An angry, urgent rapping woke Tonks. It was the dead of the night; Tonks drowsily rose from her bed and quickly cast a look at the clock – just past 2 AM. She'd been in bed for only a mere two hours with Remus at her side, curled up into his warmth. It had been two days since the full moon, and Remus was healing nicely, thanks to Tonks' care.
The sharp rapping at the window continued, much to Tonks' chagrin, stopping her train of thought. Gathering a blanket around herself, Tonks trudged her way to the offending window to see an angry Ministry owl holding parchment. She opened the window and the owl flew in, impatiently pecking at Tonks until she opened the letter.
"Fine! I got it, I got it!" she hissed at the owl. The owl continued pecking, appearing to have been told not to leave until a reply was received. She unfurled the parchment to read the letter:
Auror Tonks,
Extremely urgent matter. Report to Ministry immediately. Yes, we are aware of the hour. No, this is not optional. All Aurors needed. Bring overnight rucksack. Send confirmation of receipt of message with the owl.
-Rufus Scrimgeour
"What the fuck?" Tonks looked at the letter. It was written on Ministry parchment; she cast a few quick spells and confirmed it had been written by Scrimgeour. What on earth could have happened to cause such alarm? Mass casualty?
The Ministry owl was now screeching in urgency, leading Tonks to scribble a quick "received" on the back of the parchment, tying it to the owl, and letting it go back out the window.
Sighing heavily, Tonks gathered what she could into her Ministry overnight rucksack and dressed herself hastily, donning her Auror robes over her haphazard ensemble. She quickly checked her reflection in the mirror, and morphed the dark circles and bags away, slightly brightening her facial expression. She morphed her hair to a black bob, thinking it would be discreet enough for whatever this mission might be. Moreover, Scrimgeour's letter had not indicated a return time for the mission, or whatever this assignment was, so she penned a quick note to Remus to let him know not to expect her for at least a day. She kissed his forehead and rushed to the fireplace to Floo to the Ministry.
Tonks stumbled into the Ministry Atrium to chaos. Drowsy, agitated Aurors congregated in the middle of the Atrium. Tonks was shocked to see Cornelius Fudge, Scrimgeour, and nearly all the heads of the various departments at the Ministry at this hour; what in Merlin's name had happened?
"Are they all here?" Fudge demanded Scrimgeour anxiously.
"We're waiting on Dawlish, Proudfoot, and Wallace," Scrimgeour replied. "Auror Tonks has just arrived." Scrimgeour eyed Tonks irately, leading her towards Shacklebolt. "Wait here," Scrimgeour ordered.
Tonks peered around and saw Kingsley standing just behind her. She turned her head slightly and asked, "Kings, what's happening?"
"Mass breakout from Azkaban," Kingsley muttered. "Ten high security inmates escaped, your aunt included."
Tonks felt her stomach drop. A mass breakout including Bellatrix Lestrange? Her mother would panic. Remus – Remus! – would be so much worse. She itched to get to an owl to send to them both to assure them she was fine – for now. Tonks was no longer a child and could defend herself from Bellatrix, but would it be enough? Did Bellatrix have a wand? The questions filled her imagination.
"AURORS!" Scrimgeour's amplified voice rang out through the Atrium. Nearly everyone fell silent at his voice.
"THERE HAS BEEN A MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN PRISON! YOU SHALL BE ASSIGNED TO ESCAPEES IN THE EFFORT TO RETURN THEM TO AZKABAN!" Scrimgeour's voiced echoed through the Atrium. "AWAIT MY INSTRUCTIONS!"
Scrimgeour then began assigning duos and trios of Aurors, trainees included, to the escaped Death Eaters. Though Scrimgeour hadn't mentioned the prisoners having been convicted Death Eaters, the names made it obvious – Lestrange, Dolohov, Mulciber, Avery, Rookwood…all known Death Eaters. Tonks began to feel lightheaded; not Bellatrix. Not Bellatrix. That would be a suicide mission. Not Bellatrix.
"TONKS! WALLACE!" Scrimgeour roared. "HERE!"
Tonks and Alfie stepped towards Scrimgeour. "You've been assigned to Rabastan Lestrange. Begin immediately."
Tonks looked at Alfie, who was clearly as exhausted as she was, and they nodded their assent. "Of course, sir," Alfie said proudly, as Tonks elbowed Alfie lightly in the arm to have him follow her up to the Aurors' offices.
"What are you doing?" Alfie protested. "Scrimgeour told us to start immediately!"
"Where did you think we would go?" Tonks retorted. "Azkaban? Do you know where he lived? Who his family members were?" Alfie blanched; it was obvious he hadn't thought of these things. Tonks braced herself for a moment; research wasn't Alfie's strength. His strengths were in magical law, stealth, and tracking. She was often paired with him because she had the opposite strengths of research, concealment, and disguise.
"We'll use your stealth skills once we get to our first location, Alfie," Tonks explained. "I'll get us where we need to be for now." Tonks rummaged through the records the Aurors had on Death Eaters, making quick notes with locations, names, and dates and shoving them in Alfie's direction.
"Rabastan Lestrange – he's not the married one, is he?" Alfie ventured, as Tonks muttered under her breath while hunting information.
"No, my uncle's the other one," Tonks said absentmindedly, scratching a few more notes onto parchment.
"Your uncle is Rodolphus Lestrange?" Alfie asked incredulously.
"Bellatrix is my aunt, unfortunately," Tonks explained. "Be glad we're not assigned to her," she said bluntly. "It would be a suicide mission, believe me." Alfie's jaw dropped, as Tonks continued to shove parchment after parchment into Alfie's hands. After a few moments of silence, Tonks felt she'd completed enough work to begin.
"Where are we starting?" Tonks finally asked Alfie, slightly out of breath from the stress.
"I-I-you said?" Alfie stammered.
"You didn't read my notes?!" Tonks demanded. "I expected you to read through them and choose a location!"
"You didn't make that clear!" Alfie grumbled. "Fine, we'll start here – Lestrange Manor."
"Fine," Tonks snapped. "Let's go." Tonks took the parchment from Alfie's hands and quickly reorganized them, shrinking them down to fit into her rucksack. "We'll Apparate," Tonks added.
Tonks and Alfie made their way out of the office and up to the Ministry entrance, and they Apparated several meters from the entrance gate to Lestrange Manor, in a nearby grove just behind the house.
Tonks had never visited the grand manor; she had not yet been born when Bellatrix married Rodolphus. Tonks' mother, Andromeda, had been to the manor for the wedding, and had been thoroughly unimpressed with the place.
"Alfie," Tonks whispered. "I'll be your lookout. I need you to see if anyone's been here. At least three Lestranges could be here." Alfie paled at Tonks' assessment. "Not my first choice, either, but we're here." Alfie nodded and sped off towards the gates, as Tonks surreptitiously morphed herself in case Bellatrix was nearby. It was too late.
"Looks like it's time for a family reunion," sneered Rodolphus Lestrange, much to Tonks' dismay. "My shifty half-mud niece."
"You're not family," Tonks spat. "Incarcerous!" Ropes flew out from the tip of Tonks' wand, but Rodolphus had a wand and blocked the spell, startling Tonks. How did he get a wand? Is Bellatrix here? Does she have a wand?
"Stupefy!" Tonks screamed at the Death Eater; he blocked the spell easily. The spells kept coming.
"Impedimenta!"
"Petrificus totalus!"
"Crucio!" Tonks missed the Cruciatus Curse by inches; she cast "Protego!" to prevent another assault.
"Avada Ked-" began Rodolphus.
"TONKS!" Alfie cried. "Diffindo!" A large tree branch fell in the way of Rodolphus' Killing Curse, allowing Tonks to escape unharmed.
"My, my, what do we have here?" An all-too-familiar cackle followed the question; Tonks felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise and a creeping chill fell down her spine. Bellatrix.
Tonks laid her eyes on her emaciated aunt, who wielded a wand. Tonks staggered backwards, now feeling a mixture of anxiety and adrenalin surging through her veins. Alfie must be busy with Rodolphus. I'm alone, Tonks realized, terror sinking in more deeply. \
"Crucio!" Bellatrix roared. Despite Bellatrix's weakened state, the curse was effective. Tonks felt the head-splitting pain instantly and screamed. Her body was on fire; it was being stabbed with knives; it was being flogged; it was under total torture.
"I've been waiting for this moment," Bellatrix sneered. "Your mother will hardly recognize you when I'm through with you!" Tonks felt the tears stream down her face as Bellatrix lifted the Cruciatus Curse briefly.
Tonks' voice was hoarse with screaming. Before she had a chance to prevent another attack, Bellatrix cast "Crucio!" one more time. Tonks was engulfed in the pain again; her head was splitting open; her bones were all breaking; her muscles were tearing; it was unbearable. All of her childhood fears came rushing back to her imagination. Are you an Auror or not?! she questioned herself.
The curse was lifted briefly again, and Tonks, now fueled by rage, took the opportunity to finally snatch her wand. "Protego!" she shouted, before Bellatrix could cast the Cruciatus Curse once again.
"All grown up, are we?" Bellatrix mocked. "Ready to take your dear auntie on rather than hide behind that traitorous mother of yours?"
"Don't insult my mother!" Tonks retorted. "She's twice the witch you'll ever be!"
"Expelliarmus!" Tonks attempted. Bellatrix countered with a darker spell, but Tonks was too fast, and knocked Bellatrix into a brick wall, still holding onto her wand.
"Confringo!" Tonks cast again, but Bellatrix was too fast this time; the Death Eater merely cackled and cast another spell in Tonks' direction. She just escaped from Azkaban, what the actual fuck?! Is it that I'm tired? Is that it?
"I. Am. Capable," Tonks repeated the words to herself as she braced herself to cast more spells against her aunt. The niece and aunt continued in battle outside the Lestrange Manor; where was Alfie? Where was anyone? Didn't anyone think to check here?
"TONKS!" Kingsley's voice boomed through the cold January night. "Thank Merlin! She's here! They're here!" Kingsley shouted.
Bellatrix looked momentarily bewildered to see the Aurors and responded quickly. She cast multiple spells to destroy the area before a loud pop! Indicated she'd Apparated away.
"ALFIE!" Tonks shouted. Even if Bellatrix had gotten away, there was little evidence Rodulphus had done the same. Tonks ran into the grove behind the Manor, seeking out the other young Auror.
"ALFIE, WHERE ARE YOU?!" Tonks roared. She began searching the grove in earnest, hearing for a trace of her co-worker. She heard a low whimper a few meters away. "ALFIE!" Tonks followed the sound to find her co-worker, bloodied and broken in the middle of the grove.
"Shit, Alfie," Tonks muttered. "I've got you." Alfie was badly injured, so Tonks summoned her rucksack and pulled out the salves, potions, and Dittany she had reserved for Remus.
"KINGSLEY!" Tonks bellowed. "HELP!" Alfie needed proper medical attention immediately; Tonks' ministrations were merely a placeholder. She sent up red sparks above her head, hoping someone would see them.
"Tonks! Wallace!" Proudfoot found them in the grove. "What happened?"
"Rodulphus," explained Tonks. "He was here too. He must've Disapparated when Bellatrix did."
"We need to get him to St. Mungo's," Tonks continued. "Please, help me."
"You can't Side-Along?" Proudfoot asked.
"I was just under the Cruciatus Curse, twice," Tonks angrily clarified. "I'm hardly in a position to Apparate, myself."
"Fine," Proudfoot huffed. He took Alfie's arm and put it over his own, and with a swift pop! the two were gone.
"Tonks!" Kingsley called. "Where did Proudfoot and Wallace go?"
"Alfie was seriously injured by Rodolphus. I had the displeasure of being put under the Cruciatus Curse – twice – by my dear aunt and I could hardly Side-Along him myself," Tonks quickly elaborated. Kingsley looked astonished.
"That should never have happened," Kingsley's deep voice rumbled. "You should have never been assigned to the Lestranges."
"I wasn't in the position to say no," Tonks huffed. "What now?"
Kingsley put his hand on Tonks' shoulder, just as the rising sun nearly blinded her. "Now, we fight."
...
Tonks barely had the time to write Remus or her parents in the following weeks. At first, she was constantly out on missions to find the escaped convicts; now, she was on a longer-term mission at Azkaban. She could only come by an owl when she popped into the Ministry for a meeting; otherwise, she had to resort to sending surreptitious Patronus messages to Remus, ordering her recipients via owl or Patronus to never reply, lest their messages be overheard or intercepted. She felt far lonelier than she'd ever been.
Tonks hadn't spent any time at her flat since the night of the breakout. She'd been mercifully pulled off the Lestrange cases, but it barely made a difference. The Death Eaters were going to be found wherever Voldemort was, which meant Bellatrix would encounter Tonks again.
"Why are we here, Dawlish?" Tonks asked, rubbing her temples with her index fingers, as she sat on her broom in the cold, salty air. As Alfie was still on the mend from his encounter with Rodolphus Lestrange, he had been shuffled off to desk work while the rest of the Aurors were out searching for the escaped convicts. Tonks almost envied him, until she realized that Alfie was now doing the paperwork for the entire department.
"We're here because Scrimgeour asked us to be here, Tonks," Dawlish said curtly.
"Then why does Scrimgeour want us to be here?" Tonks demanded. "Doesn't anyone realize that we would be more useful elsewhere?"
"I'm not dignifying that question with an answer," Dawlish snapped.
Tonks sighed. She and Dawlish had been assigned to guard Azkaban to prevent further breakouts, along with Proudfoot and another junior Auror. Now that the dementors alone couldn't be trusted, Aurors had been assigned to watch over the prison, until other guards could be found. Not that it mattered; the most dangerous criminals had escaped and the prisoners who remained were lower security risks.
They were on their sixth hour of watch; six more to go, and she would be taking a brief break to shower in the Ministry facilities. Then, a debriefing meeting with half the department (the other half would be out on their own missions), and she would return to Azkaban for another twelve hours, while Proudfoot and the other Auror took watch. They slept in empty cells on opposite ends of the prison to keep watch as well as they could, while the other Aurors flew around the building to keep an eye on escapees. It was only when she was in her sleeping cell for the evening that she could send a Patronus to Remus, to inform him she was safe and well.
Tonks flew around the prison, looking for non-existent escapees, wondering when she'd be able to escape her own situation, her mousy-brown hair whipping around her face. The prison, although it lacked dementors, remained depressing, hindering her ability to morph. Or, was it forced separation from Remus? Being an Auror, and away from her boyfriend, had never been more emotionally draining.
...
Remus Interlude
Remus woke in the early January morning to find the bed occupied by a hungry cat. Ophelia was staring at him, a slightly offended look on her face. He looked at the clock; it was 6 AM, too early for his girlfriend to have gone to work. Perhaps she was in the kitchen?
"Dora?" he called. "Have you fed Ophelia?" Silence. Remus frowned, wondering where she might be. A piece of parchment lay on Tonks' bedside table. He opened it to read her message:
Remus,
Got an urgent owl, had to go into work dreadfully early. Not sure when I'll return, was told to take overnight bag. I love you.
Yours,
Dora
Remus was astonished to see the message. How early had she received the message? Had it been genuine? Was she safe? What had happened? Did Dumbledore or Moody know anything? Remus' mind was brimming with unfortunate possibilities. He fought the urge to send a Patronus at the early hour, so he settled with feeding Ophelia and waiting for The Daily Prophet. Perhaps it would contain the news.
Remus didn't have to wait long for the news. An owl arrived in the rising sun, with a copy of The Daily Prophet, causing terror to wash over his heart. The mass breakout from Azkaban was terrible, and truthfully, he should have been more worried about all of the Death Eaters who'd managed to escape, but he could only focus his blind rage on one name: Bellatrix Lestrange.
Just then, a silvery-blue light entered the room in the shape of an elegant, slender wolf. It spoke in Dora's voice: "I'm safe. Had a rough night. Will update when I can. Do not send reply."
The voice was haggard and hoarse; what had happened to her? Remus' terror was only slightly mollified, knowing that she was safe for the time being. It would have to be enough for now.
Dear Remus,
I'm safe. On the lookout for escapees. I miss you.
Love, Dora
Dear Remus,
Still safe. Meetings are tense. Wish I could see you.
Love, Dora
Dear Remus,
New assignment in the North Sea. I hate it.
Love, Dora
A Patronus message: It's cold and lonely here. I love you.
Dear Remus,
Just us here in the North Sea. We're hiring. I don't recommend the job.
Love, Dora
A Patronus message: I can't wait to come home to you.
Dear Remus,
I miss you.
Love, Dora
A Patronus message: I need you.
Each message from Dora was short and cryptic. They still smelled like her, albeit faintly, and he felt slightly pathetic in keeping the letters on his person at all times as he went out on Order missions. His missions mirrored Dora's – he too was hunting down the escaped Death Eaters, without luck.
The Patronus messages were unpredictable. Somehow, Dora must have had Remus' schedule for watching the Hall of Prophecies, as the Patronus messages only ever arrived when he was at her flat or at Grimmauld Place. Somehow, she knew. He suspected Moody or Dumbledore were behind her impeccable timing.
In a moment of desperation, Remus had written Andromeda and Ted to ascertain if they'd received any more information on their daughter's whereabouts. They had not, although they had invited Remus to join them for weekly Sunday tea, much to his surprise. The first Sunday tea alone with them had been most illuminating. He recalled it as he paced around Tonks' small flat, hoping to hear another Patronus message.
Remus knocked on the door to the Tonks home, nervous to be alone with his girlfriend's parents for the first time. He had visited at Christmas. It was now three weeks later, just days after the breakout from Azkaban.
"Remus, welcome," Ted's gentle voice invited the younger man into the home. "We're glad you could be here."
"It's my pleasure, although I wish Dora were here," lamented Remus. "I miss her terribly."
"So do we, Remus, so do we," Ted affirmed. "Come, join us for tea."
Remus stepped into the small parlor, where Andromeda was waiting for them. Though Remus had only met with Andromeda twice now, it was apparent that the older witch was terribly anxious over the news of Bellatrix's escape, and Dora's constant absence.
"I imagine you're not doing well, Remus," noted Andromeda, evenly.
"I've been alternating between goblets full of Calming Draught and Draught of Peace," he admitted sheepishly.
Andromeda nodded in response. To Remus' surprise, she asked, "Did you use blood magic in the gift you gave Nymphadora for Christmas?"
"I did, yes," Remus confessed. "I'm impressed you noticed."
"Your blood, then?" Ted asked sternly. "What for?"
"After a nearly fatal transformation, I thought to give Dora a tool to notify her should I be in mortal danger," Remus explained. "I offered to remove the enchantments if she didn't want them, but she insisted on keeping them."
"Might I ask where you procured the stone?" Andromeda asked. "Considering your…financial situation, I admit I was surprised to see it. Only a precious stone could hold that kind of magic."
"It was my mother's," Remus replied. "I wanted Dora to have it."
"Did she know it was your mother's, son?" Ted asked. "Quite a thoughtful gift, that is."
"I didn't tell her," Remus said quietly. "I didn't want her to refuse it."
"Have you given any thought as to whether or not you'll commit to her?" Andromeda asked, her brow arched.
"Commit?" Remus asked blankly. "I'm as committed as I can be, or as I am comfortable being right now."
"No thought for her protection, then?" Andromeda questioned. "Marriage or otherwise?"
"'Dromeda," Ted warned.
"I'll think on it," Remus said, feeling awkward. "I've been rather preoccupied with Dora's absence lately."
"Speaking of which, have you considered making such a token for Nymphadora's safety?" Andromeda asked.
"I have," Remus divulged. "I haven't dared to ask her permission."
"Good man," Ted noted. Remus looked at his girlfriend's father with gratitude.
"I'm confident her permission will be rather unnecessary," Andromeda shared. "She'll never allow it if given the choice. Though, perhaps if it came from another source?"
"I thought as much," said Remus. "Despite my own desire to know she's safe and well, I don't think she'd appreciate it."
"Why not?" Andromeda asked. "I'm certain she would be more amenable to the idea if it came from you."
Remus snorted, as Ted and Andromeda looked at him with inquisitive expressions.
"The last time I was anxiously concerned with Dora's safety, she nearly hexed me into oblivion," Remus chuckled. "She doesn't take well to anything resembling patronizing or condescending behavior, even if it's coming out of a place of love."
"That's our Dora," chortled Ted. "Hardheaded, stubborn Dora."
"As you might understand, even I'm unable to break her of that…inclination," Remus said, with some finality.
Andromeda hummed lightly and fixed herself another cup of tea. Remus ventured, "Have you heard anything new from her?"
"Nothing," Ted replied. "She's sent us a few notes."
"She hasn't sent any Patronus messages to you?" Remus cocked his head to one side.
"Messages can be sent with Patronus Charms?" Ted looked astonished. It may have been unique to the Order, then, Remus thought.
"Care to demonstrate?" Andromeda invited.
"I don't care for the form my Patronus takes," Remus began, "but I'll demonstrate once I'm back ho-err, to Dora's flat."
"Have you moved in with Dora?" Ted asked, an amused look in his eyes.
"NO!" Remus insisted. "I do…stay…with her some nights." He grew excessively warm and was certain he was blushing furiously. "I don't, erm, live with her."
"Why not?" Andromeda asked. "You clearly care for her."
"I wouldn't want to impose," Remus mumbled. "I've a cottage, anyway."
"I hardly think Nymphadora would consider it an imposition," Andromeda said, casually.
"Might I ask if you've become less conflicted about my relationship with your daughter, Andromeda? I admit I'm rather perplexed by your suggestions."
"Bellatrix has escaped," Andromeda said simply. "Perhaps, if she were to return to prison, my feelings would change, but the threats to my daughter's life have increased dramatically. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes," Remus said evenly. "Is that why you asked about the blood magic?"
Andromeda smiled playfully. "Think on it, Remus," she replied coyly. She poured him another cup of tea, and Ted switched subjects to Quidditch for the rest of the afternoon, leaving Remus to ponder how his girlfriend's mother really felt about him, or his presence in her daughter's life.
After the first Sunday tea with the Tonkses, Remus returned weekly to update them on the little he knew; it appeared that Dora communicated more with him than with her parents, likely due to the Patronus messages she sent.
The last three weeks had dragged on. Remus felt on edge, but there was little he could do to comfort himself. The full moon was quickly approaching; lonely and despondent, he arrived at Grimmauld Place the morning of February's full moon, dreading the transformation to come. At least Sirius would be there this time, to treat any near-fatal injuries.
...
Back to Tonks:
"Remus!" "REMUS!" Tonks bellowed, thundering through the wards of her boyfriend's Yorkshire cottage. "Where is he?" she said aloud, in frustration. Just an hour earlier, the pendant she wore around her neck – tied to Remus' magic and life – had burned hot against her skin. She had felt terror upon realizing it was the day after the full moon, which meant the burning heat from the pendant indicated Remus' life was at risk. This terror, combined with her own weariness, had sent her into a full-blown anxiety attack in the middle of an Auror meeting.
Alfie, of all people, had taken pity on Tonks, and suggested she'd been overworked, as the three other Aurors monitoring Azkaban had, by now, been reassigned. Only Tonks remained in near-round-the-clock guarding of the prison. Both Shacklebolt and Scrimgeour, at seeing Tonks in such a state of panic, chose to relieve her of the Azkaban assignment and place her on desk duty, under the guise of "work-life balance," but not before being forced to take a personal day. Tonks hardly had time to care for the pity and the remarks, as her mind had been preoccupied with the burning sensation on her chest alerting her that Remus' life was at risk.
By the time Tonks had arrived to Yorkshire, the pendant was no longer burning, but merely warm against her skin. Not knowing if that was a sign that he was truly dying or improving, she hurriedly inspected the cellar, and he was nowhere to be found in the damp, dark space. He was nowhere near or in the shabby cottage. Had he gone to Grimmauld Place? She remembered the pendant could work as a means to find him, so holding onto the pendant with one hand, she closed her eyes tightly and willed herself to find him.
A quick pop! later, and Tonks had Apparated to the top step of a familiar home in London: Grimmauld Place! The pendant wouldn't work where anti-Apparition wards were set up, which meant Remus was somewhere in Order Headquarters. Tonks stepped through the door to Grimmauld Place and began bellowing Remus' name.
"REMUS!" "ARE YOU HERE?" "REMUS!"
"FILTHY HALF BREED IN MY HOME! BLOOD TRAITOR'S SPAWN DEFILING MY PURE HOUSE, HOW DARE YOU! HALF-BLOOD BRAT!"
"OI!" Sirius yelled from the top of the stairs, running down to shut the curtains covering Walburga's screeching portrait.
"Tonks!" Sirius exclaimed, astonished. "We weren't expecting you! You - are you back?"
"For a little while, I think," Tonks sighed. "I've gotten the day off, desk duty next." Her eyes widened. "REMUS!" "IS HE HERE?" she bellowed, prompting Walburga's portrait to begin screeching again.
"Would you keep your bloody voice down?" Sirius growled. Tonks wasn't certain if his remark was directed to his mother's portrait or to herself.
"I'm sorry," Tonks apologized, in a lower voice. "Please, is Remus here?" Sirius grunted in assent as he finally closed Walburga's portrait for the second time.
"Follow me," Sirius said gruffly. "Rough night, as bad as November."
Poor Remus, my Remus! Tonks thought.
Sirius led Tonks up to the third floor, to the second bedroom on the left. A heavily bandaged Remus lay in the ancient double bed, evidently asleep. Tonks rushed to his side and began brushing her fingers through his hair.
"Dreamless Sleep," Sirius explained. "In your absence, he's been a handful."
"I was so worried," Tonks confessed. "I had a terrible feeling about him this morning."
"He was badly injured. I healed him as well as I could, but some of his injuries will take time. I had to give him Skele-Gro."
Tonks gasped. "Will he need a Healer?"
"I don't think so. He's a tough one, our Moony."
"I missed him."
"He missed you."
"I know."
"He visited your parents."
"He did?! Why?"
"They invited him."
"Again, why?"
"He and your mother have an interesting relationship," Sirius said, shrugging. "Worrying about you appears to be their favorite hobby."
Tonks rolled her eyes. "Of course that's why. I'm sure they've been plotting means of keeping me at home and away from danger."
"Bellatrix is dangerous, cousin," Sirius countered. "You should know that by now."
"I know," Tonks sighed. "I ran into her recently."
"You did?" Sirius asked in astonishment. "What did she do to you?"
"You can't tell Remus," Tonks begged. "She used the Cruciatus Curse on me twice."
Sirius' eyes were full of concern. "Are you alright? Her Cruciatus is one of the worst I've seen or heard."
"It was the worst I've ever felt, twice over," Tonks explained. "It was the night they all escaped, so it's been a few weeks. I never want to feel that way again," Tonks shuddered, and yawned widely. Her hair remained a stubborn mousy brown.
"How've you been sleeping? You look like shit." Sirius observed. "You were at Azkaban, yeah?"
"It was nothing like what you had," Tonks said quickly. "I can't believe you suffered through twelve years of dementors and still came out able to feel anything."
"I was innocent," Sirius said solemnly.
"There weren't any dementors," Tonks said. "Just four of us Aurors taking twelve-hour shifts once a day until others could take our places. We slept in unoccupied cells."
"Twelve hour shifts? Having you sleep there? What were they thinking?"
"They were thinking that more prisoners would try to escape! How could they? Without magic? Without help? Anyone who was left there wasn't useful to Voldemort. There's no hope for them," Tonks elaborated. "They didn't need us all there for twelve hours apiece. There wasn't need for us to sleep there, for Merlin's sake!"
"Did they do anything for your cell?"
"How do you mean?"
"When I was there, it was a thin, dirtied mattress, and a thinner, dirtier blanket to sleep under. I was never truly warm while I was there," Sirius' eyes darkened. "Sleeping as a dog made it far more bearable."
"Same mattress, then," Tonks sighed. "I used my Ministry rucksack's sleeping bag instead most nights. Just barely more comfortable. Thank Merlin for cushioning charms." She yawned again, certain that the bags under her eyes were still prominent.
"Go to sleep here," Sirius ordered. "Join Moony there. He'll be over the moon when he wakes up next to you." Sirius barked a laughter at his own joke, while Tonks rolled her eyes.
"What about my cat? Who's fed Ophelia?" Tonks asked, remembering the little tyrant.
"Moony's been a dutiful cat sitter," Sirius explained. "He recruited your mother to take care of your cat while he took care of his furry little problem."
"Oh," Tonks said lamely. "Very well, then." Her eyes widened. "I should tell them I'm here! I'm safe!"
"D'you have energy to write a note?" Sirius asked. "Use Moony's owl, Lyra. Your parents know her and know you came to him first."
"Won't they be put out? I should really see them," Tonks yawned again.
"They'll understand, cousin," Sirius said gently. He strode to the desk across from Remus' bed and pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill, and a small pot of ink. "Just tell them you're safe. Send it with Lyra and they'll believe it."
"They believe I'm safe with Remus? Really?" Tonks looked at Sirius, amazed.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this. Write the note. Get into bed with your favorite werewolf. I'll see you in the morning."
"But Sirius, it is morning."
"You'd be surprised how well you sleep your first night out of Azkaban," Sirius retorted. Tonks quickly scribbled a note and attached it to Lyra's leg.
"Take this," Sirius offered Tonks a goblet.
"Dreamless Sleep for me as well?" Tonks smelled the potion.
"Trust me," Sirius said.
"Fine," Tonks replied, downing the potion in a few gulps. She felt its effects almost instantly, crumpling herself on the bed next to Remus. She closed her eyes, and saw no more.