Blush Chapter 3: Unexpected Revelations, a harry potter fanfic

Thanks to those who reviewed… you guys are awesome… and I'm back with another interesting chapter

Previously on Blush:

As their verbal sparring continued, an own flew in, followed by a very angry Draco Malfoy. If everyone was shocked at seeing each other, it was even greater at seeing him there.

He nodded towards Anita, his unfortunate blood relation, and then said, "Well Weasley, are you ready to go?" She looked at him shocked and Ron said, "What do you want you little bugger." Draco looked at Ron and said, "I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to the one with some brains."

Ginny blushed at this but then remembered whom she was thinking about. She said, "But I would like to know what you're doing here Malfoy." He said, "Well, we're partners in the next assignment." Her eyes widened with shock, and Hermione gasped and ran into the house.

Draco looked at Harry and Ron and commented, "Didn't know you guys would be desperate enough to both go for Granger." Harry held back a fuming Ron and said, "there's nothing of that sort Malfoy and you know it. Unless you want a couple hexes I suggest you keep quiet." Surprisingly, Malfoy did what he was told to do. He couldn't find out his exact assignment until Weasley came, and he didn't want to avoid being partnered with her by being bed ridden.

On the other hand, Anita still had a bone to pick with Harry, and she said another comment and the two ended up arguing again while waiting for Hermione to say something.

Hermione came back out a couple minutes later to questioning glances and said, "You should have been there by now. There's something wrong. Even I'm wanted."

So the six left, not even having a clue of how greatly Hermione understated the situation or of how their lives would take a turn for the better…

Well then, we're on for chapter 3…

Chapter 3: Unexpected Revelations

They'd apparated into the Department pretty easily and acted quite civil while they waited for the Head to call them in. With the best Aurors either retired or out teaching, like Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks took it upon herself to become one of the first females to ever get a high position in the ministry. Especially concerning defense. But she was honestly weary of the uproar that would follow the next assignments she would give. Though she chose their partners according to their strengths and weaknesses, she knew that the next few hours would be hell to try and convince them on their assignments.

She told her secretary to let them in, and all six arrived, with Malfoy happy to take a position near the back shadows of her room. She looked at them seriously and then got up saying, "How're you all doing?" A couple responses were clear but the rest were lost in mumbles, so she continued by saying, "I'm guessing you all know that you're going to be getting new assignments today." A few nods followed.

She conjured up a world map and placed it on her messy table, she was thinking of tackling the mess that afternoon, and said, "We have good news and bad news. Good news is that the Minister's Ball got postponed indefinetely, and that means that I won't have to worry about having all of you back in time for the security measures, but bad news is that we have another loony to deal with." Her expression turned even more serious and she looked down at the map touching three locations. They lit up, showing the city and country. She looked up at them and said, "Now I'm hoping that I can trust you all to be mature adults because rivalry will not get you far in these missions.

Death Eaters were only recent threats to those of muggle descent. You see, over the centuries that Hogwarts has allowed in muggleborn students, much uproar have occurred, mostly in the old fashioned and pure-blood wanting families, like mine or Malfoy's. The problem is that though all liked Voldemort's ideals, not all joined him. Those who did we have managed to point out, but there are many more wizards and witches out there just bidding for their time. And it has come.

Right now, there are three major organizations that are joining together to rid the world of muggles all together. Including the muggleborn witches and wizards. Before they get to the three elemental items needed to complete their master plan, you 6 have to get them back." Tonks had paused many times during her explanation of the situation but none had interrupted yet. It seemed that Moody had taught them well as his last students. Though Hermione was hardly one to remain quiet for this long it seemed that she was thinking up some questions to ask later.

Tonks continued by saying, "The three elements are in jewels that are scattered in these three countries, Egypt, Australia, and Russia. If you're going to do this you will have to work in a female-male pair, just because there will be a lot of espionage involved. And as Mr. Malfoy knows, he will be working with Ms. Weasley. And Mr. Potter and Ms. Rogers you will have to work together."

They protested immediately trying to switch partners but Tonks held up her hand and said, "I know very well that you two have never gotten along. But if you're to help save the world and your friends from annihilation, I think now would be the time to get to know each other. And that goes for you two too." She said glancing at Draco and Ginny. They had been quite, calm about this. Interesting…

'So far so good,' she thought tiredly. It wasn't fun to be the head of Aurors when you were at an age of going out and enjoying yourself or staying at home and have kids. But she didn't let her thoughts pull her away as she waited for Ron and Hermione to come back in to speak with her privately. If possible, theirs would be the most dangerous of the assignments, and it would require a lot of research, something Hermione excelled at.

They walked in, aware of the four pairs of eyes on their backs. Somehow, Ron instinctively took Hermione's hand as she closed the door behind them. Maybe he was just being paranoid, but he felt badly about his best friend being dragged into his field of work. If anything ever happened to her…

Tonks cleared her throat and said, "How are they doing?" Hermione, who was still sane at the moment, replied, "I think they're getting over the shock now." Tonks nodded and then looked up at them and said, "Out of all the pairings that I could come up with, I needed you and Ron together for a reason. I needed a pair that could work hard, though the work would be quite boring." She looked at them and said, "Harry and Anita are going off to Russia, Draco and Ginny will leave for Australia tomorrow, and, personally, they have the easier jobs."

It seemed as if the two in front of her were holding onto every one of her words. Of course Ron had dropped Hermione's hand, after a little blush spread over his cheeks. Typical. But they seemed to be ready and Tonks hoped so greatly. Her gaze fell on Hermione and she asked, "The Department of Mysteries agreed that you could join us on this Hermione because we needed a researcher who could defend herself at all times. And plus the ruddy witch was thinking of giving you more deskwork. This'll be just like your old adventures at Hogwarts, except, thankfully, less rulebreaking, so I'm sure it'll be a nice change." They blushed guiltily at the reference, and Tonks finally told them what was to be done…

"If there were any place that magic was most powerful, it would be Egypt. With the legends and the Pharoahs, it's a land full of mysteries. But there is a main one that you must research on, and unfortunately, we could not acquire the documents here. So you must go to Cairo's international library* and research on Ra, the sun god. It is said that he had distributed his elemental powers in the sky to many other gods, but Ra also had his original power stored in a crystal. The problem is, no one's been able to figure out where. But we think the wizards there are picking up clues, so you must be careful as well as inconspicuous, because the power of the sky will be the last piece to being able to destroy the world. So you will have the most time, but it will also mean you will be working harder."

As they walked out of the room, Ron realized that not all of his questions were answered, but he had a feeling Hermione knew more than she was letting on, if her glazed eyes were any sign, and he hoped that they would figure things out fast. But he felt a flutter of sadness as he looked up and met the worried eyes of Harry Potter. While Harry would off fighting some dark wizard, Ron would be sitting in one of his least favorite places, safe and sound.

If only he knew the dangers that could follow sitting in a library…

A deep laugh resounded in her home. She should have figured he would find something to laugh about in the matter. But it brought a smile to her face knowing that he was laughing more. Remus Lupin had become quite subdued after the death of Siruis Black, and it was only by her pestering him for quite some time that he started talking to her. But now as she sat with her face flushed from embarassment she wondered if maybe he was on something that she didn't know of. Some sort of, making people happy potion…

Remus shook his head and his sandy brown hair that had grayed even more considerably asked, "So I'm guessing it was like watching Lily and James all over again?" Tonks nodded and smiled, but it was wistful, and Remus looked at the ceiling with a wistful smile as well. So much had happened, and the friends who'd helped him through everything were now all gone.

Of course, teaching at Hogwarts brought back memories that he was very fond of, and let him meet the children of classmates and classmen alike but, there was still something missing. Maybe he just needed a long nap. The full moon would be coming soon, and Remus was hardly in the mood to go see Snape, who was, finally, not fighting over who was the DADA professor. One year in Remus' spot told him that Potions was his adobe.

Tonks took her time studying his face as he thought. Remus Lupin was the one boy that always facinated her, even after all the boyfriends and most times, mistakes she had gone out with. There was a time when she would have denied everything within a heartbeat, but now, she wasn't sure anymore. Both were single, and he was barely about 4 years older than her. But now was not the time to reflect.

Tonks said quietly, "I thought this job had many perks Remus." He looked at her; the second war had definetely made her grow up, more than he would have hoped. But then again, there was still the same child-like spirit in her that he often saw in his own friends. He replied, "It does, for those who can walk past death unharmed." She nodded and looked at the fire in front of her and took another sip of her cocoa.

But she couldn't hold it in. She hadn't cried for a long time. Not even when Sirius decided to become a matyr. Even then, she'd remained with a calm face. So what was it now that she wanted so badly to cry about? Maybe it was the entire horrid situation. They had defeated Voldemort, things were supposed to be better now. Not hanging on a balance again and in the hands of children who were still nursing the scars of the previous war.

He walked up to her, taking a seat next to her in the couch, and wiped her tears and brought her closer. He whispered, "Things will get better Dora, you know it as well as I do." Then a smile came to his face, remembering how he managed to convince her that he would only call her by her first name and the troubles they went through trying to agree on a name that wouldn't make her hit him.

In ways, they were reliving some fantasy that still had a chance…

Meanwhile…

Harry shifted in his seat as he sat across from Anita Rogers. Though he could hate her more than anything, he had to admit that under the moonlight, she was looking quite like a goddess. He gulped and looked away towards Malfoy, who was trying to ignore Ron trying to warn Malfoy not to do anything. Harry smiled and shook his head when Ginny asked, "What did Tonks have to talk to you about Hermione?"

Hermione immediately looked at Ron, and it was almost as if they were sharing a mental conversation because Hermione replied cautiously, "She… told us… to be careful. And we have to do some things when we get there. Are you guys leaving tomorrow too?" Ginny looked suspiciously at the change of conversation, but said, "Yeah, I think the portkey's booked for around noon. You Anita?" Anita looked up from her food, which she had found very interesting since the beginning of dinner and answered, "uh yeah… around noon too I think."

Harry's eyes met her's, and she turned away, towards Ron's ranting. In reality, Anita was afraid; she was afraid of the power that was behind those emerald eyes. She remembered a meeting during the middle of her 7th year, when her hatred towards Potter was well spread throughout Hogwarts…

-Flashback-

Anita was walking out of the prefects' bathroom and she bumped into a soft tall 'thing'. She almost fell but he caught her just in time, whirling her into the wall. When she looked up, she was staring into the eyes of the Boy-Who-Lived, who was staring back, confused.

Something about right then, it was about a week into December holidays and here she was, caught by the boy she despised. But there was more behind those eyes that day. There was an inner desire that Harry Potter was trying not to succumb to. But it was hard, oh yes, very hard.

Here she was, Anita Rogers, who made him feel everything from passion to utter disgust in the shortest time possible, and her bright hazel eyes, with specks of gold were so alluring. He didn't know however that she was thinking the same about his eyes. All he knew was that he wanted to kiss her badly.

And so he did.

Unfortunately that was not the best move because as he pulled away from their electrifying kiss, her dazed eyes soon sharpened, and he felt a strong surge of pain as she slapped him and quickly walked away. That was one lesson he wouldn't be forgetting for a while…

-End Flashback-

If his eyes could make her do something as kiss her, and if his kiss could make her feel a tingle on her lips for days, then Anita had every right to be afraid of what he could do. But now was the time to worry because after the next day, she would be all alone with him in a strange country. Who knew what kind of trouble that meant?

Meanwhile, as she finished dessert, she decided to give her poor relation a break from the elder Weasley's torment and said, "Don't worry Weasley. If anything happens to Ginny, we can skewer Malfoy together."

Ron looked at her shocked but Malfoy held up his hands and said, "Have I said or hinted upon anything of that manner? And aren't you supposed to be on my side, you're blood relation."

She smiled bitterly and said, "Not by choice, cousin." He shook his head and looked at Ginny squarely saying, "I'll pick you up at 11 AM Weaslette. Goodnight to everyone." And he got up and left.

After that everyone had slowly gone back home, knowing that they needed to pack.

But that night, no one could sleep. Hermione and Ron played chess, Ginny and Anita talked quitely in their apartment, Malfoy was fast asleep dreaming, it seemed, of a pink bunny invasion, while Harry stood in the balcony looking at the stars. It seemed as if their next adventure, ignoring the pun, would be to die for. And he was really hoping that he could ignore that pun. It scared him out of his wits.

Well then, there's chapter three. I know most people will be missing this with all the updates that occur daily in the Harry Potter section, heck, I would. So if you want, I'll open a mailing list.

If you'd like to be informed of when I update Blush, you could always leave your email in your review, or email me at kawaiisakura915@hotmail.com

Or as some have done *huggle to you lot* you could add the author alert thingy… I'm not too sure how that works, haven't tried it yet…

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Review!

~*Spectraangel*~

P.S. I know the plot's quite confusing at the moment, but as they fall into their roles in the other locations, I'm sure things will start to clear up. Still, if you have questions, you know where to catch me. Oh, and yeah, I found Tonks as a better Head than Lupin, just cuz, I like her persona, I think she has a more malleable character. Alrighty then, have a good… day or night…

And thanks for the support!