She looked down at the document, she was so nervous and upset that the words seemed to blur as her head pounded. Finally after the third attempt she actually managed to retain the information on the page.
There was a chant to perform along with a list of directions and a few materials needed. Tonks scanned the list to see if she had everything. Aside from a sacrifice she needed blood 'well I've got plenty of that' and something that links the sacrifice to the victim. 'bugger!'
Tonks racked her brains, what did she have that linked her with Sirius. The only thing that she had on her was the bracelet that he'd given to her last Christmas…it'd have to do.
As she undid the clasp and pulled the bracelet from her trembling wrist a tear trickled down her cheek. Christmas had been the last time that she'd seen Sirius truly happy. They'd all sat around the table for Christmas lunch laughing and joking. He'd seemed more himself that day, more like the old Sirius. The one that Tonks had known before Azkaban had destroyed him.
When Harry, Hermione, Lupin and Mad Eye had left to visit Arthur with the rest of the Weasleys. She and Sirius had been left alone with the washing up.
He had removed his wand to start stacking the plates the moment they left. Tonks remembered batting it aside and pulling out her own "I'll do it" She'd smiled.
Sirius had looked apprehensive and grabbed it out of her hand
"Hang on," He'd laughed holding it out of her reach so that Tonks was forced to dance on the balls of her feet to reach it "As much as I'd love to destroy all of my mums old china we will need some plates to eat from" He'd teased.
"Are you implying I'm clumsy?" Tonks had smirked back feigning shock.
Sirius' face twisted into a mischievous grin "Yes, oi! Knock it off."
At his last comment Tonks had dipped her hand into the sink and flicked her cousin with the dirty dishwater inside. Sirius smiled back and started to dry up.
They had got halfway through the washing up together before they spoke again. Tonks had been able to tell that he was trying to ask her something. His face had suddenly become very serious. "So," He'd asked tentively "You didn't fancy going to St Mungos with the others?"
Tonks knew that he didn't mean to visit Arthur. She hadn't quite known how to respond, she really hadn't wanted to talk about her parents. "Well I can't leave you to do all of this on your own, I mean Kreature's no help is he?" She had shrugged
"No," Sirius admitted " especially as he's done a bunk."
He hadn't seemed too concerned by this. Tonks hadn't been either but she couldn't think of anything else to say "He can't leave can he?"
Sirius just shrugged "Nah, he'll be off worshipping my mums nightdress or something. What I meant was, you didn't fancy going to see your dad?"
Tonks really hadn't waned to talk about it at the time. Now she was grateful that she had. The conversation with Sirius had been a tremendous relief. She had put off thinking about it for fourteen years which wasn't healthy. She'd needed to let it out.
Tonks broke down then in the kitchen. "That's not him Sirius, that's a shell waiting to die" She'd sniffed as he patted her back gently. His hands had been clammy due to the dish water. "It's not how I want to remember him."
"It must have been hard for you," He'd whispered softly "I'm sorry that I wasn't here to help."
Tonks had managed to pull herself together "I've done alright for myself." She'd smiled weakly
"I'll say." Sirius had laughed "Little Nymmy's an auror. " A proud smile played about his lips.
Tonks dried her eyes on the tea towel and got up "Anyway it can't have been a barrel of laughs for you either." She'd sighed. Sirius had nodded his head freverently
"It's certainly not an experience that I wish to repeat."
"Well you wont have to," She said bracingly and turned back to the pile of dirty plates "the ministry will work out that he's back and you'll be free."
"You seem very sure of that"
"It HAS to happen, they can't keep their heads in the sand forever" Tonks had felt so certain at that moment that everything would work out, she'd give anything to feel like that again.
Sirius didn't look like he'd believed it as freverently as She had done "Hopefully they'll realize soon," He'd sighed "It's driving me nuts not being able to help."
"You are helping, Harry needs you around. You saw how happy he's been since he arrived here."
Sirius' face had suddenly lit up into a playful grin"Hmm especially since Hermione arrived" He'd laughed
Tonks had grinned and nodded her agreement. That hadn't escaped her notice either.
"I'm just worried that something'll happen and I wont be able to help because I'm stuck in here." Sirius continued bitterly.
He had looked so down at this point that Tonks knew that there was only one thing that she could do to make him feel better "Look, I promise if anything happens I wont let him get hurt, okay?" She'd assured him "You don't need to be waving you're wand around to help him, just listen to him I'll keep an eye on him until you're free."
"Thanks" He whispered softly and pulled her into a warm hug. Tonks Hugged him back for a brief moment before breaking apart and twisting her face into a look of pretend disgust
"Gerroff you sentimental old bugger!" She'd smiled at him and once again dipped her hand into the sink to flick him with the dirty dish water.
That day Tonks had promised him that she'd do what's best for Harry, she had no choice. Gritting her teeth she pulled out her wand.
Muttering a small curse Tonks ran it over her arm. She winced in pain as her skin split and warm blood oozed from the gash. She clenched her fist tight and held her forearm as she walked around the dias three times, repeating the chant and leaving a circle of blood as she moved.
"Through the veil of death my blood was taken
By my call he shall awaken
I offer my self. An eye for an eye
For Sirius to live I must die
Around the veil thrice I turn
by my blood he shall return"
By the time Tonks had reached the last few lines her throat had become so dry and she was crying so much she doubted that it'd work. She considered redoing it but the blood loss had left her so woozy that she doubted that she could stand a second longer let alone repeat the whole thing. Besides Percy must have reached the others by now, Tonks was sure that the rest of the order would be on their way to stop her. She needed to finish quickly.
She stood in the position that she had started and clenched the bracelet in her blood soaked hand. Summoning up the remaining strength that she had Tonks flung it with all of her might into the veil. It hit the velvety surface with a thud and disappeared. Tonks waited silently, her heart was thumping so wildly in her chest that it actually hurt. 'Why's nothing happening?' She wondered desperately 'maybe I did it wro..'
A sudden beam of golden light shot out of the veil blinding Tonks and filling the entire room. She blinked wildly through her already watery eyes as her sight adjusted. A tremendous wind had struck up and pushed against her as she walked, bent double towards the veil.
As she drew nearer she thought that she could hear voices in the distance. Crying out.
'noooo' They called in a whisper. 'Please don't!'
"I have to." She replied, panting as she fought back her tears "you'll understand once you speak to him" She reached out tentively and toughed the veil, it felt like velvet. As her hand made contact the wind changed direction and appeared to be sucking her in.
'nooo' The voice screamed it seemed to be further away this time. Tonks eye lids became heavy and drooped shut. Her brain seemed to close down as she slipped into a daze. The voice continued to scream but it just seemed to be slipping further and further away.
Suddenly a louder, nearer call snapped Tonks out of it. "Stop where you are!" It screamed shrilly.
Tonks whipped around.
Bellatrix Lestrange was framed in the doorway, her eyes wild and manic. She had her wand aimed straight at Tonks "Now step off of the dias!"
