"Dear, I don't think that it can be that horrible of an assignment." Molly set the dish of steaming scalloped potatoes on the table, just missing Tonks' hands, who flicked them out of the way just in time.

"No more horrible than hot dish burns," Tonks replied dryly.

Molly gasped. "Oh! Did I burn you? I'm so sorry; my sons usually know better so I just assume... Here, let me just run to the medicine cabinet and-"

Tonks had to laugh. "No, no, Molly, it's fine. You didn't get me. I was just-Oh, Molly, I've been completely out of it all day."

Molly nodded and moved the dish, accidently shoving it into Ron's fingers.

"Ouch! Mum!" Ron's fingers hot into his mouth.

Harry laughed. Ron shoved him with his elbows-hardly a threat.

"I hardly blame you, Tonks," Harry said, stomping on Ron's foot. "I still can't believe that-" Tonks sensed a lovely curse word coming, but Molly was already burning extra scars into Harry. "-that idiot is getting the credit he is. Like Voldemort just barely came back."

"I hear ya, Harry." Tonks grabbed one of the serving spoons Molly had set on the table and shoved it into the potatoes. "Y'know, maybe me and you should just take off and fry his place tonight. If you let me ride your broom, of course. You still haven't let me yet."

Ginny, who had just entered the room, gave a sharp squeal. "Ooh, bring me if you do that!"

Dang, but that girl had spunk. "Okay, you too, Ginny."

Molly shook her head, eyes blazing, much to the snickering of Ginny and Ron, and slammed the bowl of garden string beans on the table, beans jumping everywhere. "You had better be joking. Including you, Nymphadora."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Mum, of course we were joking. We're not gonna-"

"Well, you're not even going to pretend to be doing anything of the sort. We need to do our best to be on good terms with the Ministry during this time, and flaming bags of niffler dung on the Minister's porch is not going to help."

"Actually, Mum," said Ginny. "The way things are going, the Ministry is practically bending over backwards for us. We could do anything."

"That's true," Tonks heard herself say. Oh, not in front of Molly Weasley.

Molly shook her haid. "If it were true, why would we need you keeping an eye out in there?"

Because they apparently don't want me anywhere else, Tonks thought. She really needed to get over this, but it was just so hard. It would be a heck of a lot more interesting to be out there fighting giants or whatever.

"Tonks, I don't want to hear another work about this."

"Huh?"

Molly frowned. "I know what you're going to say. You were an incredibly young Auror. They've sent you off into dangerous," she gave a small shudder there, "dangerous situations before. The Order trusts you, so if you mention the word 'babysitting' one more time-"

Tonks buried her face in her hands, hiding the laughs that were forcing their ways through. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry," she mumbled into her palms. She put them down for air. "Molly, it sounds so crazy coming from you. You're right." Then why wasn't that the way she was feeling earlier?

"Good. Now lets actually eat this dinner I worked all afternoon to prepare."

"Mum, you used a spell," Ron pointed out. "And Dad's not even here yet."

"Then it's too bad for him. If he works when he says he's coming home for once for lunch-"

"Dinner?" called Arthur Weasley's voice from outside. The door flew open, and in entered a red-faced Arthur, followed by Albus Dumbledore.

Hadn't Tonks vowed to kill him earlier? She shrank into her chair. Awkward, awkward. Suddenly, all her worries and accusations seemed incredibly stupid. Molly was right. Dumbledore wouldn't ship her somewhere just to get rid of her.

Then why didn't he ship someone else off to Fudge's office?

"Albus!" Molly said, standing up. "I didn't expect you. Won't you join us for lunch? Ginny, grab another plate for Professor Dumbledore. It's roast beef, my own recipe."

Dumbledore's nose lifted to smell. "Mm. Well, that does look delicious."

"And I did invite him over," Arthur said, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek. "Sorry I didn't get a hold of you earlier."

"Of course, it's no trouble at all," Molly said with a laugh. "We already have Tonks over."

"Ah, Tonks!" Before Tonks was aware of it Dumbledore had her hand in his and was pumping it up and down. "So how was your first day at the Ministry?"

She shot him her best smile. "I walked out."

His own smile disappeared. "Walked out?"

"Actually, they threw me out. I had been in there no longer than five stupid minutes."

His frown deepened. "Hm, well, that's too bad. You'll just have to try harder tomorrow."

Tomorrow? "Dumbledore, is this assignment really necessary?" Wrong thing to say.

Dumbledore let go of her hand, his blue eyes digging into hers. "Tonks, this is very important. We cannot afford to not have one of our own so up and close with Cornelius Fudge. And they have agreed to it as well. You are the go between. I trust you completely in this assignment." Then the smile was back. "Besides, we thought it might be fun to torture the poor man with you."

For whatever reason, Tonks had to smile. Did the man really want her in that office?

"Now," said Molly. "The lunch is getting cold, and I actually have a mission to feed Harry properly this summer he's with us." She began shoveling potatoes and roast beef onto Harry's plate.

"Yes, we probably should be getting around to dinner. If-"

An owl flew through the window and perched on the back of Harry's chair, holding out its leg to Dumbledore.

"From the Ministry," Dumbledore said softly, pulling off the message and reading it. "Speak of the devil, it is from Fudge."

"Probably a complaint about me," Tonks sang. Maybe this would be fun.

"No, no, girl, it's addressed to me." He sighed. "He says it's urgent, that he must speak with me."

"Must you leave already?" Arthur asked.

"It's just Fudge," Ron said.

Dumbledore stared at the letter, then sighed. "Sorry, Molly, but I can no longer ignore Fudge. I'll go there immediately."

Ginny leaned over to Tonks. "We'll send something as soon as we know Dumbledore isn't there."

So Ginny was still intent on the prank thing. Well, that sounded okay. She hadn't hung out with the kids for awhile.

Sirius sighed and bit his lip, wishing again that there were some way to just... douse the fire and make that bimbo Tawnya just stop talking.

"So then Cerulean told Dream all about what Misty's husband had said- Oh, Cornelius, I just wish you could have been in there to hear it in person!"

The gossip session or the Wireless Wizarding Network's soap opera? Those were the two conclusions had come to.

"Anywho, we're all just so horrified. Misty should leave him, I'm sure. But he is rich. Not as rich as you are, honey, but Misty does like her house-elves. We'll just have to be extra nice when we go to their dinner party next Friday. Poor dear. Speaking of the dinner party, I really must find you a new robe to wear. Your old one is just getting so... unfashionable."

In the name of all that was good and holy... how did Fudge put up with this?

"Also speaking of dinner parties," Tawnya gave a sickeningly flirtatious wink. "If you are home early tonight..."

A knock came at the door. "Sir?"

Percy again. Sirius could have kissed the boy. "I'm sorry, Tamra, something has just come up."

"Who is Tamra?" Fire blazed in the lady's eyes- and not from the surrounding hearth.

"My pet name for you, sweetheart." Not a bad save. "It's like... the tree." Wasn't that a tamerisk?

"I'm like a tree?" She sounded exceptionally flattered. "Well, goodbye, dear. I'll see you when you get home."

Finally, she was gone.

"Not bad-looking, actually." James stepped out of the corner of the room.

"If you're into all that awful magical surgery," Lily joined him. "But I must say, Sirius, you're putting up with her quite well."

Sirius nodded. "We sleep in different rooms. Thank goodness. Exactly how long have you been watching?"

Lily paused to think. "About the time she brought up the neighbor's dog. We still haven't found a suitable body. Though if you really do plan on helping the Order, that won't matter for awhile."

"So you're planning on just leaving me in this body?"

James shrugged. "Nah, but come on, you haven't even done anything fun yet. And speaking of fun, Dumbledore is outside, waiting for you to invite him in."

Sirius blinked. "Dumbledore is here?" Finally, someone to talk to.

"I'm not sure he'll believe anything you say," James said slowly. "Because I know that's what you're thinking."

"I'm not-"

"Sirius," Lily said, shaking her head. "The last thing the Order needs to think the Minister is crazy."

"But this is Dumbledore!"

Percy knocked again. "Sir? It's Albus Dumbledore. He got your owl."

Sirius sneered at James and Lily. "Send him in, Weatherby."

Lily sighed.

The door opened and a rather stiff-looking Dumbledore walked in. "You called for me?" he asked, just as stiffly.

Sirius took a deep breath. Lily and James were still there. Didn't Dumbledore see them? Of course not, they were angels. "Hello, Albus." He extended his hand.

Albus shook is. "Hello, Cornelius. Haven't met with you in a while."

"I know, it's been a long time. Should I have my assistant bring in some-" What did Dumbledore like to drink?

James strode across the room and moved his hand up behind Dumbledore's head in bunny ears.

Sirius choked back a laugh.

Dumbledore frowned. "Are you sure you're all right?"

James made a face, then was yanked away by his wife.

"Yes, I'm all right," Sirius said. "I mean, no. I mean- actually, I'm more worried about how Harry Potter is doing?"

Dumbledore looked surprised. "I didn't know you were concerned with the boy's welfare."

"Well, I do feel I owe him an apology." This was ridiculous. "Dumbledore, do you know who I am? Ouch!"

Lily had smacked him across the face.

Dumbledore took a step back. "Are you sure you're all right?"

Lily had been right. The Order really was going to think him crazy.

"Yes, I'm all right. The office was infested with... invisible mosquitos."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Right. Well, I would hardly consider myself an expert in the department of invisible mosquitos, Cornelius. You are Cornelius Fudge, by the way. You just asked me if I know who you are."

Sirius took another deep breath. This was it. "Dumbledore-"

"Don't you dare say a word," James said.

"I'm not Cornelius Fudge."

The eyebrow went up even further. "Oh, then exactly who are you?"

Lily slammed her hand over Sirius' mouth, but he shook her away. How must this look? "It's me. Sirius."

The room went silent.

"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore asked.

Sirius suddenly felt very dizzy. But he stepped closer to Dumbledore. "I meant what I said. I'm Sirius Black. The real Fudge is dead."

"Don't say anymore," James commanded.

"This isn't funny," said Dumbledore. "Perhaps I should have your assistant call up St. Mungo's. No, perhaps it's best I see it through myself-"

"Albus!" Sirius grabbed his shoulder. "I'm back. I wasn't supposed to die. James Potter was being an idiot. I'm not lying."

"Mr.Weasley," Dumbledore called, spinning around and marching towards the door. "Mr. Weasley, we really should-"

Sirius jumped in front of him. Wow, this whole thing did sound insane. "Everything is fine in here, Weasley. Dumbledore, please. Just listen to me. I am Sirius, just in the Minister's body. We came when we found Harry and Hermione and everyone else had gone to the Department of Mysteries. Because he thought I was in trouble. I'm his godfather. Peter Pettigrew framed me-"

Dumbledore didn't seem to be listening. "Minister, I really must go. And you should go lie down. Quickly." He dodged Sirius and opened the door.

This was impossible. He had proved it, hadn't he? The Minister wouldn't know those things. Of course there were always ways, Sirius supposed. "Albus, you need to believe me."

Dumbledore paused, the door knob under his hand. "Good day, Minister." He stepped outside and shut the door.

"That went well," Lily said brightly. "Sirius, what did I tell you?"

"You could have appeared and helped," Sirius said, dropping into his chair. "He should have... he should have believed me. What did I say that was wrong?"

"Everything," said James. "Sirius, this is why we warned you about this kind of thing. Just... do whatever you want, but it's not wise to try and make people believe you really are who you are."

Sirius slammed his fist into the table. It hurt. "Well, if Dumbledore won't believe me..."

A knock at the door.

"That's getting so irritating!" Sirius screamed.

A pause. "Sorry, Sir. Just... another urgent message." An envelope slid under the door.

Sirius stared at it from across the room. Then, slowly, he stood up and retrieved it.

"Who is this urgent Ministry business from?" James asked.

Sirius shrugged and opened it. Instantly a most foul odor filled the room, increasing as the small scrap of parchment slid out. He coughed and looked at the note.

We have been investigating the source of this smell, and thought the very head of the Ministry should be made aware.

He laughed.

"What is it?" Lily asked.

He held up the letter. "Tonks' writing."

SHOUT OUTS!

Aerinha: Aspen DeChant is a woman Sirius meets at the Quidditch game.

ArcherofDarkness: Thanks! I'm glad you like Tonks. She's hard to do, because we only see about two moods in the books, so it's hard to figure out how she might act under other emotions.

Arwench: I promise you character development. Feel free to smack me around if you've any complaints with it. And for the last chapter... I'll see what I can do with it. Maybe remind everyone who Aspen DeChant is again. Thanks for being honest.

duj: Heck, he seemed immature as an adult. He might as well be immature dead.

EternallyLost: Thanks!

hey: My excuse is that they are second cousins. And I believe I did mention it.

Krenya: It's a little too fun. The whole Tonks/Sirius thing was a complete accident. My cousins and I were thinking of characters, and it slipped our minds that they were... related. But by the time we found out, we were all too much in love with the pairing and had pretty much based the story around their character clashes. So our excuse is that second cousin marriages are often legal, and it is the Black family.

Lady Meriadoc: Yes. Because I am a sick and twisted person, there is something going on between Sirius and Tonks.

meenyrocks. Well.. you just saw the Dumbledore meeting.

milky way bar: Hooray for filler chapters!

scared-of-mimes: He and Harry shall meet soon enough.

Tabitha78: Nope, you didn't jump the gun. I just have issues. You've already met some of the real murderers...

xPussyWillowKittenx: Yeah... but I couldn't not bring up the Weatherby thing.