Sirius looked up from his paper as the doorbell rung,

"five, four, three, two, one…" Right on cue, his mother started screaming. Giving an exasperated sigh and covering his ears, Sirius made his way into the hall, pausing only to pull the curtain across the demonic, salivating portrait of Mrs.Black, and proceeded to the door,

"I'll get it!" Tonks called from somewhere upstairs, a little too late,

"Don't worry! I've-" But all ready she was halfway down the wizened staircase. Tripping over the last step, she fell in an unceremonious heap at Sirius' feet. Slowly picking herself up, she grinned at him sheepishly and said,

"You know, I actually meant to do that." Sirius nodded sympathetically,

"Yeah, I know you did." Tonks wooted and randomly high-fived no one in particular, who responded with equal enthusiasm. Taking on board the look of pure weirdness she was receiving, Nymphadora self-consciously brushed herself down and proceeded to answer the front door, to find a party of precisely three and a half people. Dumbledore standing happily in the front with Hermione to the left and Severus to the right, little Draco perched in his arms, blonde head resting on the potion master's shoulder and his thumb stuck resolutely into his mouth. The elderly wizard took out a bronze pocket watch and glanced at it, stating,

"Twelve o'clock exactly." As if somebody was accusing them of lateness, "Nymphadora! How are you? It's been a long time." Tonks grinned and shook the hand that was offered to her,

"I'm good thanks, Professor,. Hey Hermione! Snape." Hermione smiled and waved her greeting, whist Severus merely nodded curtly in her direction,

"Tonks."

"And you must be Draco!" The metamorphmagus carried on, looking up at the small boy. Draco nodded shyly,

"Hi." He whispered, removing his thumb for a moment,

"Hello, my name's Nymphadora, but that's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it?"

"A bit." Draco admitted quietly,

"So, you can call me Tonks, right?" Draco giggled,

"'Kay."

"And where might our kind host be, Nymphadora?" Dumbledore enquired. Tonks shrugged,

"Lurking in the shadows, I expect. Sirius! Come out and say hello to our guests! Stop being so unsociable!"

"I'm not being unsociable!" Came the gruff reply, as Sirius stepped over to them, "Hello Dumbledore." Albus inclined his head, willing himself not to smile at Sirius' rough demeanour,

"Sirius, how are you doing?" The dark man glowered at him,

"I'm bored." He replied bluntly, "And you know I am."

"Yes, I'm sorry." Dumbledore apologised, patting him on the shoulder, "but there really isn't anything I can do about that."

"You could-"

"It's for your own good, Sirius." Dumbledore cut in, peering at him severely over the top of his half-moon spectacles, "You know it is." Sirius gave a long, tortured sigh,

"Yes, but there's nothing to do! I hate it here! I'd rather be in Azkaban." Tonks, sensing the tension rising, stepped in quickly,

"Umm, Professor?" Albus turned to her,

"Yes?"

"Maybe I should take Draco on a tour of the house? You know, just to get his bearings a bit." Draco looked hopefully up at Snape,

"Can I, Uncle Sev'rus? Can I go with her?"

"Do you want to?" Draco nodded eagerly,

"Yes! Please!" Snape hesitated, not quite sure whether he could trust this clumsy witch to look after his godson adequately. Then, deciding that he probably could and if she didn't she would most certainly die a horribly morbid death, he carefully lowered little Draco to the ground. Draco gave him a quick hug and ran up to Tonks, who was waiting for him, although he was a bit wary of taking her hand, the pair went up the stairs happily enough.

As they disappeared on the landing above, Dumbledore turned, beaming, to them and said,

"Perhaps a discussion over tea and biscuits would be best?" The others nodded their agreement and headed back into the kitchen.

A/N: Greetings! Umm...not much to say 'cept thankyou v. much to brighteyes for the gorgeose banner! (You can check it out in my profile)

And chocolate caramel dragon hugs to...

miniuncy22, Hogaboom, PhantomStarlight, lollenk, SailorHecate, Nikki's Evil Doppelganger, perfectpureblood, Timemage0955, Dark Princesses, Natural-181, CodT, 13BlackAngels, lilmissgullable, Tamika DanarDraco, the look of lve and blueeyedchibi.

Hugs 'n' kisses, Lilyxxxxxxxxxxxxx