Writer's Note- Just to warn you, this is the second to last chapter that I have planned for this story. Wasn't meant to be really long. Enjoy
Chapter Three- Treachery & Turmoil
At The Hangman's Hideaway in London...
Not long after they started dating, Tonk's revealed to him her true identity. She was not your average girl, she was a witch. He took it well, believed her, still wanted to be with her, and vowed to keep her secret. Touched by his loyalty, she decided it would be alright to show him her favorite club. It was, of course, known only to the wizarding world. The Hangman's Hideaway was less family orientated than the Three Broomsticks, and more modern than the Hog's Head. It attracted a diverse following, and boasted live music and dancing every weekend. It was a natural home for a wild child like Tonk's. Her bubblegum pink hair blended in perfectly. Being her preferred haunt, it felt right to want to share it with her boyfriend. They filled the place with good memories. Marcus approached it now with jealousy and spite.
He sat down at the bar and began throwing them back. He had a decent buzz going went he saw a man walk in with long, silver blonde hair, cold grey eyes, and a slow drawling voice he heard as he past. "The Dark Lord was quite pleased to hear of my new parole. Now that I'm released from Azkaban, I am once more free to assist him." He said this to his shorter, thicker companion whom he called Crabbe. They made their way to the back of the club, and sat at a private table.
It took a few more drinks and sometime to process what he overheard, and an ugly plot began to form in his head. After on last beer, Marcus got up and searched for the men he had seen earlier. He found them conversing. He approached the table, and was eyed disdainfully.
"Hey. I got something to say to you."
Lucius Malfoy sensed what he was, and looked up at him with disgust etched in his face. "We've nothing to hear from you, muggle."
"Oh. But I think you'll be interested in this."
He pulled up a chair, and preceded to tell the Death Eaters everything he knew about the Order of Phoenix.
Tonk's Flat-
Nymphadora lay crumpled up on her paisley orange couch, hugging a tattered velvet covered pillow. Why did he have to be such an ass? Why did she keep trying to make it work? She was a brave girl, a professional, trained to handle all sorts of tricky situations, why couldn't she get out of a simple, bad relationship? Through bleary eyes, she focused on the fireplace, where hours before, Lupin had appeared. What would he say of her idiocy? She let her head fall into the softness of the cushions, and she fell asleep wary that she was on duty again tomorrow night.
The following morning, she got up, dressed, and left for work at the Ministry, her combat boots thunking miserably as she treaded down the hall.
It was a rough day at work, brightened only by quips from her coworker, Kingsley Shacklebolt. The day finally ended, and she made her way home for a solitary dinner. Her mind elsewhere, she burnt it and threw her effort away in disgust. After wafting most of the smoke out the window, she set out for number 12 Grimauld Place, to start her shift for the Order.
An odd rhythm set her when she walked down the dark bepuddled streets, as it always did when preparing for duty when only she and Remus were on. Normally, she would be excited at the prospect of being alone with him, but tonight, that thrill was weighted by her lingering misery from her most recent fight with Marcus.
If she had been alert, she might have noticed. If she hadn't been distracted, she might have heard. She was only blocks from number 12 when it happened.
They came from the shadows unbidden. They appeared with purpose, wands raised.
Malfoy and Crabbe had their eyes on Tonks. "EXPELLIARMUS!"
With lightning honed instincts, she whipped around and dodged the spell, which hit the building behind her, knocking bricks loose. She rapidly sent a counter, which they dodged in turn. With a start, she recognized her attacker.
"Malfoy! Crabbe! What are you doing here?" She demanded. They laughed mirthlessly. Crabbe sent a stunning spell, and she wasn't quick enough this time, it hit her in the arm, and it went numb. She gasped in pain, but managed to defend herself. "Impedimenta!" It worked and their approach was slowed.
One person was not affected by this, for he had remained in the background, but came forward now. Marcus. He affronted with a bundle of ropes, his affect oddly slack and blank.
"Marcus!" She moaned. "What have you done to him?"
"Ah, Nymphadora. Your charming muggle friend has volunteered a great deal of information. Like where you were heading tonight."
"No...he wouldn't!"
"He has. And if you work with us, you silly girl, we might spare your life," Malfoy drawled. "Give us the location of the Order of Phoenix!" He commanded. "IMPERIO!"
A second before, Tonks cried, "SUMMONS!" Her mind focused sharply. It did not stop Malfoy's unforgivable curse.
"Where is the Order of Phoenix?" Malfoy repeated determinedly. Tonks felt that wave of peace, of contentment that would continue if she only obeyed. But she would not.
"It's...in...your...pants!" She mustered resolutely, hoping against hope that her spell had worked, and help would be here soon.
Fire glinted in his cruel, grey eyes. "I TOLD YOU TO GIVE ME THE LOCATION OF THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX! TELL ME NOW! CRUCIO!"
A sharp, unrelenting pain coursed through every nerve of her body, and she fell to the ground. Her screams she contained inside. She would not give him the satisfaction. But the pain, the hurt, burned every cell, torturing her in a way she had never known. How she was compelled to tell him, it would be so easy, then the pain might stop. Tears streamed down her face as she writhed on the pavement.
She was just about to give in when he came flying in, alight. Aspiration flooded through her as Remus Lupin charged in on the scene, shouting and making a slashing movement with wand that knocked both Death Eaters off their feet. Finally, Tonks was released from her suffering, and the effect of the Cruciatus Curse ebbed away. Shaking slightly, she looked up to see them dueling. Crabbe had directed a spell that Lupin evaded the brunt of, but cut him across the cheek. He turned to her, "On three, love. One, two..."
"STUPIFY!" They cried in unison, and Malfoy and Crabbe went down, and this time they did not get up. Lupin rushed over to Tonks, who was on her feet but unsteady.
"I'm fine, Remus," she insisted. "Let's see to those two." She fortified herself and they marched over, Lupin keeping a diligent eye on his young partner.
He pointed his wand to the sky and sent blue and gold sparks, alerting Ministry Law Enforcement.
Marcus stumbled forward. "What have you done?" Tonks exacted, her tone shrill. "What have you told them?" Her voice rose more than an octave.
"Everything I knew. And they helped me to see the truth," he stated flatly. "You can kill me now, half-breed," he said to Lupin, "I've done my best to save you, Tonks."
"You idiot," she whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek. "You nearly had us killed."
"I was trying to make you see the truth. Besides, if you're not with me, then that's how I'd prefer you. Better dead than mixing with this crowd." With a nod, he indicated Remus. "Werewolf. That's right, I know what you are!" he spat.
"How could you." She trembled and raised her wand, but Lupin beat her to it, issuing an incantation to modify Marcus's memory. Stunned, he fell to the ground as two Ministry Aurors apperated by their sides.
Tonks collapsed into Remus's chest, and the Aurors attended to the remnants of the altercation. He led her aside and embraced her.
"It's ok, Tonk's, it's over."
Another Writer's Note- I think that was the first action scene I ever wrote. How was it? Guess what's coming up? If you guessed uber-fluff, then your right! ;) Please review!