CHAPTER TWO

Despite the fact that it was December, Quidditch practices were as long and grueling as ever. It wasn't quite cold enough to snow, but that didn't stop the clouds from dropping freezing rain on the lot of them. At the beginning of practice it wasn't so terrible. The protective gear that the players had to wear kept them quite warm. It might be torturous in the early fall before summer has completely faded, but in the colder months the heavy leather shin guards, gloves and cloak are a blessing. Except, of course, when it rained. The gear quickly gets soaked, and doesn't dry easily; leaving the wearer laden with heavy, cold and wet clothing. Tonks despised practices like this.

The rain made it difficult to see, and the cold made it difficult to feel her fingers. Neither of which bothered her as much as the fact that the cold and rain made it difficult to make the spectacular saves for which she was most proud. Sure, she did a fair job at defending the goals against the most common attacks, which any fool could learn from reading "Quidditch Through The Ages". Her basics were good, seeing has how the team captain would have kept her out there practicing day and night until she was a respectable keeper if he felt that she was the slightest bit deficient. However, Tonks' greatest value as a Keeper was her ability to make spectacular saves. It was, in her opinion, her trademark.

Her favorite save was against Hufflepuff during a practice match during her 4th year. She'd been allowed to play Keeper because the regular bloke was laid up with a nasty head cold. She'd been out of position trying to avoid having her head knocked off by a Bludger since the Gryffindor Beaters were off harassing the rookie members of the other team. The Hufflepuff Chaser had a hold of the Quaffle and was on a clean, fast break away. He was headed for the left ring, and had a comfortable distance between himself and Tonks. In a moment of desperation, Tonks dove off her broom and batted the Quaffle out of the air at the last second, landing in a heap of robes and broom in the sandy pit below the rings. It was a spectacular, crowd pleasing save and earned her the respect of the other team members even if the save was risky and somewhat ill-advised.

This cold and rainy afternoon, she was happy to make one or two garden-variety saves and call it an afternoon. There would be more practices and more saves. Besides, her mind was on supper and getting her notes back. The last few weeks, Snape had been more ornery than usual, meaning that the classes were particularly difficult and the homework excruciating long.

During her time as a student within the hallowed halls of this fine institution of wizardly learning, Tonks had discovered that most of the professors here went through phases. One week they'd be pleasant, helpful and understanding. Within a blink of an eye, they'd give you detention or deduct points from your house for any indiscretion, real or imagined. She supposed that they had lives just like everyone else, and that they had bad days too. Tonks, herself, had a bad day every time her owl brought her another letter from her mother. It wasn't outside the realm of possibility that the professors had mothers like hers.

Snape was an exception. He didn't have good days and bad days. He seemed like he have awful days, mostly. And if the day wasn't awful then it certainly qualified as "horrible". "Awful" and "horrible" were the only two flavors in which Snape's days came. Never a genuine smile or a kind word, even if you were in Slytherin house. But lately, Snape seemed to be having some truly catastrophic days... based on the way he was treating the 5th years.

Tonks was deep in thought about her homework, Snape's personal life, and the girl that had borrowed her notes when her Quidditch captain arrived beside her with a "WHOOSH!"

"Tonks!" She was startled. "Are you having a nice afternoon?"

"But of course I am." Her grin was clearly sarcastic. "A bloody party up here, sir! I'm waiting until I can feel my fingers again before I sit down at the piano and play a few tunes."

"All right, all right. I get the point! Damn." He blew his loud whistle and the players gathered around. After the stragglers made it in, he called a huddle and told them to take it into the locker room. It was still a bit early, but they'd discuss today's practice in the warm and dry confines of the locker room.

Tonks glided quietly long with the rest of the team into the locker room, and happily changed into her regular robes.