chapter three
Tonks knelt by the large mahogany doors of Fudges office and peered through the keyhole. Through her restricted view she could just make out a tall gaunt woman leaning over someone. Her long black hair obscuring his face. She muttered 'crucio' and once again the hallway was filled with a young mans screams. The woman flung her head back as she roared with malicious laughter exposing her face for the first time. It was Bellatrix Lestrange, she was torturing Percy.
A wave of hot, prickly anger welled up inside Tonks. She struggled to remain calm and level headed. If she was going to tackle her aunt and save the people in the office she'd need her wits about her. She shut her eyes tight and concentrated hard. Tonks clenched her fists tight as she strained to rid her mind of everything but the person she was attempting to turn herself into .Eventually she felt her form lengthen and grow bulkier, her hair receded and her features change. In the reflection of the brass handles in front of her Tonks saw Peter Troy's angry scowl staring back.
Tonks braced herself and entered. She had been expecting there to be two guards by the door so was amazed to find that as she entered the office Bellartix's was the only wand raised.
"Oh, it's you." She snapped, irritated by the interruption. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd been told to keep the Aurors away."
"I have done," Tonks replied, struggling to keep her tone civil and avoid suspicion. "Most of them are in the entrance. They only sent a small party up here."
"Have you dealt with them?"
Tonks nodded. "We lost three before we'd even reached the stairway. And the girl was easily taken care of. We might face some problems getting out though. They'd nearly cleared the entrance by the time that we'd left."
Bellatrix shook her head and smiled knowingly. "the dementors and the rest of our followers will be arriving from Azkaban soon." She said unconcernedly. "they'll clear our path."
'so they've cleared Azkaban' Tonks thought, trying to hide her concern from Bellatrix 'I need to hurry this up and warn Kingsley!'
"We'd better get a move on if we're going to get Fudge out."
As soon as she'd said it Tonks knew that she'd made a mistake. Bellatrix's face twisted into a look of suspicion as she turned her head towards Fudges desk. Tonks eyes widened with horror as her eyes fell upon the gruesome figure sprawled on the desk. It was Fudge. He was bleeding heavily, reaching out for a bloodstained photograph of his wife and children. He was obviously dead. There was a look of immense terror on his pale face and his eyes were opened and glassy.
Bellatrix turned back to Tonks. "Who did you say you came up here with?" She asked coolly.
Tonks replied without thinking " One of the younger girls, Tonks."
"Ah Nymphadora, she's my niece you know?" Bellatrix smiled. Tonks gritted her teeth but attempted to look as though it was all news to her. "Oh yes," Bellatrix went on, " She's a metamorphmagus, working for Dumbledore to"
Tonks nodded to show that she understood. It was becoming hard for her to concentrate again, she could feel her fingernails lengthening.
Bellatrix's lips pursed slightly as she moved closer to where Percy was laying. "It's a shame that you killed her though." She grinned evilly as she kicked him in the ribs. Percy groaned and closed his eyes. "I was looking forward to seeing her again."
Tonks knew that Bellatrix had worked out who she was, She was playing with her. Tonks tried to think of something to keep the conversation going and distract her aunt from Percy "Why?" She asked her coolly, keenly aware that her hair was lengthening.
"Well I've killed everyone else in her disgraceful excuse for a family, I wanted to go for the hatrick!"
Tonks felt an unpleasant feeling rise up in her as her stomach dropped, she felt sick. As her body shrank back into it's original form her aunt cackled. Tonks didn't care, she raised her wand and aimed it at her aunts heart.
The woman stopped laughing and stared at her for a moment. She appeared to be sizing her up.
"My you look like your mother!" She exclaimed with a delighted sneer.
"What did you mean?" Tonks demanded angrily.
"When I said I was going for the hatrick?" Bellatrix enquired "Well what do you think? I killed cousin Sirius… Your mother and father. I've destroyed all the blood traitors and filth that have plagued the Black name… and you're next dear" She finished in a squeaky childish tone.
Tonks felt so angry that she could burst "THAT'S A LIE!" She roared as sparks crackled at the tip of her wand "THE DEMENTORS SUCKED THEIR SOULS!"
"Killing mummy and turning daddy into a drooling shell in a hospital bed" Bellatrix snarled evilly, a satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. " How is the old vegetable anyway?"
Tonks couldn't hold it in any longer, a jet of red light erupted from her wand tip and headed for her aunt. Bellatrix seemed to have been anticipating this. She had ducked even before Tonks had finished the curse. She raised her own wand but aimed it at Percy instead. "Drop the wand!" She ordered the panting Tonks.
Tonks merely glared at her
"Do as auntie says or I'll kill him!"
Percy's drooped eyelids widened slightly in fear. He tried to move away but Bellatrix kicked him sharply in the ribs and pinned him down. He gave a soft moan and looked over to Tonks, imploring her to do as Bellatix asked.
Tonks nodded resignedly and moving slowly crouched down placing it carefully by her feet. All the time her eyes remained fixed on her aunt. Seeing that she had won Bellatrix gave a triumphant laugh and dug the toe of her boot into Percy once again.
"Acio wand" She called almost idly as the red haired boy struggled for breath.
Knowing that there was little Tonks could do hurt her and reveling in her victory Bellatrix turned her back on her niece and walked casually over to the desk where Fudges body lay. She pushed it to the floor and settled in his leather seat, feet up on the surface.
As she did this Tonks rushed over to Percy.
He was a bit of a mess but he didn't seem to badly hurt. His cracked glasses were lying by his side and his normally neat hair was sticking up all over the place. There were small flecks of blood on his pale face but he didn't have any cuts. "Must have come from Fudge' Tonks thought as she pushed the spectacles back onto his face. 'It's probably the effects from the crutacious curse that are hurting him the most.' His muscles would ache for a while but there wouldn't be any lasting damage.
"Hi Percy" She whispered kindly " Do you know who I am?"
He nodded his head shakily. "I remember you from Hogwarts. You were a few years above me. Aren't you a metamorphmagus? You kept getting told off for turning into Dumbledore and trying to sack Snape"
"Yep" Tonks confirmed with a reminisant smile whilst still keeping an eye on Bellatrix. She was idly flipping through some files on Fudges desk and didn't seem to bothered with Tonks and Percy now that they were disarmed and therefore no longer a threat.
"I've come to save you."
"Nice job so far."
"Don't get cocky with me mate." Tonks snapped irritated by his lack of gratitude. "If it weren't for your dad I wouldn't even be up here."
"My dad?" Percy whispered "My dad sent you?
"That's what I just said didn't I?" Tonks demanded, rolling her eyes " it's a good job I like you're parents so much. If it were down to me I'd have left you here!" This was a lie of course, she'd probably even have gone up here if it was Snape being tortured but she was to mad to admit that to Percy right now.
"I hate to break up your little tiff children." Bellatrix called in a patronizing voice from behind the desk. "but My lord needs this file and I can't seem to find it. Tell me what you've don with it!" She ordered Percy.
To Tonks' surprise Percy sat up defiantly and growled at the woman. "That is a classified file for the ministers eyes only!"
"Yes well, he's dead isn't he?" She laughed cruelly. There was a slight bite of inpatients in her tone "unless you wish to join him I suggest that you cooperate."
Percy said nothing. At the mention of Fudges death a dark look of uncontrollable anger passed over his face. He managed to suppress it by taking a deep breath and allowing his chest swelled out indignantly. As it did his unbuttoned robe slid back slightly exposing a thin piece of wood in the inside pocket. Percy still had his wand! The death eaters had obviously forgotten to remove it.
As surreptitiously as she could Tonks edged her hand towards it, unfortunately for her Bellatrix had grown tired with bullying Percy. Even before Tonks' hand had moved a few inches Bellatrix had hit her with the crutacious curse.
The pain came instantly. I pushed through her body stretching from the tips of her fingers to her toes. Every inch of her skin felt as though it were being attacked with red hot needles form the inside. She writhed on the floor. Her mouth open in a silent scream of anguish. From a long way off she heard Percy pleading desperately over the top of her aunts delighted shrieks of laughter.
"Alright!" He yelled. "enough! I'll give them to you just stop!"
The pain left Tonks' body as suddenly as it had started, leaving a dull ach in its wake. Slowly Percy Weasley's gangly form swam into view. He was leaning over her handing a file to Bellatrix. As a reflex rather than any conscious decision Tonks felt her hand jerk forward and snatch up Percy's wand. Before Bellatrix had even had time to react tonks had fired the first spell that had come into her head, the jelly legs charm.
As a shocked Percy helped her heavily to her feet Tonks watched with mild satisfaction as Bellatrix stumbled backward. Her long dark hair flying wildly as her legs buckled and wobbled beneath her. She gave a scream of frustration as she clung tightly to Fudges desk.
The infuriated death eater raised her wand but couldn't take aim as her whole body was following its legs, swaying and dipping. With an immense effort she reached out desperately for something to throw. Her hands clasped themselves tightly around the golden picture frame. As she held it aloft Tonks braced herself, involuntarily closing her eyes. After a moment or two nothing had happened. Tonks' eyes snapped open and wildly searched the room. Bellatrix had disappeared.
"Where did she go?" Tonks demanded as a shaking Percy bent down and snatched up the file that Bellatrix had dropped along with Tonks' wand.
"The photo was a portekey" He explained handing her the wand "For emergencies."
"Where does it lead?" Tonks asked urgently.
Percy opened his mouth to say 'that's classified information' but buckled under Tonks' menacing glare. "To the emergency room a few corridors away" Tonks barged past him and headed off down the hall.
"Wait you can't." He stopped her.
"We have to go after her!"
"No we don't!" Percy protested. He grabbed her arm roughly and began leading the way towards the lobby, past the smashed cabinet and Troy's dead body. Tonks dug her heels in.
"She's escaping" Tonks snarled angrily, struggling against his hold. For such a lanky young man Percy was really strong
"yes she is" Percy agreed "and so are we."
"Is running away you're answer to everything?" Tonks demanded. She shook him off angrily and turned to face him. "You can run if you want, the corridors are clear and the others should have taken the hall by now. I'm going to stop her getting away again." Tonks started off again but Percy's reply stopped her dead in her tracks.
"And that'll set things right will it?" He called angrily after her "Even if you do get her then what? Arrest her? She's already said that they've taken Azkaban! The only other alternative's to kill her!" His voice had risen shrilly in its desperation. There was a hint of fear in this last comment. Tonks suspected that he really believed that she'd do it. If she was honest with herself a small part of her felt that she probably would kill her aunt given the chance.
"It won't bring him back you know?" Percy said in a patronizing tone. Tonks exploded in anger.
"SHUT UP!" She yelled marching over to him. "You don't know anything about that so shut up!"
"Will you stop attacking me and get a move on." He moaned shrilly, gesturing the way to the lobby "It wasn't my fault".
"No it was you're precious Fudges!" Tonks replied through gritted teeth.
"Mr. Fudge had absolutely NOTHING to do with that!" Percy yelled, going as red as his hair.
"If he'd have believed Dumbledore we could have stopped it."
"You don't know that for certain." Percy stammered struggling to believe it himself. He began his advance down the corridor again. Tonks moved to keep up.
"I never got the chance to find out." Tonks muttered, her eyes bright with tears "We were the ones that could have made a difference but you lot were all to frightened and arrogant to let us. Even now you're too up yourself to admit that you made a bloody mistake"
Percy hung his head slightly as she finished. He looked so miserable that Tonks felt her anger and resentment ebb away slightly. After a brief pause he lifted his head to meet her gaze. There were tears in his eyes to. "I'm sorry for my behavior." He whispered sadly I was afraid to believe it. All I saw was the chance to move up in the ministry and.."
"Don't tell me, tell your parents.." Tonks sighed "assuming we get the chance to! Oh where are we?"
Now that she and Percy had finished arguing Tonks had finally had the opportunity to take in their surroundings, they were totally unfamiliar.
"You've got us lost?" Percy moaned
"Excuse me?" Tonks snapped, her voice rising incredulously "There ARE two of us, and if I'm not mistaken this is you're department. You should have said when we were taking a wrong turn!"
"I was distracted." Percy puffed up pompously "If you weren't shouting at me I …"
"I wasn't shouting" Tonks shouted in his face.
A sudden noise broke them apart. There was a tinker of breaking glass in the next corridor accompanied by a startled cry. A burley death eater tore around the corner, wand raised.
Tonks grabbed Percy and dived behind the nearest cabinet. It exploded as the death eaters spell hit, showering the two of them in shards of glass.
"I thought that you said the corridors were clear!" Percy squeaked cowering behind her.
"Well I made a mistake didn't I?" She snapped sarcastically. Her mind raced as she tried to work out her next move. Percy's constant questions were not helping.
"What do we do?" He demanded.
Making a snap decision Tonks dived across to the cabinet opposite. "Stay here." She ordered. The young auror raised her wand and lent out into firing range. She took as careful aim as the circumstances would allow and shot a curse at the death eater. It missed and hit the bookshelf behind. The death eater whipped around shocked as the bookshelf rocked.
"Missed me!' He sneered focusing his attention back at Tonks. He'd spoken too soon though. No sooner had he turned his back on the bookshelf than it fell, crushing him. Tonks gave a relieved sigh and moved off down the corridor to check that he was dead. When she was satisfied that he was no longer a threat she turned back to Percy
"Piece of cake!" She smirked. To her surprise Percy leapt up at her brandishing his wand
"Look out!" He cried and fired past her "STUPEFY"
His spell hit the second death eater that Tonks hadn't noticed. He had been creeping up on her from behind.
She turned back stunned as the death eater slumped back unconscious "Thanks" She smiled appreciatively.
Percy was staring at his wand in disbelief "That felt good!" He exclaimed excitedly "Did you see him fly backwards? My heart's pumping a mile a minuet."
Tonks smiled and continued off down the corridor, Percy springing along excitedly beside her "You're pretty handy with that Perce." She grinned "We could use you in the order."
"After the way I've behaved I doubt they'd let me." Percy muttered.
"Nonsense the more the merrier." She replied earnestly "Besides, your family misses you."
"They won't forgive me." Percy said stiffly. As he straightened his glasses Tonks thought that she could see a glistening tear forming in his eye.
"I'll admit they are pretty narked off," She sighed, "especially the twins but I know they'd welcome you back." Percy looked as though he still needed convincing "Why else do you think I'm here?"
"You were sent for Fudge weren't you?"
"No. I promised you dad that I'd find you." Tonks explained. Percy's head snapped up. He looked as though he didn't dare believe it. "You're lucky to have a family that cares about you Percy." Tonks continued sadly "If anyone knows about dodgy families that it's me!"
Percy nodded his head to show that he understood. They continued walking in an awkward silence for a moment before Percy's face twisted into a happy grin "I think I know where we are now." He beamed at her.
He sped off down the hall with Tonks hot on his heels. Within moments the two of them were heading down the golden stairway into the entrance hall. It was clear. The aurors must have gotten everyone out before the escapees and dementors could show up.
Percy ran ahead down the steps, flushed by their victory. He was so excited he didn't even notice that he'd dropped the file. Tonks scooped it up and glanced at the front page. It was a memo from the department of mysteries.
Sir,
Here is the report that you ordered on the death veil, I think you'll find it exciting reading.
It appears that it is possible to return but only if the correct sacrifice is made. Sacrifices come in varying forms as these documents explain. The most common of which is the blood sacrifice, usually of a relative.
It will take a great deal more research into the circumstances surrounding Blacks trip through the veil to determine which would be the best course of action but it appears that it is entirely possible
- Prof. E. Botham (senior researcher, Department of mysteries)
"Percy? What's this?"
