"What time is it?" Tonks asked sleepily.
Severus rolled over and looked at the hourglass that was on Tonks' nightstand. "It's time to get up," Severus sighed. "The meeting will be starting in a few hours, and we both have work to do before that."
"Dora," Severus said softly, "we should keep this away from even the Order. At least for right now. It might, complicate things."
"You're right, Severus. Look at Albus, he certainly doesn't understand," Tonks hesitated. "Severus, did you actually believe that I could have thought of you just as a fling?"
"For an hour, perhaps two. As much as I hate to admit this Dora, I'm weak. I tend to let people influence my decisions too much."
"You're the strongest person I know," Tonks said simply.
"Thank you," he said stroking her arm gently. "Now, we have to get up."
Tonks nodded, not wanting to leave the safe confines of her bed. Slowly she sat up, and gently kissed Severus on the lips. Finding her wand, she said "Finite," canceling the charms she had placed on the room. She reached around on the floor and found her t-shirt which she unwillingly put on.
Suddenly the door opened. "Tonks, St. Mungos just flooed. Your parents are awake!"
It was Remus.
Tonks and Severus froze. Remus stood at the door, taking in the situation. "Tonks," he said in a strangled voice. He then turned around suddenly and slammed the door.
"Shit," Tonks whispered.
"He's in love with you, isn't he?" Severus asked. "I can tell."
Tonks nodded. After all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, this was one more thing she didn't need. "I need to get to St. Mungos," Tonks said, kissing Severus' hand. "I'll see you at the meeting tonight."
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"Nymphadora!" her mother cried. Normally Tonks cringed whenever she heard her mum say her first name. But not today, today she was thrilled to her mother say anything.
"Hi Mum," Tonks said, grasping her hand. "Where's Dad?"
"He's taking a few more tests, dear. He's awake, but isn't able to talk yet. But he'll be fine, don't you worry."
Tonks gave her mother a hug. "I'm so sorry Mum," she cried into her mother's shoulders.
Her mother gave her a quick shake, "Nymphadora, you have nothing to be sorry for, understand me? I'm just so grateful you weren't hurt. They were after you, weren't they?"
Tonks nodded. Her mother closed her eyes briefly. "Please be safe, Nymphadora. I know you're an Auror, but Merlin, please be safe! I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you."
Her father was wheeled in on a trolley then. "Daddy!" Tonks cried. Her father nodded to her, unable to speak. "I'm okay Daddy," her father nodded again, and took her hand.
"I have to go," Tonks said sadly. "With all the attacks last night, we have so much work to do."
Tonks' father stroked her cheek gently. "Please just know, I am doing everything in my power to stop this," Tonks said with an edge in her voice.
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The parlor was packed. Every member of the order was the there, along with new recruits willing to help because of the attacks. Tonks stood next to Severus, wearing Celeste clothes, in case she was summoned.
Albus Dumbledore stood in the center of the room. "Twenty-three confirmed dead," he started. "Five more, almost certain to die. Forty-seven wounded."
Tonks gasped inwardly. She had no idea that the count was that high. She wished she could see a list of names. "Before we discuss anything, let us take a moment of silence for the dead."
The room stood still. Tonks could feel Severus' arm slip around her waist, behind her robe, so no one could see.
"Thank you," Albus said. "We would be foolish to think that this will never happen again. Voldemort," Tonks winced at the sound of his name, "wants us to be frightened, which I'm sure many of you are."
"We must defend our way of life. We must not bow down before Voldemort. We will do everything we can to stop this."
Quickly, the meeting broke into groups. Some were to do extra patrols, while some were to help with the clean up. Everyone there wanted to help.
"Nymphadora, Severus, I need to speak to you both, right away."
They followed Albus to the kitchen, which was empty except for Kreacher. Tonks hadn't seen him in over two months. Remus and she had to make sure he didn't ever leave the house, but that hadn't been an issue since Kreacher stayed out of everyone's way now.
"Kreacher, please leave the kitchen and go to your room," Tonks ordered.
The house-elf stayed where he was and stared straight at Tonks. "Mudblood can't order Kreacher around," he muttered.
Something inside of Tonks' snapped. "I am a Black, Kreacher! You will follow my command, and get out of the kitchen," she bellowed.
Was Kreacher looking at her with a little respect? "Whatever mistress wishes," he said, leaving the kitchen, followed by "The whore takes many forms, oh if I could only share her secrets…"
"I'll kill him," Tonks muttered and started after Kreacher. She was violently held back by Severus.
"You will do nothing of the sort, Nymphadora. Leave Kreacher be," Albus ordered. "We have much more important things to discuss than if the house-elf insulted you."
Tonks nodded and took a deep breath. "Sorry," she said softly.
"I have one question to ask both of you," Albus started. "Why didn't we know the attacks were last night?"
Tonks felt absolutely miserable. That was the whole reason she was a Death Eater, to get information. And she had failed in her first major task.
Severus cleared his throat. "The Dark Lord no longer trusts me," he announced.
"Explain," Albus said quietly.
"I'm in his inner circle. When we were summoned yesterday, the rest of the circle already knew that the attacks were happening and who they were after. The only explanation is that he no longer trusts me."
"Have you given him any reason to distrust you?" Albus asked.
"He is still probing my mind at an increased rate, Professor. My only theory is that he might think that you have an influence on me."
"I see," Albus paused, lost in thought. "Nymphadora, if yesterday has given me any indication it is that you must gain power among the Death Eaters. We have to know what is going on!"
"I'll try, Professor. I think I earned some respect with Narcissa, maybe I can try to exploit that," Tonks suggested.
"That would be a start," Albus said, "Severus, please be careful. We don't want you caught."
Severus nodded, "I understand."
Albus sighed. "Have you two worked out, I mean to say, what are the pair of you going to do?"
Severus took Tonks' hand in his. "We're going to fight," he said.
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Twelve Grimmauld Place didn't clear out until three in the morning. Tonks stayed in the parlor the entire time, discussing details, coming up with plans. Remus wouldn't take his eyes off of her.
Finally, when the last person had left, Tonks announced, "Remus, I'm going to bed."
"Wait, Tonks. Please."
She looked at him; his face was so sad. "Remus, please, I can't talk tonight."
"Why him, Tonks?" Tonks didn't answer. "Why Severus Snape? Out of all the people in the world you could have ended up with, why did you choose the one man I despise more than anyone?"
"This has nothing to do with you, Remus," Tonks said.
Remus banged his hand on an end table, making Tonks wince. "I could understand you not wanting to be with me. I'm fifteen years older than you and a werewolf. But, Merlin, Tonks. Snivellus?"
Tonks' eyes flashed. "I know you don't get along with him, Remus, but I will not have you talk about him like that."
"Don't get along with him?" Remus snorted. "That's the understatement of the year, Tonks."
"Damnit, Remus. My parents are in St. Mungos. Who knows how many people were killed last night. I do not need this tonight!"
Remus looked at her sharply. "You're right."
That was unexpected, Tonks thought.
"I'm being completely selfish, Tonks. I'm sorry."
"It's allright," Tonks started,
"No, it's not alright, Tonks. I guess I just got so wrapped up in everything that I forgot," he paused. "Do you love him?"
"Yes," Tonks whispered. "Remus, we're trying to keep a low profile. Please, please don't mention this to anyone."
Remus walked over to Tonks and gave her a brief hug. "You have my word."
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The next few weeks went by very quickly. There were no new Death Eater attacks, but that didn't stop Tonks having to put in extra shifts for the Ministry, as well as the Order. All in all, Tonks had only a chance to see Severus three or four times alone in a span of a month.
Her parents were home, which pleased Tonks. Her mother was completely cured, but her father still could not speak. Healer Thorn said there was a chance he might never speak again. The ministry made sure that there was an Auror outside of their house at all times. Her parents refused to let Tonks take the shifts herself.
Tonks had gotten into the habit of never looking the same way twice. She changed her appearance daily, which had caused some confusion among the other Aurors and members of the Order. To help the situation, Tonks started saying "Wotcher," every time she spoke to someone when she wasn't herself. That way they knew it was her. She knew Death Eaters were still after her. She was determined to make it as hard as possible for them. Now, only in front of Severus, and Severus alone, did she show her true self.
Things had quieted down, which bothered Tonks. She hadn't been summoned in a while, though she had taken it upon herself to visit Narcissa at the Malfoy Manor as Celeste, to try to gain an ally. Narcissa had been surprisingly receptive to the visit, and promised to invite her over again soon. So Tonks was actually surprised one night to feel the Dark Mark burn.
Quickly, she went through the motions of changing and turning into Celeste. When she opened her eyes, after the apparating, she found herself in the same field as so many times before.
She wasn't quiet sure, but there was a new energy in the air, and excitement. Merlin, she hoped there wouldn't be more attacks tonight. Tonks worked her way up towards the front of the crowd when she saw him. There was no mistaking his long blonde hair from under his Death Eater's mask.
Lucius Malfoy had escaped from Azkaban.