks decided right then that she had to be a challenge. Let him work for the prize,

At that point, Malfoy had finished his drink and was already asking for another. "Celeste is a beautiful name," he said after a moment.

"Thank you," Tonks replied. "I aspire to be like my name, dark and mysterious."

Malfoy laughed a bit as he casually placed his hand on her knee. "Let me buy you another drink," he said huskily.

"Patience," Tonks teased, letting her foot brush the back of his calf. "I haven't even finished this first one yet."

As the witch brought the requested drink, Malfoy drank it thirstily. Tonks knew two things. First, Malfoy wanted her, that much was clear. But he was about to become very drunk. Tonks breathed a sigh of relief. She was almost positive he wouldn't be up for female companionship tonight. Tonks scolded herself; she couldn't embrace that idea, she had to be willing to go home with him tonight.

Feeling inspired, she decided to leave him wanting more. "Thank you, Mister Malfoy, for rescuing me from what would have been a wasted evening. I do believe it's time for me to leave; but I would like to see you again. Say Friday night, at this very bar?"

"That would be acceptable," he said quickly. She could tell he was trying not to sound too eager.

"Good. Before I go, should I tell your friends about our arrangement? Or will you keep me in your thoughts and not forget about me?" Tonks teased.

"I'll remember," he said, grabbing her wrist.

Tonks snatched it away, and wagged her finger at him. "Playtime is set for another day," she purred.

Malfoy raised his eyebrow. Tonks was thrilled; she knew she had done a good job of getting him interested. She made a mental note to tell Severus to make sure he was there Friday night.

Somehow Tonks managed to stand up from the bar stool gracefully. She placed one hand on Malfoy's chest and the other behind his neck, giving him a lingering kiss on the cheek. Malfoy started to move his head, but Tonks stepped back quickly, giving him a slow smile.

"Friday," she whispered, turning her back to him. She walked towards the door, stumbling on a dip in the floor. Quickly she grabbed the edge of the bar, regaining her balance. "Please don't let him have seen that," Tonks muttered under her breath.

Head held high, Tonks walked out of the bar, feeling two pairs of eyes watching her every step.