The Co-stars

"Nymphadora?" came the voice which proceeded the knock at the door. "In ten."

"It's Tonks, damn it, Tonks," the actress in question muttered, but without its usual force since all her energy was concentrated on struggling into her corset. It was a period piece detailing the supposed love affair between Godfrey Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw, and she had the female lead.

A second knock came at the door, and Tonks' spiky pink hair all but bristled. "That was a short ten minutes!"

"Wotcher, Tonks!" the voice belonging to the knocker called through the door.

Despite the corset boning digging into her ribcage, Tonks grinned. "Wotcher, Cho!" she called back, greeting her agent and friend. "Come in and give me a hand with this thing, will you? No wonder people thought that women during our founders' time were weak. They couldn't breathe."

"You got that right." The door opened and closed, and Tonks inhaled sharply as Cho Chang's fingers tugged on the bodice. "Sorry about that. They certainly had a high pain threshold back then, didn't they? Is that too tight?"

"It will have to do," Tonks gulped. A mischievous grin spread across her face. "You don't think we could get McMillan into one of these, do you?"

"I doubt it," Cho shrugged. "We'd certainly have some fun trying though." The smile left her face. "Um, that was what Ernie wanted me to talk to you about, actually. He said that during the last shot, you were looking a little, well-"

"Porky?" Tonks suggested.

"Rubenesque is the word I'd use," Cho said delicately. Her cheeks had gone pink.

"I bet it's not the one he used though," Tonks scowled. The deepening of Cho's blush confirmed this to be the case. "Oh, don't you look embarrassed. I know you're just the messenger. The nerve of him. I'm thinner that the majority of women outside of the industry! Pompous git."

"Perhaps he just thought that with your – um – ability, it's not such a huge demand to make," Cho suggested apologetically.

"Oh, don't defend him. You're too nice. He's a prima donna and you know it." Ernie McMillan was also a young and precociously talented up-and-coming director. Which was probably why he was a prima donna. The problem with being a metamorphagous was that she was hardly ever herself. After all, why show up for a date looking like her when she could go as Claudia Schiffer or Penelope Cruz? But as resentful as she felt about her talent sometimes, she had to concede that it had helped her out a lot in her current career. She had played everything from a six year old werewolf (her Golden Centaur-nominated role) to Cornelius Fudge in a dramatic reproduction of the late Minister of Magic's life.

Sighing, she walked over the full-length mirror and screwed her face in concentration. Seconds later elbow-length blonde curls cascaded down her back and green eyes blinked back at her. And she had successfully fulfilled Ernie's request and was now a full dress size smaller.

"Um, Tonks?" Cho was at her elbow. "You know, I don't think Ernie meant to go smaller everywhere."

"I can believe that," Tonks muttered. A second screwed up face later, and a full bust strained at her bodice. She looked at Cho and realised that her manager was struggling not to laugh. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," Cho giggled. "You're right, he is a git. But you look constipated when you do that."

Tonks made the face a third time and laughed along with her. It really did look silly. "I thought it was fashionable for women to have flat chests in Rowena's time. Apparently men thought they were sexy."

"I can't believe there was ever a time men thought flat chests were sexy," Cho shook her head. "You know, perhaps that's a point you'd want to raise with Ernie since he strives for historical accuracy." They looked at each other and laughed. Ernie had a very creative way of interpreting the facts, with an emphasis on "interpretation."

The earlier knock repeated itself. "Nymphadora, you're on."

"Coming," Tonks called back. The boning prodded at her, and she yelped. "Here's hoping I pass out five minutes into production."

Cho was looking at her as if she had suggested they both fly Hippogriffs to the moon. "Why don't you just make your waist smaller, if it's such a problem?"

"Right." Tonks' face in the mirror now wore a sheepish grin. "I was about to suggest that." Cho snorted in disbelief. She shrunk her waist several inches and basked in a now leisurely deep breath. "Let's go."

"Today you're doing the scene in which Salazar Slytherin propositions you in the school library," Cho debriefed her as they walked to the set, Tonks holding her skirts up out of the mud. Among other things, Rowena was said to be responsible for breaking up the famous Godfrey/Salazar friendship. According to History McMillan, that was. Salazar was played by Lee Jordan, a school chum of Fred and George Weasley and a one-time member of the Order of the Phoenix. Tonks liked Lee, and not just because she was certain it had been he who leviated Blast-Ended Skrewts into Ernie's trailer. "You know, the one where you run away from him and he tears your skirts. And I have been told that Lee ate an onion when he found out what scene you'd be doing, so don't say I didn't warn you."

"Really?" Tonks brightened. As they walked past the crew's food table, she reached out and grabbed a fistful of garlic bread. "Just a friendly reminder that he's only the second biggest practical joker on the set," she explained at Cho's shocked expression, then crammed the bread into her mouth. Soon it would be Lee's turn to make a face.

Ernie was holding court when they arrived. In between shrieks that he had ordered strawberry tea, not strawberry flavoured tea, he was moaning to his assistant, "Susan, I can't take this anymore!" Susan Bones was patting his hand in a soothing manner, yet shared a wry look with Tonks and Cho when they arrived.

"Ah, Nymphadora." Ernie was all smiles upon noticing his star actress. "How is my leading lady?"

"Awaiting to be ravished by Salazar Slytherin." For her part, Tonks could only maintain her smile by picturing a cream pie being thrown at the director's head. "Where is he?"

Ernie moaned and buried his face in his hands. "There's a slight problem," Susan said by way of explanation. "Wardrobe ran out of fabric for Lee Jordan's costume and the second batch only came in yesterday afternoon. They worked through the night, but they were unable to finish it in time for shooting today. You'll have to do the love scene with Godfrey Gryffindor."

Gr-reat. Tonks was now doubly grateful she had downsized her stomach and upsized, er, her feminine wiles. Despite whatever Witches Weekly had gushed about her being the luckiest witch in Britain when it revealed who her male co-stars were, love scenes were the pits. Not that she minded being in the all-together with an attractive male. She just wasn't entirely comfortable being in the all-together with an attractive male when fifty members of the crew were hovering around and a camera was positioned inches from her face and less, er, G-rated areas of her body. "So what's the problem?" she asked. "Just get Smith in here and we'll shoot." She had intended the garlic breath for Lee, but it wouldn't go entirely to waste on Zacharias. Sometimes she wished the lanky blond Hufflepuff would get shot in a way that had nothing to do with a camera.

"Zacharias is no longer with us." Susan had to raise her voice over a second moan from Ernie.

"He's kicked the bucket?" Tonks suggested hopefully. Cho gave her a pained look.

"No." The slight smile on Susan's face hinted that she may have shared Tonks' wish. "He's left the film. He's decided to revive his singing career."

"Singing career?" Tonks repeated. "You're too kind. Oh yes, I quite agree," she deadpanned after yet another wail from Ernie. "In his case being a one-hit wonder was still one hit too many. His voice is a terrible tragedy to revisit upon the wizarding world, especially with the festive season approaching. Now, now, Ernie. There's no need to fret. I'll tell you what - when his new single is released I'll buy you some earplugs. Wondrous Muggle invention – very effective. I couldn't have survived a life-in relationship with Viktor Krum without my pair." Cho, who had started to drink the rejected strawberry flavoured tea, choked into her cup.

"But we've done quite well given the situation," Susan said. "We've found someone to play Godfrey. An unknown, but very talented. And with a reputation of being easy to work with." Was it her imagination or did Susan give Ernie a sidelong look after that last part? Tonks sighed inwardly. Now she was going to have to kiss someone she'd never met, let alone talked to, before. It was a funny profession.

"And he still hasn't arrived on set!" Ernie bawled.

"His manager only finalised the contract this morning," his assistant hastened to reassure him. If Susan ever left her present job, she would be well-qualified for a position in the United Wizarding Nations. "I'm sure he'll arrive as soon as he's able. He's very punctual."

"I don't care if he's punctual!" Ernie burst out. "I want him on set now!" Tonks and Cho shared a look. Susan recommenced the patting of Ernie's shoulder. "Susan, do you not realise what a catastrophe this is?" Ernie spun around and grabbed her wrist. "To have an unknown male in the lead of a big budget film is career suicide! How will I ever justify this to the studios? How will I-"

There was a loud crack, making the three women jump and Ernie shriek and topple backwards in his director's chair. A stockily-built wizard stood before them, blinking hooded brown eyes quizzically. It took Tonks a few moments to recognise him, and even then it was only from Weasley family portraits, never from an in-the-flesh meeting. "Charlie?"

Charlie Weasley bent down and pulled Ernie to his feet, who sniffed and began brushing off his coat sleeves. "Should I know you from somewhere?" he asked once his attention had turned to her.

"No, but I feel as though we have met before, I've heard so much about you," Tonks chattered on eagerly. Cho and Susan exchanged bemused looks. "I was in the Order with your brother, and you too, although we've never met personally. And I know Fred and George, and Ron, and Ginny – she's a great kid. Yes, I feel as though I have met you."

"Er-" Charlie stuttered.

"Tonks, you're in costume," Cho reminded her helpfully.

"Oops," Tonks grinned. To Charlie, she explained, "I'm a metamorphagous, meaning I can change my appearance at will without the aid of potions. Like an amigalus, except I can only change into another human, not an animal. And also unlike them, we're born, not made, but the training is still very difficult."

"Yes, I do believe she helped you out numerous times in her years as an Order member." Tragically, Ernie had started up again. "And now she devotes her talent to the still higher art of acting."

Again, Tonks only maintained her equilibrium by picturing a cream pie crashing into Ernie's head.

"So, let's roll, shall we?" the director suggested breezily.

"Er, now?" Tonks blinked.

"Yes, why not?" Ernie continued. "Let's do a little rehearsal now to make sure that Cameron here-"

"Charlie," the second Weasley interceded quietly.

"-has chemistry with my leading lady."

"But I haven't even seen the script for this scene yet," Charlie pointed out.

"Oh, don't worry about that, there's hardly any dialogue in this scene," Ernie assured him. Charlie looked more anxious. Tonks smiled inwardly. Evidently the boy did have some knowledge of the industry. "And I know your costume hasn't been altered yet, but never fear, your clothes wont be staying on very long. Now, no pressure, I just want to see how you two get along – Rosmerta," he called over his shoulder, "once the costume is ready, take Cameron here into the make-up tent and make sure that he has no blemishes on his derriere."

Charlie blanched.

"Just relax, man," said a familiar voice that made Tonk's heart sink into her stomach. "Think of it as an on-the-job perk."

"Lee, what are you doing here?" she said bluntly without even turning around. "You're not on until this evening."

"Oh, but darling, I'm never off," Lee said in a fake-showbiz schmaltz. Under duress, he had foregone his customary dreadlocks for ringlets for the role. "And I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Just adlib for now, Cameron," Ernie instructed, easing back onto his throne-like director's chair and idly shooing them into position. "The words are only secondary in importance for this scene. Aaaaannnd...action!"

Tonks as Rowena was standing by the fireplace holding a book. Charlie as Godfrey approached. Tonks very much as Tonks inclined her head slightly, suggesting that Charlie look at her book. Charlie did so, saw the script nestled in the pages and gave her a grateful look.

"I'm surprised to find you alone," he said.

"I'm always alone," Tonks said.

"But you're always surrounded by people. People who adore you."

According to her interpretation of the script, Tonks laid the book flat on the table and turned around to face Charlie for emphasis. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ernie nodding approvingly. "I can't imagine a predicament in which one feels more alone."

"And do you feel alone now?" Charlie was closer to her now. His stockiness was deceptive. He was actually quite tall, like most of the Weasley clan.

"I may do," she said coyly. "Come closer."

"Now?"

He had moved closer still. She could see little gold specks in his dark eyes. She already liked his earthly, honest interpretation of Godfrey better than Zacharius's aloof aristocrat. "Less so," she said. She had lowered her chin demurely, but in the manner of a woman who wanted it to be cupped and raised for a kiss. Their bodies were parallel to each other.

Suddenly Charlie took her shoulders and pulled her roughly towards him. This time Tonks's eyes widened in genuine shock – she wasn't expecting that from him. "Now?" His voice was gruff with frustrated passion. Tonks hesitated. "I don't want you to ever feel alone again, Rowena."

"I never feel alone when I'm with you, Godfrey," she said, and kissed him.

It wasn't the spark, the sharp edge of passion that Ernie insisted had existed between the two founders. It was coming in from the cold and gradually unfolding and surrendering to the comforting warmth of a slow, steady fire. Charlie's stubble tickled against her lips. She felt a tingle in her stomach that had nothing to do with her acting ability. This could be the start of a fruitful working relationship...

"Cut!" Ernie called. Tonks gave him a resentful look. "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! You'll have every couple in a long-term relationship wanting to perform the Avada Kedvada curse on themselves with that display of raw chemistry. The most convincing cinematic pairing since Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh..." He broke up abruptly since the male half of the most convincing cinematic pairing since old Rhett and Scarlet had staggered away and thrown up.

Tonks was flabbergasted. Was she that bad of a kisser? She'd never had any complaints from Viktor, or Zacharias, or Luna – okay, so that last one was a joke. Behind her Cho was making strangled noises. Then realisation hit. "Bloody Merlin, the garlic! Oh, I'm so sorry, Charlie! I thought I was shooting with Lee today, and Cho told me that he'd eaten onions, and – I'm really, really sorry!" Behind her Lee was inconsolable with laughter. "And you will be too!" she snapped at him.

"It's okay." Charlie still looked decidedly green. "Think nothing of it."

"Talk about suffering for your art," Lee chortled.

"Okay, er, well-"For the first time Tonks had seen since shooting, Ernie actually looked embarrassed "-uh, everyone take ten, and get something to eat!"

"And Tonks can take some Tic Tacs," Lee quipped. Tonks was near the colour of one of the garish hues her hair regularly took on. She wanted to die...