Why?
Why did she have to be so clumsy?
Nursing a scratched arm, Tonks wandered into the living room and curled up into her favourite chair next to the window. Looking onto the wooded garden, Tonks watched as Ron and Harry threw a quaffle to each other while Hermione and Ginny looked of with apathy.
Blinking sleepily, Tonks kicked off her heavy boots and brought her legs up to her chest, entwining her arms around them. Thinking back on the events of the morning and afternoon, Tonks felt glad that the order had finally left Grimmauld Place. It was a huge burden lifted from her.
Least of all for Sirius' sake.
"Come on then you two. Show me how good you've become in those horrible training sessions at Hogwarts!"
Tonks started slightly as Charlie's voice drifted through the open Georgian window. Peeking over her chair once more she watched as the red headed dragon tamer tackled his brother to the ground. Tonks stifled a giggle as Bill and Ginny joined in the ruckus. Hermione was laughing heartily and Harry was smiling at the row, albeit weakly.
Tonks grinned. She knew how hard it was to lose a father having done so herself and it was obvious that was what Sirius was to Harry. It was a definite positive sign that a little spark of his old self was at last beginning to shine through the sorrow.
"Tonks?" Tonks jumped slightly and lost her balance. Crying out softly, she tumbled off her chair to the rolling eyes of Molly Weasley. "Are you alright dear?"
"Fine." Tonks' reply was short and she stood up quickly. "What do you want?"
"I wondered if you could help me by setting up the tables. It's such a lovely evening I thought we could have dinner outside."
Tonks perked up immediately. "Really? Thank you!" Tonks give Molly a swift hug and put her feet into her shoes, not tying the laces, and ran through the kitchen. It was a miracle that she didn't trip but she arrived into the garden at the left of the kitchen safely. Trying hard to remember the incantation to conjure the tables from the kitchen out into the garden, Tonks drew her wand and cast the spell, causing the desired effect to happen.
The tables arrived into the garden without any hassle and slowly, Tonks dropped them onto the soft grass causing a muffled thud. Next, she cast 12 chairs which were all different shapes and sizes suited to their occupier. She was quite proud of this accomplishment. It was something her mother had taught her as a little girl, and that was to charm the chairs so that the person most suited to them would instantly sit in them without knowing why they felt attached to them. Tonks had found that it was very useful to discover untrustworthy or dark people at the table. She was quite certain that none of the Weasleys, Hermione and Harry was evil but... why couldn't she be a bit nosy?
Happy that nothing yet had exploded, Tonks made up 12 plates and set them onto the table. Picking up three she turned to lay them in the correct places when a deep voice from behind, startled her.
"Do you need any help?"
She dropped the plates promptly and they shattered loudly into large pieces. Tonks shut her eyes, grimacing with embarrassment but seconds alter she could hear a deep hearty laugh. Opening her eyes slowly, Tonks saw Charlie leaning on the table infront of her grinning broadly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you." He waved his hand lazily at the debris of the dinner ware and the pierced repaired themselves instantly.
Tonks surveyed him quickly, taking in the tan coloured shirt and brown baggy trousers. His arms were muscular and tanned with burns apparent all the way up. At the end of them, on his wrist, was a small wooden, beaded bracelet with a minute dragon that was beating its wings up and down of its own accord. Tonks could see the bitten nails from where she was standing and smiled. She had always found that endearing in men.
"What's happened now?!" Molly came out of the house and walked over to where Tonks and Charlie were standing. "Tonks, what have you done?"
"Nothing." Charlie smiled at his mother and lifted the newly repaired plates. "I dropped some plates while I was laying them out. Tonks has done a great job in laying the table. Look." Tonks watched as Molly surveyed the table with a smile.
"Wonderful dear. I'm sorry for snapping. It looks lovely. Oh and Charlie dear, be more careful will you. We can't go about breaking plates all day."
Charlie sniggered as his mother returned into the house and his gaze once again fixed on Tonks', a knowing and cheerful glint in his eyes. Smiling still, he waved his wand and the plates along with cutlery that he had conjured, from apparently nowhere, placed themselves neatly in the correct places. He turned to leave but paused and seconds later he came to Tonks' side and put his mouth to her ear. She felt he heart beat increase dramatically and scolded herself for getting so intrigued by the mysterious Weasley she had until this morning never met.
"Tonks?" Tonks made a noise of recognition as Charlie came closer still. "Try not to break any more things. I can't be around to save your neck all the time." He winked and suddenly ran off to the others where upon he threw himself at Ginny and tickled her until she was pink in the face from laughing so hard. Bill and Ron were reaching from her sides, teasing the youngest Weasley mercilessly while Hermione and Harry gazed on in amusement.
It was only when her lips were beginning to become dry that Tonks realised she had her mouth open in confusion and disbelief. Shutting it quickly, Tonks sat down on the chair best suited to her (a chunky sort of chair with wide arms and a velvet pillow seat) and thought about how she had felt when Charlie was near her. How could a man who she had known for a day make her feel like a school child?
Of course. She was still a school child around Charlie. Who didn't remember the fit Gryffindor, best seeker in a century? Could have played for England, they said, but went chasing dragons instead. Tonks laughed remembering Charlie's earlier comment. He would have never remembered her.
She could still see her face in her mind, clearly and without vagueness.
She had been a skinny witch, perfect for a chaser as she could fly fast and accurate. Her fly away hair had been a dull brown falling in loose waves. That was until she had learnt how to use her metamorphous powers to make herself a stunning beauty. She had changed her hair to lie in golden ringlets, her liquid brown eyes, changed to a sapphire blue shade. There was no doubt that many boys wanted her, and she wanted many of them. But she could never have Charlie Weasley.
Sure, he had had women, he must have, but he never slept around. For that, she was almost proud of. But now, as she met him all these years later, he didn't have any idea who she was.
Perhaps that's because you've stopped being so fake and started living for who you are.
Nevertheless it hurt a little. After all, she had played against him in every match against Gryffindor. She thought he would have least remembered something.
Remus remember... your boyfriend?
Tonks thoughts suddenly flew to Remus. It was 6 o'clock. In a couple of hours, Remus would have transformed and would be alone in their flat. For a brief second, Tonks wondered if she would ignore Remus' warning and go to sit with him anyway, but sense told her that it would be folly and after the attack on Kingsley, she had to agree.
Merlin, she wished time would just turn back to the previous summer. Although the threat of Voldemort still loomed, it was a so much happier time. Tonks had just been invited into a new family, something that without Kingsley she would've had in a long time and Sirius would still be with them.
She could hear the familiar sounds of Sirius' last moments and shuddered, relieving the events before she herself was struck down to the floor. Her mind tended to repeat the moments before Sirius' passing frequently as if trying to taunt her. How she wished she could just go back and change things. But being an auror for a year had taught her many things and one of the largest was the fact that you simply do not change time, no matter how strong your desire is.
Tonks brushed her hair back, annoyed that her thoughts would still drift to Sirius when she was feeling weak, tired or upset. Sighing to herself, she thought she would take a walk after dinner. It had been a couple of weeks since she had last been to her favourite place in the Weasley estate. It was a beautiful clearing in which Remus had declared his love for her in. She would never forget the moments of that evening. It had been the night Arthur Weasley was attacked by the snake belonging to Voldemort. They had been unaware of anything until Molly and Bill had rushed off to the hospital.
Tonks could remember her and Remus reaching Grimmauld Place and watching the agony on the Weasley children and Sirius' faces. If felt silly now as she remembered that all she cared about was Remus as he went to find Dumbledore and Hestia.
Tonks looked over to Molly who had just left the house with a large dish in her hand. Charlie and the others all looked over to her as she placed the dish onto the table.
"Come on you lot. Dinner's up!"
Several minutes later the Weasley family and Tonks were sitting down. She beamed at Bill who was sat opposite her next to Charlie. He was smiling in a knowing way and Tonks frowned, still grinning as the eldest Weasley son whispered to Charlie. She vaguely noticed that the chair Charlie had sat in was squashy like her own with wooden carvings around the solid, circular base. It had a high back that ended in a point, and over the back, there was a dragon slipping up it.
Perfect.
Tonks reached over to a bowl of lettuce and tipped a pile on her plate. Ginny was one side of her, Ron the other. Ginny was sat on a delicate chair with circular feet and beautiful carved roses on the side. Ron on the other hand, who was seated at the top of the table, was perched on an oak throne like seat padded with burgundy satin. The carvings on his chair were slightly more distinguished and Tonks could have sworn that they resembled the very carvings that decorated the walls of the ministry of magic.
"Did you see the Cannon's play on Saturday Tonks?"
Tonks grinned at Ron who was looking eagerly at her. "I did indeed, they were fantastic! Remus and I thought the game would be over in a flash, the Turnhill's were so good but the Cannon's fought well!"
"I know! I was so pleased when Bill said they won--"
"Seen Dean this holiday?"
Tonks raised her eyebrows as Ginny blushed and Hermione looked accusingly at her. Ron rolled his eyes and went back to Harry but Tonks turned to listen to the girl's conversation. "--because I really don't think he's the one for you. You would do so much better with someone like... well, I don't know..."
"Harry, perhaps," Tonks added helpfully, her lips straining to not form a smile. This was an ongoing conversation between the young women that Tonks adored getting involved in. Ginny glared but Hermione was looking thoughtful.
"Oh yes, well I suppose... I didn't really think of him but yes. Of course, it's perfect! He's over Cho now--"
"Gee thanks." Ginny scowled. "I'd hate to date someone not actually interested in me..."
Tonks looked across to Harry who was sat in between Bill and Ron. Thankfully, the table was loud enough to cover the girl's conversation but Tonks couldn't help wish Harry could hear what they were saying. Whether she imagined it or not -and she was certain she had not- Harry was certainly looking at Ginny differently than the previous year. If Tonks didn't know better, she could've sworn that Harry was beginning to develop feelings for her, feelings that only Ron and Hermione were better at covering.
"So what's the worst boyfriend you've ever had Tonks?"
Tonks grinned inwardly as Ginny turned to her, shielding Hermione from view. Hermione looked torn between apology and smugness. Tonks thought hard. She hadn't dated many men, only Remus was her first steady boyfriend. Ron and Harry broke off their conversation, their eyes fixed onto hers. Her mind landing on a perfect incident, Tonks smiled and began to speak.
"I know. It was my seventh year at Hogwarts. I went home for Christmas to see my mum. It was freezing cold and snowing so I decided one day to call up some of my old muggle friends and to go snowball fighting. I lived near the sea so being the idiots we were; we went down across to the pier and started throwing the snow at each other."
"Like I said, it was i freezing /i cold and I was shivering madly. None the less a boy, who had been my first boyfriend, bet me that I wouldn't go swimming. I'm rubbish at swimming but as I was of age I figured it wouldn't hurt to use a little magic..." Tonks grinned as the other raised their eyebrows and chuckled. Suddenly, Tonks looked across at Charlie as he cursed loudly. The table had gone deathly silent and Molly and Arthur were looking at him with glaring faces. Tonks watched slowly as a red blush crept up Charlie's neck. Feeling his embarrassment,
"So, casting a swimming and heating spell, I walked down to the pier, took off my clothes and that was the last bet he ever made with me. AND I got about 50 phone numbers!" Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Harry all laughed loudly and Tonks grinned, glad that she had removed the attention from Charlie. Slowly, he looked up. Tonks winked at him and gave him a small grin before returning to the others.
"You really did that?" Harry said quietly, a grin playing at his mouth.
"I certainly did, and I was glad too! You should have seen his face. It was worth the odd looks I kept getting from the neighbours for days after.
They all laughed again and Tonks took the opportunity to glance quickly at Charlie. She saw Bill and him whispering under there breaths and suddenly had a mad urge to go and sit with them.
Remus.
Tonks sighed; praying almost contritely that the werewolf was all right, her thoughts never truly leaving Charlie.
Why did she have to be so clumsy?
Nursing a scratched arm, Tonks wandered into the living room and curled up into her favourite chair next to the window. Looking onto the wooded garden, Tonks watched as Ron and Harry threw a quaffle to each other while Hermione and Ginny looked of with apathy.
Blinking sleepily, Tonks kicked off her heavy boots and brought her legs up to her chest, entwining her arms around them. Thinking back on the events of the morning and afternoon, Tonks felt glad that the order had finally left Grimmauld Place. It was a huge burden lifted from her.
Least of all for Sirius' sake.
"Come on then you two. Show me how good you've become in those horrible training sessions at Hogwarts!"
Tonks started slightly as Charlie's voice drifted through the open Georgian window. Peeking over her chair once more she watched as the red headed dragon tamer tackled his brother to the ground. Tonks stifled a giggle as Bill and Ginny joined in the ruckus. Hermione was laughing heartily and Harry was smiling at the row, albeit weakly.
Tonks grinned. She knew how hard it was to lose a father having done so herself and it was obvious that was what Sirius was to Harry. It was a definite positive sign that a little spark of his old self was at last beginning to shine through the sorrow.
"Tonks?" Tonks jumped slightly and lost her balance. Crying out softly, she tumbled off her chair to the rolling eyes of Molly Weasley. "Are you alright dear?"
"Fine." Tonks' reply was short and she stood up quickly. "What do you want?"
"I wondered if you could help me by setting up the tables. It's such a lovely evening I thought we could have dinner outside."
Tonks perked up immediately. "Really? Thank you!" Tonks give Molly a swift hug and put her feet into her shoes, not tying the laces, and ran through the kitchen. It was a miracle that she didn't trip but she arrived into the garden at the left of the kitchen safely. Trying hard to remember the incantation to conjure the tables from the kitchen out into the garden, Tonks drew her wand and cast the spell, causing the desired effect to happen.
The tables arrived into the garden without any hassle and slowly, Tonks dropped them onto the soft grass causing a muffled thud. Next, she cast 12 chairs which were all different shapes and sizes suited to their occupier. She was quite proud of this accomplishment. It was something her mother had taught her as a little girl, and that was to charm the chairs so that the person most suited to them would instantly sit in them without knowing why they felt attached to them. Tonks had found that it was very useful to discover untrustworthy or dark people at the table. She was quite certain that none of the Weasleys, Hermione and Harry was evil but... why couldn't she be a bit nosy?
Happy that nothing yet had exploded, Tonks made up 12 plates and set them onto the table. Picking up three she turned to lay them in the correct places when a deep voice from behind, startled her.
"Do you need any help?"
She dropped the plates promptly and they shattered loudly into large pieces. Tonks shut her eyes, grimacing with embarrassment but seconds alter she could hear a deep hearty laugh. Opening her eyes slowly, Tonks saw Charlie leaning on the table infront of her grinning broadly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you." He waved his hand lazily at the debris of the dinner ware and the pierced repaired themselves instantly.
Tonks surveyed him quickly, taking in the tan coloured shirt and brown baggy trousers. His arms were muscular and tanned with burns apparent all the way up. At the end of them, on his wrist, was a small wooden, beaded bracelet with a minute dragon that was beating its wings up and down of its own accord. Tonks could see the bitten nails from where she was standing and smiled. She had always found that endearing in men.
"What's happened now?!" Molly came out of the house and walked over to where Tonks and Charlie were standing. "Tonks, what have you done?"
"Nothing." Charlie smiled at his mother and lifted the newly repaired plates. "I dropped some plates while I was laying them out. Tonks has done a great job in laying the table. Look." Tonks watched as Molly surveyed the table with a smile.
"Wonderful dear. I'm sorry for snapping. It looks lovely. Oh and Charlie dear, be more careful will you. We can't go about breaking plates all day."
Charlie sniggered as his mother returned into the house and his gaze once again fixed on Tonks', a knowing and cheerful glint in his eyes. Smiling still, he waved his wand and the plates along with cutlery that he had conjured, from apparently nowhere, placed themselves neatly in the correct places. He turned to leave but paused and seconds later he came to Tonks' side and put his mouth to her ear. She felt he heart beat increase dramatically and scolded herself for getting so intrigued by the mysterious Weasley she had until this morning never met.
"Tonks?" Tonks made a noise of recognition as Charlie came closer still. "Try not to break any more things. I can't be around to save your neck all the time." He winked and suddenly ran off to the others where upon he threw himself at Ginny and tickled her until she was pink in the face from laughing so hard. Bill and Ron were reaching from her sides, teasing the youngest Weasley mercilessly while Hermione and Harry gazed on in amusement.
It was only when her lips were beginning to become dry that Tonks realised she had her mouth open in confusion and disbelief. Shutting it quickly, Tonks sat down on the chair best suited to her (a chunky sort of chair with wide arms and a velvet pillow seat) and thought about how she had felt when Charlie was near her. How could a man who she had known for a day make her feel like a school child?
Of course. She was still a school child around Charlie. Who didn't remember the fit Gryffindor, best seeker in a century? Could have played for England, they said, but went chasing dragons instead. Tonks laughed remembering Charlie's earlier comment. He would have never remembered her.
She could still see her face in her mind, clearly and without vagueness.
She had been a skinny witch, perfect for a chaser as she could fly fast and accurate. Her fly away hair had been a dull brown falling in loose waves. That was until she had learnt how to use her metamorphous powers to make herself a stunning beauty. She had changed her hair to lie in golden ringlets, her liquid brown eyes, changed to a sapphire blue shade. There was no doubt that many boys wanted her, and she wanted many of them. But she could never have Charlie Weasley.
Sure, he had had women, he must have, but he never slept around. For that, she was almost proud of. But now, as she met him all these years later, he didn't have any idea who she was.
Perhaps that's because you've stopped being so fake and started living for who you are.
Nevertheless it hurt a little. After all, she had played against him in every match against Gryffindor. She thought he would have least remembered something.
Remus remember... your boyfriend?
Tonks thoughts suddenly flew to Remus. It was 6 o'clock. In a couple of hours, Remus would have transformed and would be alone in their flat. For a brief second, Tonks wondered if she would ignore Remus' warning and go to sit with him anyway, but sense told her that it would be folly and after the attack on Kingsley, she had to agree.
Merlin, she wished time would just turn back to the previous summer. Although the threat of Voldemort still loomed, it was a so much happier time. Tonks had just been invited into a new family, something that without Kingsley she would've had in a long time and Sirius would still be with them.
She could hear the familiar sounds of Sirius' last moments and shuddered, relieving the events before she herself was struck down to the floor. Her mind tended to repeat the moments before Sirius' passing frequently as if trying to taunt her. How she wished she could just go back and change things. But being an auror for a year had taught her many things and one of the largest was the fact that you simply do not change time, no matter how strong your desire is.
Tonks brushed her hair back, annoyed that her thoughts would still drift to Sirius when she was feeling weak, tired or upset. Sighing to herself, she thought she would take a walk after dinner. It had been a couple of weeks since she had last been to her favourite place in the Weasley estate. It was a beautiful clearing in which Remus had declared his love for her in. She would never forget the moments of that evening. It had been the night Arthur Weasley was attacked by the snake belonging to Voldemort. They had been unaware of anything until Molly and Bill had rushed off to the hospital.
Tonks could remember her and Remus reaching Grimmauld Place and watching the agony on the Weasley children and Sirius' faces. If felt silly now as she remembered that all she cared about was Remus as he went to find Dumbledore and Hestia.
Tonks looked over to Molly who had just left the house with a large dish in her hand. Charlie and the others all looked over to her as she placed the dish onto the table.
"Come on you lot. Dinner's up!"
Several minutes later the Weasley family and Tonks were sitting down. She beamed at Bill who was sat opposite her next to Charlie. He was smiling in a knowing way and Tonks frowned, still grinning as the eldest Weasley son whispered to Charlie. She vaguely noticed that the chair Charlie had sat in was squashy like her own with wooden carvings around the solid, circular base. It had a high back that ended in a point, and over the back, there was a dragon slipping up it.
Perfect.
Tonks reached over to a bowl of lettuce and tipped a pile on her plate. Ginny was one side of her, Ron the other. Ginny was sat on a delicate chair with circular feet and beautiful carved roses on the side. Ron on the other hand, who was seated at the top of the table, was perched on an oak throne like seat padded with burgundy satin. The carvings on his chair were slightly more distinguished and Tonks could have sworn that they resembled the very carvings that decorated the walls of the ministry of magic.
"Did you see the Cannon's play on Saturday Tonks?"
Tonks grinned at Ron who was looking eagerly at her. "I did indeed, they were fantastic! Remus and I thought the game would be over in a flash, the Turnhill's were so good but the Cannon's fought well!"
"I know! I was so pleased when Bill said they won--"
"Seen Dean this holiday?"
Tonks raised her eyebrows as Ginny blushed and Hermione looked accusingly at her. Ron rolled his eyes and went back to Harry but Tonks turned to listen to the girl's conversation. "--because I really don't think he's the one for you. You would do so much better with someone like... well, I don't know..."
"Harry, perhaps," Tonks added helpfully, her lips straining to not form a smile. This was an ongoing conversation between the young women that Tonks adored getting involved in. Ginny glared but Hermione was looking thoughtful.
"Oh yes, well I suppose... I didn't really think of him but yes. Of course, it's perfect! He's over Cho now--"
"Gee thanks." Ginny scowled. "I'd hate to date someone not actually interested in me..."
Tonks looked across to Harry who was sat in between Bill and Ron. Thankfully, the table was loud enough to cover the girl's conversation but Tonks couldn't help wish Harry could hear what they were saying. Whether she imagined it or not -and she was certain she had not- Harry was certainly looking at Ginny differently than the previous year. If Tonks didn't know better, she could've sworn that Harry was beginning to develop feelings for her, feelings that only Ron and Hermione were better at covering.
"So what's the worst boyfriend you've ever had Tonks?"
Tonks grinned inwardly as Ginny turned to her, shielding Hermione from view. Hermione looked torn between apology and smugness. Tonks thought hard. She hadn't dated many men, only Remus was her first steady boyfriend. Ron and Harry broke off their conversation, their eyes fixed onto hers. Her mind landing on a perfect incident, Tonks smiled and began to speak.
"I know. It was my seventh year at Hogwarts. I went home for Christmas to see my mum. It was freezing cold and snowing so I decided one day to call up some of my old muggle friends and to go snowball fighting. I lived near the sea so being the idiots we were; we went down across to the pier and started throwing the snow at each other."
"Like I said, it was i freezing /i cold and I was shivering madly. None the less a boy, who had been my first boyfriend, bet me that I wouldn't go swimming. I'm rubbish at swimming but as I was of age I figured it wouldn't hurt to use a little magic..." Tonks grinned as the other raised their eyebrows and chuckled. Suddenly, Tonks looked across at Charlie as he cursed loudly. The table had gone deathly silent and Molly and Arthur were looking at him with glaring faces. Tonks watched slowly as a red blush crept up Charlie's neck. Feeling his embarrassment,
"So, casting a swimming and heating spell, I walked down to the pier, took off my clothes and that was the last bet he ever made with me. AND I got about 50 phone numbers!" Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Harry all laughed loudly and Tonks grinned, glad that she had removed the attention from Charlie. Slowly, he looked up. Tonks winked at him and gave him a small grin before returning to the others.
"You really did that?" Harry said quietly, a grin playing at his mouth.
"I certainly did, and I was glad too! You should have seen his face. It was worth the odd looks I kept getting from the neighbours for days after.
They all laughed again and Tonks took the opportunity to glance quickly at Charlie. She saw Bill and him whispering under there breaths and suddenly had a mad urge to go and sit with them.
Remus.
Tonks sighed; praying almost contritely that the werewolf was all right, her thoughts never truly leaving Charlie.