Remus was panicking. Tonks wasn't going to admit it to him, or herself, but she was panicking too. Children had never been a part of her future, particularly as an Auror. Now, with the threat of Voldemort and the Ministry making questionable decisions, being an Auror might not be her future, anyway. If she didn't work, how would they make ends meet? What of the child – if there was a child? Tonks was certain it wouldn't be a werewolf; the curse of lycanthropy could only be transmitted through a werewolf bite at the full moon from a fully transformed werewolf.
Would a half-werewolf baby survive, anyway? Was the curse strong enough to prevent the pregnancy – if it was there – to come to term? The questions were swirling in Tonks' mind, and she feared what a pregnancy might do to her, to Remus, and to them as a couple.
Remus had looked crazed that morning and sobbed violently for several minutes. Even under unusual circumstances, was that the reaction she'd hope to have from the father of her child? Merlin, Remus is going to be a father. I'm going to be a mother, Tonks thought. That didn't seem right.
All of Tonks' thoughts were punctuated by her attempts to soothe Remus from his panic as they readied themselves for the trip to visit her parents. Remus was pale and trembling, while Tonks herself was flushed and rigid.
"Ready, love?" she asked hollowly. Remus nodded, still pale and shaky, and Tonks Apparated them to her parents' home.
She let the two of them through the enchantments, and began calling for her parents.
"MUM! DAD!" she bellowed. "WHERE ARE YOU?"
"Nymphadora!" cried Andromeda. "Are you alright? Is something wrong with the mission tonight?"
"No, mum, everything's fine there, I just need you for something," Tonks explained quickly. "Remus, you'll stay downstairs?"
Remus nodded weakly and sank into the first armchair he could find, placing his head into his hands.
"Is Remus alright?" Andromeda asked, glancing at his unusual behavior.
"He'll be fine," Tonks dismissed. "Can we go upstairs? There's something I need." Andromeda's eyes widened, but she took Tonks by the hand up to Tonks' childhood bedroom.
Tonks placed a silencing charm on the room, and sat on her old bed, leading Andromeda to furrow her brow.
"Nymphadora, what is happening? Are you safe? Why is Remus so distraught?" Andromeda asked sternly.
"Mum, I think I might be pregnant," Tonks admitted. "Can you help me figure this out?"
Andromeda's eyes flew open and she gasped. "I thought you weren't going to—"
"—we weren't, mum. That's why this is a problem."
"Does this mean you are—"
"—mated, yeah, and Remus is having a meltdown. Please, mum, can you do the charm or whatever it is, so we can figure out what to do next?" Tonks was breathing raggedly in her own state of distress.
"Stand up," Andromeda said. Tonks stood, and Andromeda placed her wand against Tonks' abdomen.
"Infantem revelare!" cast Andromeda. A soft blue light emerged from Tonks' midsection, fluttering slightly, before Andromeda dropped her wand.
"Nymphadora, you're going to be a mother," Andromeda beamed. Tonks was taken aback by her mother's reaction – was that joy?
"You-you're not disappointed?"
"Of course not, darling. I'm going to be a grandmother."
"Err," Tonks stammered. "I'm not sure that's how it will work out."
"You don't plan on terminating, do you?"
"No? I don't think so? Remus is panicking because he thinks it won't survive."
"Does he have reason to believe this?"
"Lycanthrope children, or cubs, generally don't."
"Isn't that only with werewolf mothers?"
"Yes, and that's why I'm not certain that whatever this," Tonks gestured wildly towards her abdomen, "is, will survive either."
"We have no reason to suspect it will end poorly," Andromeda said slowly. "Why is Remus panicking?"
"Mum, because we mated," Tonks said impatiently, sitting back down on her bed. "Mum, when he realized what it could be, he gave me an order not to do the mission tonight—"
"—with good reason, as you're expecting a child now!"
"—that's not the point, mum," Tonks interrupted. "He gave me an order and I burst into tears because I felt powerless. The mating thing – it's real, mum. He had to tell me that we could go for me to go."
"Does this mean he can command your every move?" Andromeda asked sharply.
"Yes, unfortunately," Tonks said. "He wept for most of the morning because of it. He thinks he's ruined our lives."
"But now…it means you have additional protection, doesn't it?"
"That hardly matters to Remus, I think," Tonks said sullenly. "It's more that he's now an alpha, with me and the kid stuck to him."
"Marriage and family are meant to be together, Nymphadora."
"Not like this, mum," Tonks sighed sadly. "Not according to Remus, either. The damage is done, as it were."
"Nymphadora, how do you feel about this?" Andromeda asked gently.
"Confused, honestly," Tonks said. "I-I never thought I wanted to be a mum, but this thing, whatever it is, it feels…right. Maybe it's the mating business? It feels right to me, even though I'm terrified about what it's going to do to me, to us. I'm afraid of losing my job, mum. Not because of the kid, but because of what's happening at the Ministry. Then it'll be two parents without a job…what if we can't provide for the kid?"
"Do you want to have a child? You've always been adamant that you don't," Andromeda reminded.
"I didn't think I wanted to be married, either, but now I have Remus. This kid, or whatever's growing inside me, feels right. But, mum, how are we going to pay for it?"
"Your father and I—"
"—mum, we can't live off you and dad forever."
"Didn't you say you wanted a wedding celebration when the war was over? Your father and I can help with your child until that time as well, and when both you and Remus are able to return to work, you won't need to rely on us."
"Mum, what if the war never ends?" Tonks asked in distress. "What if it never ends and this kid is doomed to death for who their parents are? Order members? Auror? Werewolf?"
"Nymphadora, I can't tell you what to do, but I can promise you that if you choose to have this child, you won't be without support," Andromeda said kindly.
"You're only saying that because you want a grandkid," Tonks sighed.
"Admittedly, it's a prospect I never thought I would get to enjoy, but your happiness and well-being matter more to me."
"I'll think on it, then," Tonks decided. "With Remus."
"Why don't you tell him now, darling? Better to get it out of the way sooner rather than later."
Tonks stood up and undid the silencing charm on the room, walking slowly and anxiously back down the stairs to meet Remus and her father.
"I've been trying to get a word out of your husband, Dora, but he seems distressed," Ted said nervously. "I haven't done anything, have I?"
"No, dad, it's nothing to do with you, I suppose. D'you mind if I have a minute with him?"
"If you need anything, Dora, I'll be in the kitchen with your mother."
"Thanks, dad," Tonks said gratefully. As soon as her father was out of earshot, Tonks knelt in front of Remus, who still had his head in his hands.
"Remus, love?" Tonks said softly. Remus finally lifted his head from his hands; he'd been crying. His eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, and his cheeks were stained with tears.
"Is it true?" he asked pitifully.
"It is, Remus. We're having a baby," Tonks said softly. "We just confirmed it."
Remus began weeping loudly again into his hands. "What have I done? What have I done?" he cried.
"Remus, please," Tonks murmured. "Please, be calm for a moment. We need to talk about this."
"I've ruined your life! I've ruined our child! I've doomed us all!" Remus sobbed into Tonks' shoulder.
"Remus," Andromeda's voice interrupted. He looked up and reddened in embarrassment.
"You have not ruined our daughter's life, nor the life of your child," she admonished. "Take this."
Remus gingerly took the large goblet from Andromeda's hand and gulped its contents within moments.
"Calming Draught?" whispered Tonks.
"Draught of Peace, far stronger," Andromeda said knowingly.
The effects of the potion were instantaneous, and Remus slumped in the armchair, looking slightly dazed.
"Is this how he was when I was at St. Mungo's for that paralyzing potion nonsense last year?"
"It's worse this time," Ted interjected. "He's very distressed."
"Did mum tell you?" Tonks asked nervously.
"That I'm going to be a grandfather?" Ted asked, smiling widely. "If that's what you choose, of course."
"I wish you two were having this kid," Tonks grumbled. "Much happier than I am about it."
"Remus, are you calm enough that you have a thought?" Tonks asked.
"I've ruined all our lives," he whispered. Though he was no longer crying or trembling, he was pale and tense.
"Not quite the answer I was looking for, but it'll do for now," Tonks said. "What are we going to do?"
"You have a mission tonight, don't you, sweetheart?" Ted asked.
"Yes, we do," Tonks said firmly. "Remus and I are both going, and Harry and Hagrid will arrive here tonight."
"Nymphadora, please stand," Andromeda said impatiently.
"Why?" Tonks scowled.
"If you plan on keeping this child, you should have additional protections in place," she sighed. Tonks stood before her mother, as Andromeda cast various charms on her abdomen.
"You would do well with some potions," Andromeda said. "If I've time, I'll prepare some tomorrow so you can begin them right away."
"How-how far along am I? Can you tell?" Tonks asked nervously, placing her hands on her flat midsection.
"You were taking the potion before? Monthly?"
"Yeah, I should've taken it on 30th June, but…I got distracted."
"I'd place you at about four weeks, then," Andromeda determined. "You'll be due in early April."
Tonks returned to her place, kneeling in front of Remus.
"Remus," Tonks said, taking his hands into her own. "Our baby is due in April, what do you think?"
"If it survives—"
"—let's assume, for the moment, it does," Tonks suggested. "Then we'll have a baby in April of next year."
Remus blinked owlishly at Tonks, as if she had spoken another language entirely.
"What did you put in that potion, mum?" Tonks asked Andromeda.
"Dosages are harder with werewolves," Andromeda muttered. "He'll be fine. Why don't you take him back to your cottage. You'll both need rest before the mission tonight."
"Good idea, mum," Tonks agreed. "Remus, love, let's go. We need to eat and rest before tonight."
Remus nodded weakly and followed Tonks out of her parents' home, where she Apparated them together back to their cottage. She walked him towards their bed, and sat him down in front of her.
"Remus, we need to talk about this," Tonks said steadily. "We've mated, and there's nothing we can do about that bond. It's there. I'm not in love with the idea of you being able to order me around, but you've already shown me that you hate that too. What we can do is make a decision about this baby."
"Assuming it survives," Remus said darkly.
"Let's assume so," Tonks murmured. "I…I never thought I wanted to be a mum, but this feels right to me. Maybe it's the bond, or maybe it's something else. But it feels right to me. I…think I want to keep it."
"What if it has lycanthropy? What if it begins ripping you apart from the inside?" Remus demanded.
"Then it's a tiny werewolf, Remus," Tonks said impatiently. "If it starts ripping me apart, I think we'll know what to do."
"What if you lose your job? We can't support a child without an income!" Remus protested.
"I'm certain I'll lose my job anyway, given the atmosphere at the Ministry, so pregnancy won't matter as much. I already asked my mum—"
"—we can't take their money."
"Not forever no," Tonks replied. "Mum said we can rely on them till the war is over and then we'll get jobs."
"What if we don't survive the war? What if we do survive? We'll be targeted, don't you see?" Remus was panicking again.
"If we don't survive, then none of us survive, Remus," Tonks groaned. "If we do survive, we'll go into hiding. We'll probably have to do that anyway."
"We can't raise a child in hiding forever, Dora!"
"I know, Remus," Tonks sighed. "This war can't last forever. It's why we're fighting. It's why we're going on this mission tonight—"
"—Dora, please."
"Remus. Please don't take this away from me," Tonks begged. "I want to go. We've laid a false trail. We have seven safe houses. I want us both to go."
"Your mum placed enchantments on you?" Remus asked quietly.
"She did, and you can add more, if you'd like." Remus stood and placed his wand tip on her abdomen, muttering several incantations. Tonks' midsection grew warm again as the enchantments took hold.
"Thank you, love," Tonks said. "We're going to be okay."
"I'm not so sure," Remus said sadly.
"Remus, love," Tonks said, taking his hands into her own. "This can be a good thing for us, really. Tonight we'll see Harry and tell him that we're married, and then we'll fly into the sky to get to the Burrow. It will be just fine, sweetheart."
"Okay," Remus mumbled.
"Why don't we eat, kip, and get ready?" Tonks suggested. Remus nodded weakly, and Tonks led the two of them through a silent meal, a restless nap, and finally, dressing themselves for the journey ahead.
…..
"We'll tell him we got married now, and about the, er, other news later?" Tonks whispered to Remus before heading into 4 Privet Drive to collect Harry. He nodded solemnly, and followed the rest of the Order members into the house.
After Moody had informed Harry of the change of plans, Tonks said, "Harry, guess what?"
"You got married?!" Harry yelped, upon seeing the ring that Tonks flashed before his eyes.
"I'm sorry you couldn't be there, Harry, it was very quiet," Remus said ruefully.
"That's brilliant, congra—"
Harry was cut off by Moody's admonishment. The grizzled Auror quickly explained the details of the plans, and the others lined up to take swigs of the Polyjuice Potion, much to Harry's chagrin. Moody gave out assignments; Remus would be going with George, and once all the others were paired up, Tonks brightly said, "Which leaves you and me, Ron!" as she knocked over a mug tree, clattering loudly on the floor.
Everyone went outside the residence and lined up according to their method of travel. Remus and George would be together on George's broom, while Tonks and Ron were together on Tonks' broom.
"Hold tight now, Ron," she commanded, as the gangly teenager placed his hands gingerly on her waist. Tonks looked behind her to see Remus' face nearly colorless; whether it was from nervousness or protectiveness, Tonks didn't know.
Mad-Eye counted down, and they were off into the sky, going higher and higher, with Tonks and Ron heading towards his Auntie Muriel's.
The Death Eaters came almost instantaneously, with a recognizable cackle filling Tonks' ears.
"Is that the brat I see? The one besmirching my family tree?" Bellatrix jeered. She shot a Dark curse at Tonks and Ron; to his credit, Ron cast "Protego!" just in time.
Bellatrix was soon joined by her husband, Rodolphus, and her brother-in-law, Rabastan, both of whom seemed just as intent on killing Tonks and Ron as Bellatrix.
A flash of light was sent in Ron's direction, and Tonks shouted "HOLD ON!" as she barrel-rolled through the sky to avoid Bellatrix and Rodolphus. They soon caught up, and both of them were casting Dark curses as Ron cast every jinx, counter-curse, and protective charm to avoid them.
"What will happen to your little beastie when I've killed you?" Bellatrix mocked. "He'll make a lovely pet for us, don't you think?"
Tonks bent down on the broom, accelerating as fast as she was able.
"Your beastie will make a fine rug, won't he?" Bellatrix cackled. Tonks grew red with anger, but she and Ron were only just able to avoid getting jinxed or cursed midair.
"The little brat likes a fight!" Rodolphus shouted. "No need for such filth in our tree!"
Rabastan was faster in catching up to Tonks and Ron, and he began to cast, "Avada Kedav—"
"—Diffindo!" cried Ron in return. Tonks looked to her left where Rabastan was, and his arm had been cut off cleanly from the spell. Bleeding profusely and losing his balance, Rabastan flew downward.
"Well done!" shouted Tonks. "Let's go!" She bent down low on the broom with Ron hanging onto her for dear life, but Bellatrix and Rodolphus were now back at their sides.
"Come out to play, little brat!" Bellatrix screamed, casting another Dark curse at Tonks and Ron. Lights flashed around them, but between Tonks' rolling midair and Ron casting spells in every direction, they were able to avoid the curses once more.
"You and your filth will no longer curse my family tree!" screamed Bellatrix, again casting another Dark curse, while Rodolphus began casting "Avada Ked—"
Upon hearing the start of the Killing Curse, Ron aimed "Stupefy!" at Rodolphus; it hit him directly in the head, and he fell off his broom, his body now in a free-fall towards the night sky.
Bellatrix howled into the sky and redoubled her efforts at killing Tonks. She was casting curse after curse in Tonks and Ron's direction, and it was all Tonks could do to keep the two of them safely on the broom.
"We're nearly there!" shouted Tonks. Ron continued casting spells towards Bellatrix; they were just barely able to make it past the barriers to Auntie Muriel's before Tonks heard Bellatrix casting the Killing Curse again.
As soon as they were through the enchanted barriers, Tonks and Ron landed hard on the ground outside the farmhouse.
"It took you long enough," an old woman's voice complained. "You've missed your Portkey!"
"We were ambushed," Ron explained, panting heavily. "They knew, somehow, they knew!"
"Who's this?" the old woman asked.
"I'm Tonks, you must be Auntie Muriel, thank you for your help," Tonks rushed, her body feeling simultaneously exhausted and thrilled with the rush of adrenalin.
"You alright, miss?" Auntie Muriel asked sternly.
"She's missus now," Ron said. "Mrs. Lupin, yeah?"
"Yeah," Tonks said. "I'm fine. We need to get to the Burrow!"
"Not in this state, you're not," Auntie Muriel said firmly. "You look a little too peaky for my liking, Mrs. Lupin. Ronnie needs to eat as well."
"Auntie Muriel, we really need to get back," Ron complained.
"Not until you've gotten your biscuits!" the older witch demanded.
Tonks and Ron sighed but followed Auntie Muriel into the farmhouse, where they dutifully ate several biscuits before insisting they return to the Burrow.
"Please, we need to go, Auntie Muriel, but thank you for everything," Tonks begged.
"Let Molly know she's not feeding you well enough," Auntie Muriel said with a huff, before permitting Tonks and Ron to take off on the broomstick again.
"We're not far, are we?" Tonks shouted.
"Northeast, just a few more miles!" exclaimed Ron. Tonks bent down on the broom, forcing it to accelerate, until they finally materialized in the sky just above the Burrow.
"It's them!" Hermione shouted from the ground, as Tonks streaked onto the ground, spraying dirt and pebbles everywhere.
"REMUS!" Tonks cried as she staggered off the broom and into Remus' arms. His face was pale and set, and his entire body was tense. He relaxed somewhat as she held onto him tightly, but she let go to praise Ron's help.
"Ron was great," said Tonks warmly, relinquishing her hold on Remus. "Wonderful. Stunned one of the Death Eaters, my uncle Rodolphus, I think, straight to the head, and when you're aiming at a moving target from a flying broom—"
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all commented on Ron's abilities, until Remus finally spoke.
"So what kept you? What happened?" Remus asked hotly. Tonks looked into his eyes, and saw the terror in them.
"Bellatrix," said Tonks. "She wants me quite as much as she wants Harry, Remus, she tried very hard to kill me. I just wish I'd got her, I owe Bellatrix. But we definitely injured Rodolphus…Then we got to Ron's Auntie Muriel's and we'd missed our Portkey and she was fussing over us—"
Remus' jaw clenched tightly, and he nodded; Tonks felt a shudder as she realized how worried he must have been.
Before long, the others had arrived to the Burrow, with the exception of Mad-Eye and Mundungus. Bill was the one to announce the unhappy news – Mad-Eye was dead.
Remus conjured a handkerchief for Tonks, and she began weeping silently into it; her mentor, her favorite Auror, like a second father to her – dead. She was barely listening to the others as they discussed their own traumas that evening. She sobbed into the handkerchief at the loss of the great Auror she'd come to love. They were arguing among themselves as to how it could have happened, until Tonks interjected.
"You-Know-Who acted exactly as Mad-Eye expected him to," she sniffed. "Mad-Eye said he'd expect the real Harry to be with the toughest, most skilled Aurors. He chased Mad-Eye first, and when Mundungus gave them away he switched to Kingsley…"
Fleur and the others began discussing how someone had known of their plot to remove Harry from Privet Drive, until Remus was turning around with Bill.
"Where are you going?" asked Tonks and Fleur together, upon seeing their beloved wizards on their way out the door.
"Mad-Eye's body," Remus said. "We need to recover it."
The evening was spent in sad drinking and discussions, all mourning the loss of Mad-Eye. Tonks sat herself in a corner of the Burrow, her head bursting with thoughts. She was pregnant. She was fully mated to Remus. She had nearly died again that night at her aunt's hands. Her mentor was dead. She placed her head in her hands, rubbing her temples with her fingers to soothe herself.
"Dora," Remus called. Tonks looked up and Remus was standing before her, exhausted and looking rather unhappy.
"Did you find it?" Tonks asked.
"I'm sorry, no," Remus said apologetically. "We tried, but it was too far above the ground to get a good idea of where his body might have landed. I'm sorry, sweetheart."
"S'okay," Tonks said. "Can we go home, please?"
Remus nodded, and he took her by the hand, wishing the others goodbyes as they left the Apparition zone of the Burrow and Apparated back to their cottage.
"Is George going to be alright, Remus?" asked Tonks. "I can't believe Snape cut his ear off."
"After what he did to Dumbledore, almost nothing could surprise me from Severus," Remus said darkly.
"How are you?" Tonks asked softly.
"I should ask how you are," Remus said. "Dora, you can't keep going on missions like this. It-it's not safe for you, or…" he looked down at her abdomen.
"I know," Tonks sighed. "I feel so useless lately."
"You're not, Dora," Remus insisted. "You still have your job, we got Harry safely to the Burrow, and even your parents helped. You've contributed plenty."
"My parents! They're probably worried! I'm sending a Patronus right away," Tonks said quickly. "Expecto patronum!" she cast, and the slender, silvery-blue wolf appeared. She instructed it to go to her parents, and to deliver the message: "We are safe, we'll see you both tomorrow for tea."
"That should be good," Tonks said tiredly. "Merlin, I'm knackered. It's bedtime, yeah?"
"Yes, Dora, you'll need your rest now more than ever," Remus said, now holding her tightly against his body and stroking her hair. Tonks felt the embrace was a little too tight for her liking, but Remus was clearly agitated from the events of the evening.
She led them both to bed, where she fell promptly asleep, exhausted physically and emotionally from the day.
…..
"How did Harry react to you both?" Tonks asked her parents the following afternoon over tea.
"Poor lad was distraught. His owl died on the way here, and he knew he'd been betrayed," Ted said. "Almost hexed your mother."
"He what?" Remus yelped.
"I believe it has to do with the family resemblance to my sister," Andromeda said calmly. "Although for a moment, I was rather frightened he might curse me."
"I can't blame him," Tonks said. "I'm fairly certain we either seriously injured or killed both the Lestrange brothers last night, and Bellatrix very nearly killed me also."
"Nymphadora, you cannot keep going these missions," Andromeda scolded. "It's getting more dangerous by the day for you to engage in combat."
"Remus said the same thing," Tonks said glumly.
"You didn't – order – her, did you, son?" Ted asked tentatively.
"Of course he didn't," Tonks snapped. "Ever since we learned what we'd done, Remus has been careful about how he words things, considering I reacted so poorly the first time."
"I'm so sorry for having done this to you, Dora," Remus said despondently.
"It took two of us to get into this mess, Remus," Tonks said exasperatedly. "We're both at fault here, and there's nothing we can, or should, do about it."
"Have you made a decision, then?" Andromeda asked curiously.
"Dora would like to continue the pregnancy," Remus said softly.
"You do not?" Ted asked.
"I defer to Dora on this." Remus shifted in his seat uncomfortably. No matter how many times Tonks had tried to get a truthful answer from Remus, he simply put the onus back on her for making the decision.
"How is work, sweetheart?" Ted switched topics.
"I'm certain I'll either be sacked or forced to quit in the next few weeks," Tonks said unhappily. "That Umbridge woman is making me form a list of all Muggle-born witches and wizards. I'm halfway through but I desperately don't want to give it to her. I don't trust her at all, and I'm afraid of what she wants to do with the information."
"When will you know what she wants to do with the information?" Andromeda asked.
"A week from tomorrow. I've always loved my job, but lately…I dunno, it doesn't feel right, what I'm being asked to do," Tonks said sadly. "Not to mention Umbridge asked me to annul our marriage."
"She can't ask you to do that, can she?" Ted asked. "That's absurd."
"It's not against the rules for Ministry workers to marry or have relationships with werewolves – I checked that two years ago and again last month when Remus and I married. I'm afraid it won't be long before Umbridge herself passes some restriction against it."
"They've got you cornered good and proper, don't they?" Ted said resignedly.
"Dad, what are you going to do for work?"
"I'll stay as long as I can, until it's no longer safe for me."
"I hope that doesn't happen," Tonks said. "We can't all be out of jobs."
"It might come to that, Dora," Remus said sadly.
"You two should move in with us," Andromeda announced abruptly. Remus and Tonks looked up from their seats, each with curious expressions.
"It's far more cost effective for all of us to live under the same roof," Andromeda said. "Not to mention, power in numbers. If need be, we'll place the Fidelius Charm on the house and have only the four of us privy to the location."
"What do you say, Dora?" Remus asked. "I know you like our cottage, but it's remote, and we would have greater supports here."
"Dad, what do you think? Do you really want your daughter and her husband sleeping in the room across from yours?" Tonks challenged.
"If it's my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild, I would say 'the more the merrier,'" Ted chortled happily.
"Outnumbered again, I see," Tonks said glumly. "Give me a week to decide, yeah? Too much change for me lately."
"We'll make a decision by the end of the week, after Bill's wedding," Remus repeated. "Hopefully, all hell won't have broken loose by then."
…..
"Auror Lupin, thank you for coming to see me," Umbridge simpered upon seeing Tonks walk through the office door.
"You asked me to be here," Tonks said flatly. "How can I help you?"
"Would you like some tea?" Umbridge offered, handing a steaming cup of tea across the table. Tonks eyed the drink suspiciously, as she had heard that Umbridge was known for lacing her tea with Veritaserum. Luckily, Tonks kept a tiny vial of the antidote on her person at all times (another reason she was thankful for being Mad-Eye's protegee).
"No, thank you, Madam Undersecretary," Tonks said politely.
"I insist, you should have tea," Umbridge smiled widely.
"Do you have honey?" Tonks asked. "I'll take it with honey." Umbridge grinned wickedly and turned around to fix the tea with honey, and likely, Veritaserum. Tonks quickly unstoppered the antidote and drunk it down, before Umbridge turned around with the laced tea.
"Do enjoy your tea, Auror Lupin," Umbridge sneered. Tonks took a sip and was immediately thankful for having taken the antidote; her brain was as clear as ever.
"Now, Auror Lupin, I wanted to ask you a few questions."
"Go ahead."
"Are you or have you ever been a member of the terrorist organization calling itself the Order of the Phoenix?" Umbridge looked delighted with herself for having asked the question.
"No," Tonks said curtly. Umbridge looked disappointed, but continued.
"Do you believe that Harry Potter is a threat to all Wizardkind?"
"Yes," Tonks lied. Umbridge looked frustrated.
"Are you in a relationship with the known werewolf Remus Lupin?"
"We're married, so yes."
"Do you know the whereabouts for Harry Potter?"
"No."
"Why don't you have more tea, Auror Lupin? I see your teacup is still rather full."
Tonks dutifully took a few more sips, more grateful than ever for the antidote to Veritaserum.
"Do you know of any other Ministry officials who might be involved in terrorist activity related to the Order of the Phoenix?"
"No."
"I will list some names, Auror Lupin, and you shall inform me immediately if any of them have been engaging in suspicious behavior."
"Okay."
"Arthur Weasley."
"No." Umbridge looked annoyed.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt."
"No." Umbridge looked further irritated.
"Alastor Moody."
"He's dead now, and no." Umbridge perked upon hearing of Moody's death, but was unhappy to hear he was not part of the Order.
"Remus Lupin."
"No." Umbridge's brow furrowed in greater consternation.
"Do you know anyone involved with suspicious activities?"
"No."
Umbridge was properly angry now, with her face turning a brilliant shade of red. "How are your Muggle-born records coming along, Auror Lupin?"
"I'm halfway through. I expect the full report to be completed in one week, per your request," Tonks said unenthusiastically. "Will that be all, Madam Undersecretary?"
"Still married to that half-breed, are we?"
"Yes, and it's not against the Ministry rulebook," Tonks snapped.
"For now, Auror Lupin," Umbridge sneered. "For now."
Tonks felt her heart sink in her chest, and turned around from Umbridge's office before running into none other than Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic.
"Scrimgeour, I'm so sorry," Tonks said hastily. "I just had a meeting with…"
"I know, follow me," he said briskly. Tonks followed Scrimgeour to his office, where he shut the door and placed a silencing charm on it.
"What's going on?" Tonks asked.
"It would appear that one of our former colleagues, Alastor Moody, is now deceased," Scrimgeour said grimly. "As a result, I needed you for his final will and testament."
"Me? Why?" Tonks asked in disbelief.
"You are the sole beneficiary of his estate," Scrimgeour said curtly. "I'll need your signature on a few of these documents to ensure his assets are transferred appropriately."
"Assets?" Tonks asked weakly. "I don't want his stuff, I want him back alive and well."
"Unfortunately, Auror Tonks, that's out of the question—" Scrimgeour stopped himself mid-sentence.
"I hear you go by Auror Lupin these days," Scrimgeour said.
"I haven't legally changed my name, but yes, I am married now."
"Lupin – to the werewolf?"
"His name is Remus."
"You realize that there is legislation underway making it a crime to be employed by the Ministry and married to a Dark creature?"
"I did not, sir," Tonks said sullenly. "Is there no way for exceptions for those who married before the legislation is enacted?"
"I haven't read the fine print."
"I see. Can you tell me more about Moody's will?"
"He's left you everything he had – his home, all the gold in his vault, all that's his is yours now."
"Wow," Tonks breathed. "He must've liked me." She smiled softly, thinking of her old mentor.
"Sign here, and by this time tomorrow the gold and deed to his property will be transferred to your name."
Tonks signed the paperwork, while looking over the amounts she was set to inherit. Though she knew Mad-Eye was frugal, her eyes grew wide upon seeing the amount he'd amassed over the years. The gold she was set to inherit was ten years' worth of her salary.
"Do you know when he put this will into place, out of curiosity?"
Scrimgeour rifled through the paperwork. "30th June of this year. It would appear Alastor planned well."
"Wow," Tonks said in disbelief, as she signed the last of the paperwork. She could hardly believe it – just yesterday she was worried about her entire family losing their jobs over the course of mere weeks. Though she missed Mad-Eye terribly, she felt a sense of protection from afar. He'd taken care of her one last time, even in death.
Tonks stood from Scrimgeour's office, and, feeling more confident than she had that morning, returned to listing the names of all Muggle-born witches and wizards.