After Remus left the tallest tower, Tonks leisurely walked towards Severus' bedchamber. No, their bedchamber, Tonks reminded herself. She smiled to herself, thinking of Severus' reaction when she told him that she had been Harry for the past week.
Much to her disappointment, Severus was not there when she entered the bedchamber. She took a long shower and started to get ready for bed. She kept hoping that he would come in at any moment.
Tonks looked at the clock and realized that it was almost two o'clock in the morning. Settling herself in bed, and waited for sleep to come.
Suddenly, Tonks was woken up with a crash in the living area.
She sat up quickly and reached for her wand. "Severus?" she asked warily.
"Dora?" Severus asked. His voice sounded unnaturally high. "Dora?"
Tonks jumped out of bed and ran over to Severus. He was curled up in a ball on the floor. "Merlin's beard, Severus. Are you allright?"
"Dora?" Severus asked again.
Something was not right. Tonks turned on all the lights. Severus was hugging his knees and rocking back and forth.
Tonks helped Severus stand up off of the floor. "Severus, what happened?" she cried.
"Dora?" Severus repeated.
They walked over to the bed, and Tonks laid him down. She looked him over, trying to figure out what was wrong. Then she saw it.
His eyes were blank.
Tonks' hands went over her mouth. She could tell that he had been hit with the Cruciatus curse repeatedly. Had it been enough to push him over the edge?
She snapped herself out of her stupor, and let her Auror training take over. She ran to the fireplace and flooed a message to the Hospital Wing. Luckily, Madam Pomfrey answered right away. She promised to be down immediately. Quickly, Tonks removed the wards on the bedchamber to allow Madam Pomfrey access.
Tonks took Severus' heavy cloak off of him. She sat right next to him and put her hands on his cheeks.
"You are Severus Snape," Tonks said with authority. "Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts."
"Potions?" he asked weakly.
"I am Nymphadora Tonks," Tonks said, looking him right in the eye. "We love each other very much."
"Dora?" Severus asked.
"Yes, Severus," Tonks said. "I'm Dora."
"Dora," Severus said, sounding content.
Madam Pomfrey entered the bedchamber then. "What's happened?"
"I think he was hit with Cruciatus for a long time," Tonks said, her eyes not leaving Severus' face.
"Is he staring back at you?" Madame Pomfrey asked.
"Yes," Tonks said softly.
"Don't break the connection, dear. Give him something to focus on. I'll work around you," Madam Pomfrey said briskly.
"You are Severus Snape," Tonks said again. Inside, she wanted to cry. But she knew that that would be the absolute worst thing she could do right now.
"Snape?" he asked.
"Yes, Severus Snape," Tonks said, as Madam Pomfrey poured a vial of potion down his throat.
For the next hour, Tonks spoke in short phrases, and Madam Pomfrey would give him various potions. Finally, he fell asleep.
Tonks stood up and walked to the door with Madam Pomfrey.
"Should we move him to the hospital wing?" Tonks asked.
Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "If he wakes up in the middle of the night, I want him here where it's familiar. I don't think he was hit hard enough to cause permement damage his mind. We'll know more tomorrow."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey," Tonks sighed.
"Call me Poppy, dear. Floo if you need me," Madam Pomfrey said, patting Tonks' shoulder. She then left the room quietly. Tonks quickly placed some protective wards on the room.
Then she curled up next to Severus. She wanted to be right next to him if he woke up.
Tonks refused to let herself fall asleep. All night she could feel herself getting sleepy, but she forced herself to stay awake.
Finally, it was morning. Tonks sat up and watched Severus' chest slowly rise and fall with each breath.
After fifteen minutes, Severus slowly opened his eyes. He looked straight at Tonks. "Dora," he whispered.
Tonks tried not to be too overjoyed. It wasn't a question. It was a definitive statement.
"Severus?" she asked softly.
"Oh Merlin," Severus moaned. His eyes looked around the room.
"How are you feeling?" Tonks asked hesitantly.
"Like hell," Severus said roughly. "I fought so hard not to lose myself last night."
Tonks threw herself into Severus' arms. "I was so worried!" Tonks cried. "I thought I lost you!"
"I'm here, Dora. I'm here," Severus said. "I'm just worn out."
Tonks hugged him tighter. "I'm so glad you didn't lose your mind."
"What day is it? Do I have to teach?" Severus asked.
"It's Tuesday. But Poppy was here last night. I'm sure she told Albus," Tonks said.
"Poppy was here?" Severus asked.
Tonks nodded. "She had some potions for you too take."
"Thank goodness you were here last night. If you weren't…" Severus trailed off. Tonks shuddered. If she hadn't been here, Severus might have simply stayed on the floor, sinking slowly into madness.
"Mission ended just in time," Tonks said softly.
"Where were you?" Severus asked, stroking her orange, curly hair.
"I'll tell you all about it when you're feeling better," Tonks told him. She had no intention on telling him in the condition he was in.
Severus nodded and his eyes fluttered a bit. "You should get some more sleep," Tonks said gently.
"Stay with me?" he asked.
Tonks smiled. "Of course," she said as she settled herself next to him. Sleep then washed over them both.
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A few hours later, there was a frantic voice from the fireplace.
"Tonks!" the voice cried.
She had just gotten out of the shower when she heard it. Quickly, she grabbed Severus' robe and went to see who was calling.
Professor McGonagall was looking up from the fire. "There's word of an attack in Diagon Alley," she said quickly. "Arthur just reported it. He said that every available Auror should report."
Tonks stood up from her kneeling position on the floor. "Thank you, Professor. I'll be right over."
Severus was still in bed. "What's happened?" he asked quietly.
Tonks ran over to the small armoire that held their clothes. "Time to put on my battle gear, I'm afraid," she said with a smile. She changed into her most comfortable outfit, her patched corduroys with a Weird Sisters T-shirt. Then put on her official Auror robe.
Finally, she morphed her face. A shiver went down her spine remembering her last battle with Death Eaters. If they were still looking for away to capture her, which she was sure they were, Tonks had no intention on making it easier for them.
She aged herself about fifteen years, and gave herself the skin tone and hair of an African.
When she was ready, Tonks turned around and looked at Severus.
"Be careful," he said softly.
Tonks leaned down, and gave him a kiss. "I promise I will be," she whispered.
She took a handful of floo powder and scattered it over the flames. "The Leaky Cauldron," she said in a confident voice.
Moments later, Tonks stood up after having tripped on the rug next to the hearth. The Leaky Cauldron was quiet, which was disconcerting. She ran out towards the brick wall that separated Diagon Alley from the Leaky Cauldron as fast as she could. Then gave pause.
The wall had been blasted down.
As soon as she stepped into Diagon Alley, a stream of blue light shot towards her. "Protego!" Tonks shouted, protecting herself from the spell.
No sooner after she ducked that spell another came right towards her. "Blimey!" Tonks muttered under her breath, as she squatted down to avoid the spell.
Staying low to the ground, Tonks looked around to get her bearings. A group of Aurors were in front of Flourish and Blotts. She made her way over to them.
Kingsley was there. "Wotcher!" Tonks called out.
"I knew one day you'd show up looking like my sister," Kingsley grinned as he blocked a spell.
"I think I look great," Tonks laughed.
"Did I say otherwise?" Kingsley asked.
"So what's the plan?" Tonks asked urgently.
"Main goal is to protect Gringotts," Kingsley reported. "If Death Eaters get a hold of that gold…"
"I thought the Goblins could protect themselves!" Tonks joked.
"Just following orders, my dear," Kingsley said quickly.
"Great, is Fudge running the operation?" Tonks groaned.
Kingsley shrugged his shoulders. "I'll cover you," he said quickly.
Tonks nodded. A violet light burst out of Kingsley's wand. Tonks ducked and ran as quickly as she could towards Gringotts. At least a dozen Aurors were standing in front of the bank, throwing various spells at the Death Eaters. Three Aurors were simply placing wards on Gringotts.
"Wotcher!" Tonks yelled, letting her fellow Aurors know it was her.
"Tonks, go on foot patrol!" Teddie Hollandsworth, a senior Auror, called out.
"Sure thing!" Tonks cried back. She quickly turned to her left and headed towards Knockturn Alley.
A group of Aurors were defending the entrance way. Tonks joined them and started casting stunning spells.
Time seemed to go quickly. A group of Death Eaters started apparating. Tonks cast an anti-disapparation charm on the group. Knowing they were trapped, the Death Eaters scattered.
An Auror on Tonks left cast a stunning spell on the group. At least three Death Eaters fell to the ground. Tonks ran over to the group. She took of their masks, one at a time. She gave a sigh of relief when she saw that Narcissa Malfoy was one of them. At least now she would be safe, even if she was in prison. Draco would be glad to know that his mother was alive.
"Tonks, Kirke and Wong," a senior Auror yelled, "Secure the prisoners!"
Tonks waved her wand and invisible ropes burst forth. The ropes wrapped around the three Death Eaters. Calvin Wong helped her pick the three Death Eaters off of the ground.
"Looks we got a few winners here," Calvin joked.
Tonks looked at the Death Eaters. There was Narcissa, along with Antonin Dolohov and a man she didn't recognize. The stunning spells there were hit with seemed to be wearing off.
"Where are we putting them?" Tonks asked quietly.
"Madam Malkins, Tonks," Calvin answered.
Narcissa seemed to snap to attention then. She turned her head towards Tonks and had a vicious smile on her face. "So how is my dear niece?" she slurred, not completely awake from the stunning spell.
"Trying to save your life for your son," Tonks whispered.
Narcissa's eyes went wide. "Draco?" she asked. "He's safe?"
As Tonks led the Death Eaters to Madam Malkin's, she realized how sad it was that Narcissa had no idea if her son was safe, or even alive.
"He's alive," Tonks told her. Before she could stop herself, she added, "And in Ravenclaw."
Tonks had to suppress a grin at the look on Narcissa's face. They entered Madam Malkin's quickly.
At least a dozen Aurors were guarding Death Eaters in custody. It looked to be at least ten; not including the three Tonks was helping to bring in.
Jordon Sosenko, a heavyset Auror who had the best aim Tonks had ever seen was in charge of the guards. Tonks quickly identified herself and Jordan asked if she could stay.
"Of course," Tonks said, leading Narcissa with the rest of the prisoners.
"Have you seen him?" Narcissa hissed. "He's back at Hogwarts?"
Tonks nodded, not willing to give her too much information. Once Narcissa was secured, Tonks sat down briefly and put her head in her hands. She couldn't quite everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours.
Suddenly there was a loud blast that rocked the entire building. Tonks was thrown to the ground and lost consciences for a few moments. When she came to, she found herself staring at a war zone.
The building had been torn apart. Death Eaters and Aurors were lying on the ground. Tonks realized that she was very lucky that she was able to stand after such an explosion.
Tonks worked tirelessly along with other able Aurors to pull people from the wreckage. To her relief most everyone that was there was alive.
She turned to her left and saw two Aurors, their wands out, lifting an extremely heavy looking bureau off of the ground. There were two people underneath it, obviously dead by the angles of their bodies.
Tonks saw the white blonde hair of one of the bodies and turned around quickly, closing her eyes.
Narcissa Malfoy lay on the ground, looking peaceful, as if she were asleep. But Tonks knew the woman was dead.