Chapter 2: Improper Use Of Magic.

Remus Lupin woke up next day to the streaks of sunlight peering into his dark room through the thick drapes. He glanced at the clock on his bedside, which told him it was 7:30.

Remus, groaning, left his warm and comfy bed heading in the direction of the bathroom. After a shower, he dressed himself in the day's robes, and draping his cloak around himself, he left for the Ministry.

"Good Morning Remus. Still tired?" Tonks said as he entered her office still in his tired frame.

"Hello Dora. Yes I suppose so." He replied taking a seat. "Harry, Ron. A pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?" Remus inquired looking over to Tonks, surprise etched on his face.

"Tonks called us. Said she had something important to discuss." Ron replied his mouth full from what Remus assumed was candy.

"So what was that something important you wanted to discuss?" Harry asked looking at Tonks, trying to hold back a smirk at Ron's face, while Remus tried to do the same.

"Well...this-this is kind of...you see...I detected this magic about two days ago...its-well-its illegal magic." Tonks said looking at the parchments spread on her desk.

"So what's so bad about that? I mean it's the summer holidays and many underage wizards might...." Ron interrupted leaning back on his chair casually.

"Illegal Magic?" Harry asked catching the last bit, and interrupting Ron.

Tonks nodded.

"You mean, improper use, right?" Harry asked.

"Both; illegal and improper." Tonks replied.

"Probably underage wizards." Harry replied dismissing it as harmless.

"Harry," Tonks said looking at him, a bit irritated. "I don't recall any underage wizards at Malfoy Manor."

Silence engulfed the room for a few minutes before Harry, Ron and Remus yelled simultaneously, sitting up alertly in their chairs, their eyes wide with shock,

"Malfoy Manor!"

"Shh." Tonks said putting her index finger to her mouth, her face contorted in anger. "Yes, Malfoy Manor; and would you mind keeping your voices down." She whispered hoarsely, keeping an eye out for anyone who would have heard.

"But maybe it's occupied now...by wizards nonetheless..." Ron finally managed to say something.

"Ron, THINK," Tonks said addressing the three. "We're talking about Malfoy Manor here. The house of one of the famous Death Eater. Who would want a house like that?"

"May be someone got it at a really good price..." Ron said again stupidly, causing Tonks to grunt at his idiocy.

Harry and Remus sat with identical smirks on their faces.

"Listen Tonks, it is a possibility," Harry said backing Ron up.

"Ok, considering it as a possibility, lets say the Manor is occupied, and there are underage wizards there. Do you really think that these underage wizards can do complex Dark Magic?" Tonks explained exasperated.

"Dark Magic?" The three said simultaneously again, their eyes wide with shock.

"Wait, wait, wait...you never said anything about Dark Magic." Harry said trying to put two and two together.

"You never gave me a chance to say anything." Tonks retorted.

"But, Dora...how come...Malfoy Manor?" Remus said, his face revealing his confusion.

"I don't know...that's why I am confused." Tonks replied looking down at the parchments again.

Silence engulfed the room once again, with identical thoughts going through everyone's mind. It was quite sometime before Tonks said,

"Listed, all I am asking you to do is...check it out. Some of the Death Eaters we are looking for might be there...if the information is true...I will be grateful."

Remus knew at that instant, by the look on Tonks face, that there was more to this than Dark Magic at Malfoy Manor.

"No, no it's ok...we'll check it out. Maybe Kingsley could...." Ron said still deep in thought.

"No Ron, no. I don't want this leaving this room." Tonks said abruptly, her voice slightly shaking, something only noticed by Remus.

"But they can help..." Harry said, looking awkwardly at Tonks.

"Harry NO! If I still had my Auror's license, I would have checked it out myself. But since I don't, do it as a favour for me." Tonks pleaded.

"Ok. Ok. No problem Tonks; don't worry we'll check it out. All right...no fret." Ron said as he and Harry got up to leave.

"Thanks." Said Tonks as they left.

Thinking she was alone, Tonks breathed a sigh of relief before a voice suddenly interrupted her and her thoughts.

"Is there something you're not telling us, Dora?" Remus asked looking at her from the doorway.

"N-No....w-why would you say that?" Tonks stuttered trying to smile, realising that Remus was still present.

"You're a bad liar you know that." Remus said, taking his seat again.

"It's just that...I-I am a bit tired from yesterday.....honestly." Tonks lied not looking at Remus hoping he would drop the matter.

Remus eyed her disbelievingly but didn't push it.

"Ok...don't worry all right." He said slowly still looking at her unconvinced. "We'll check it out. You take care of yourself; you look really pale."

Tonks nodded, glad he dropped the matter.

"Yeah, sure...I'll see you later." Tonks said as Remus got up to leave.

As soon as Remus was out of the room, she relaxed against her chair, sighing and closing her eyes, before a hoot brought her back to reality.

There, on her desk, sat a big black owl with a letter tied to its leg. The instant, Tonks relieved it of its burden, the owl flew away leaving Tonks by herself.

Gulping and with shaky hands, Tonks turned over the letter to read the dark green scribble on it,

N. Tonks
Improper Use Of Magic
Department Of Magical Law Enforcement
Ministry Of Magic.

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A/N: Stay tuned for chapter 3.

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Take care.