Disclaimer: I own Charlie and Tonks and the whole HP world!!! Mwahahahahaha! Yeah, okay. I wish. ;)
A/N: Okay, I just love this chapter. A little bit more of Tonks' fun side here. Thanks to Cyndi, my beta – you're a life saver!
sarah-mason19 – Thanks! I know the pairing is different!
MelissaMoony – Thanks!
Tonks – I'm so glad you reviewed! You're the one who got me hooked on this ship in the first place – I hope I won't disappoint!
Cory – Yay! Another fellow Dragon Heart shipper – thanks for the great review!
ladyingray451 – I know what you mean – at least it's a good one to be obsessed over!
Eraserhead – Thanks!
DeeDee the Smarmy – I'm glad you liked Molly in chapter one – she's one of my favorite characters to write!
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Tonks couldn't focus. Kingsley was trying to tell her something, but her brain didn't seem to be functioning properly. This morning's breakfast had been wonderful – joking and laughing with Charlie had been just what she needed to get her mind off of Sirius. But now, back at Auror Headquarters, there was nothing to distract her.
"Tonks? Tonks, are you alright?"
She shook her head in a feeble attempt to clear her mind. "Sorry, Kingsley. I'm listening. What were you saying?"
But Kingsley just looked at her, his eyes full of concern. "Listen, Tonks, why don't you go back home? Let Molly take care of you for a while." She started to object, but he kept on. "It's only been a week since you lost him. You need to give yourself time to grieve. No one expects you to be at work already."
Tonks felt her eyes fill with tears, and a wave of annoyance, coupled with a profound sorrow, swept over her. "But, Kingsley, with Voldemort back, we need to work harder than ever. I can't just take off..."
Kingsley frowned. "Stop trying to convince yourself. Do I need to order you to take time off?"
She matched his frown with one of her own. "Kingsley..."
"Tonks, you are going to take three weeks of personal recovery time, during which you will relax, allow Molly to mother you, and let yourself grieve properly. If I see you back here before that time, I'll sack you, understood?"
Her jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"
"Tonks, I just want you to take some time for yourself. You're going to burn out if you don't, and we need you at full capacity for what's coming - you know that."
She did know. But three weeks? It was insufferable. I'm going to go mad without work to keep me occupied. She wasn't the sort of person who needed solitude to work through her problems, but she knew she couldn't keep pretending she was fine. She did need a break... "Alright, fine. I'll take three weeks, but no more than that!"
Kingsley smiled. "Of course. Now go. Tell Molly to expect me for dinner tonight."
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"Tonks! What are you doing back so soon?" Ginny looked up from her book in surprise. "Did you forget something?"
Tonks sighed and flopped down on the sofa. "No, I didn't forget anything. Kingsley sent me home - said I needed a break. Practically forced me out of the office."
Ginny smiled. "So you get the day off?"
Tonks shook her head. "More like three weeks off - he threatened to sack me if I came back before then."
"Who's going to sack you?"
Charlie entered the sitting room with a smile and Tonks' heart jumped. Oh, for the love of Merlin. Get a grip. "Kingsley. He sent me home for a three-week 'vacation'."
Charlie took a seat beside her. "Three weeks? That's nice of him."
She nodded slowly. "I suppose. He said I need to let myself 'grieve properly'." She sighed again. "I don't even know what that means." She lay her head back on the sofa and closed her eyes. It was all starting to crash down upon her, and she tried to fight it off. She didn't want to face it - not yet.
When she opened her eyes, Ginny was gone and Charlie was looking at her with serious eyes. "It'll be okay, Tonks."
Her eyes filled and she fought to maintain control. "I hope so," she whispered as the tears spilled over and flowed down her cheeks. "I hope so."
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Tonks woke up with a dull ache in her temple. She opened her eyes and squinted at the light. With a groan, she pushed herself into a sitting position and noticed that she was still on the sofa in the sitting room. Someone had covered her with a blanket. Three guesses who.
A quick glance at her watch told her that it was only three in the afternoon. Too early to go back to bed. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stood up. Might as well make myself useful around here.
She made her way to the kitchen, where Molly and Ginny were preparing dinner. "Can I help?"
Molly turned with a smile. "I don't think so, dear. We've got everything under control. You just go and rest."
"Oh. Okay." Should have seen that one coming. "I'll just... go... you know..."
But Molly had already turned back to her preparations. Tonks sighed and left the kitchen. Less than six hours and I'm already obsolete.
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"How are the Ridgebacks doing?" Charlie spoke into the fireplace.
His co-worker shook his head. "They've been restless lately - I think the recent weather changes are getting to them."
"You're probably right, Stefan." He made a mental note to check his records for similar behavior so they could cross-reference. "And the new batch of Opaleyes?"
Stefan smiled. "Adjusting well to the colony. The older ones have accepted them into the group."
That news made Charlie happy. They had been trying for months to get authorization to bring three new Opaleye dragons into the colony, and now that they had, acceptance into the close-knit group was essential to the newcomers' well-being. It was still too early to count it a success, but it was a good start.
Charlie quickly finished up the conference with his partner and pulled his head from the flames. He was surprised to see Tonks walking down the corridor, looking a bit dejected. "Tonks?"
He watched her turn back and give him a sad smile. "Hey, Charlie."
He frowned and crossed the room to join her. "You alright?"
"I guess. I just don't know what to do with myself now that I'm stuck here. I haven't even been here a whole day and I'm out of things to do."
"Well, why don't we find something to do?" Charlie held his breath. What are you doing, Weasley?
She looked thoughtful. "What did you have in mind?"
He grinned - he couldn't help it. "Erm... well, why don't we play tourist tomorrow?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Tourist?"
"Yeah, you know what I mean. Get away from headquarters for a day, see the sights of London."
She laughed. "Charlie, I grew up in London."
"Yes, but have you seen it like the Muggle tourists see it?" He gave her his most charming smile and puppy dog eyes. "Come on, Tonks, I've been in Romania a long time - I need a real Londoner to show me around. Say you'll go?"
She grinned. "Alright, fine! I'll go. But I'm warning you - tomorrow will be a day you'll never forget."
I have no doubt about that. His heart warmed at the promise of tomorrow.
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Charlie stood at the bottom of the staircase, and checked his watch for the umpteenth time. He'd told Tonks that they'd leave at seven and have breakfast in the city, but it was already 7:15. Maybe she changed her mind.
He heard footsteps and looked up, but it wasn't her. "Ginny, where's Tonks? Is she coming down?"
His sister nodded. "Yes, she's coming. She's almost done getting ready."
Charlie sighed. "Getting ready for what? We're just going sightseeing."
Ginny smiled mischievously. "Exactly." She skipped off to the kitchen before Charlie could reply.
He had just decided to go upstairs and look for Tonks when she suddenly appeared. "What in the name of Merlin are you wearing?"
Tonks smiled. "You said you wanted to play tourist."
Charlie couldn't help but laugh. She was wearing knee-length khaki shorts, bright white trainers with socks pulled up high, and possible the ugliest Hawaiian shirt he'd ever seen in a horrific shade of orange. A neon pink visor was perched atop her blonde hair, which was pulled into a perky ponytail. A large Muggle camera hung from her neck and a blue fanny-pack adorned her waist.
"So? What do you think?" She spun around so he could get the full effect.
He shook his head and used his hand to cover his grin. "It's awful. Just awful."
She held up her hand. "Wait! One more thing!" She unzipped the fanny-pack and pulled out a pair of hideous plastic sunglasses. "The finishing touch." She slipped them on her face and held out her hands with a grin. "Ta da!"
"I don't think I can be seen out in public with you," Charlie laughed.
"Oh, yes you can! Because I have something for you too." She pulled her wand out of her pocket. "Accio bag!"
Charlie's eyes widened as a large, floral-print shoulder bag zoomed down the stairs. "Oh, no. No way am I carrying that thing around."
"Don't be such a killjoy, Weasley. Besides, the bag matches the hat."
"What hat?"
"Your hat, of course! She pulled out a wide-brimmed straw hat with a blue band - exactly the same print as the bag.
He groaned. "Is it too late to cancel?"
She laughed at his discomfort. "Yes, it is. Now come on, take the bag, put the hat on, and let's go paint the town red!"
Her enthusiasm was contagious. Come on, Weasley. Throw caution to the wind and be a little crazy for once. He took the bag from her hands and pulled it over his shoulder. "Hat?" She held it out and he plopped in on his head. "How do I look?"
"Absolutely perfect. So come on." She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the front door. "We'd better hurry so we can get breakfast before we go to Westminster Abbey."
He frowned. "Why don't we just apparate?"
"Charlie," she said in a patronizing tone, "Muggle tourists don't apparate."
He laughed. "You're right, of course. So..."
"So, we take a cab!" They stepped outside, and Number Twelve disappeared behind them just as a Muggle taxi pulled up to the curb. Tonks grinned. "Ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
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I've never known anyone like her. She's spontaneous, charming, hilarious, beautiful. How did I survive before I met her?
Charlie had been dragged all over the city, into every touristy shop, every historical landmark, every photo-op. He was exhausted, but he had enjoyed every minute.
"So, where to next?" Tonks looked at him expectantly.
He groaned. "Next? Haven't we seen everything yet?"
"Of course not," she laughed. " You wanted the full experience and you're getting it. So no complaining."
He held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, you win. What do you want to see next?"
She thought for a moment. "We haven't ridden a double decker bus yet. I bet we could find one especially for tourists like us."
"I bet we could," Charlie replied, resigned to the fact that he wouldn't be returning to Grimmauld Place anytime soon. At least I'm in good company.
Tonks jumped up from the bench and grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet. "Come on, Charlie, I think I saw a touristy-looking bus place over there!"
He laughed at her exuberance and followed along willingly. He had a feeling that he would follow her anywhere as long as he had her hand in his.
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