Chapter Twenty-Four – Family Ties
Later that evening, after all the paperwork had been completed and all the interviews been given, Tonks apparated to Hogsmeade. She couldn't quite understand the feeling of emptiness inside her.
The battle at Diagon Alley ended with a victory on the Ministry's side. Nine Death Eaters were either killed or captured. Tonks had every reason to feel proud, happy even.
But her thoughts turned to her cousin Draco, who didn't know he was an orphan yet. Tonks needed to tell him tonight. She was sure it would be all over the papers tomorrow morning.
Tonks enjoyed the crisp November air for a few more minutes, and then, with a heavy heart, made the walk back to Hogwarts.
She whispered the password to gain access to Severus' bedchamber. She hoped that he would be there. Tonks just needed to see him.
Severus was sleeping, sitting upright on the couch. He awoke with a sudden jerk when he heard the door open.
For a moment, they just looked at each other and spoke without sound.
Tonks sat next to him and leaned against him. Severus wrapped his arm around her protectively. His other hand played with her light pink spikes.
Just after settling in, Tonks made a move to get up. "I'm filthy. I should shower," she said, sounding embarrassed.
Severus used his strength and kept her from standing up. "You're fine," he whispered in her hair.
"I probably smell," Tonks said in a small voice. "I'm all sweaty."
"You're fine," he repeated, holding her closer.
Tonks hit her forehead with her hand. "Look at me, just worrying about myself," she cried. She turned to look him in the eye. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Severus said slowly. "At least I remember who I am now."
"Good," Tonks whispered. She rested her hand on Severus' knee and gave it a squeeze. "Did you know about the attacks today?"
Severus looked pained. "Attacks were mentioned briefly. The Dark Lord did not plan those himself. I was being punished as the meeting went on, and didn't hear any of the details," he said with a grimace on his face.
"Why were you being punished?" Tonks asked gently.
"The Dark Lord has a new plan," Severus said. Tonks was startled. She could hear anger in his voice. "I'm fighting against it. And because of that, I'm being punished."
"What's the plan?" Tonks asked, not knowing if she wanted to hear the answer.
"He's obsessed with you, Dora," Severus said fiercely. Tonks sat up quickly. "Not you personally. But the idea of having a metamorph work for him. He wanted you last year, and he still wants you now."
"You don't think I could just tell him politely that I'm not interested, do you?" Tonks said, trying to smile.
"Dora…" Severus muttered.
Tonks jumped up. "Then I'll do what I did last year," she said quickly. "I'll change my face everyday. You'll be able to tell Voldemort that you can't find me."
"We'll see," Severus said, reaching his hand out for her.
Tonks took his hand and settled herself next to him again. "Damnit," she said under her breath.
"What's wrong?" Severus asked.
She closed her eyes. "Narcissa Malfoy was killed," Tonks sighed. "I'd like to tell Draco before he reads it in the papers.'
Before Severus could reply, Tonks jumped up and ran into the bathroom. She took a quick shower and changed into a fresh pair of clothes. As she put her dirty clothes in the hamper, Tonks cried out, "Shit!"
"Dora?" Severus asked, sounding alarmed.
Tonks marched over to Severus, holding her favorite pair of corduroys. To her horror, tears started welling in her eyes. "I must have ripped my pants during the battle," she said sadly.
Severus gave her a confused look. "You're worried about your pants?"
"I love these pants!" Tonks whined. "I put all the patches on them myself and without using magic. And now they're ruined!"
"I'm sure you can fix them, Dora," Severus said with an amused look in his eye.
"My pants," she whispered, throwing them on the floor. She stared at the corduroys for another minute. Then finally, she forced herself to act. "Is the password for Ravenclaw still Gorgon?"
Severus nodded. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said mockingly.
Tonks picked up the pair of pants and threw them at him. "Don't you dare make fun of these pants? I love these pants more than life itself!"
"More than me?"
She thought for a moment. "Well, a close second, anyways." She then turned and walked out the door.
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Tonks found Draco not in the Ravenclaw common room, but in the library. She slipped in the seat across from him. "Studying hard, I hope?" Tonks joked.
Draco looked up, and Tonks saw that he seemed pleased to see her. "Hardly studying, I think you mean."
"Right then. I like the way you think," Tonks smiled. "What are the chances of us having a bit of a chat?"
A worried look passed Draco's face. "Now?" he asked.
Tonks nodded. "Now," she repeated.
Draco gathered his books and put them in his bag. "Let's go," he said, standing up.
They walked in silence. Tonks saw an empty classroom and led Draco inside.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked, sitting on top of an empty desk.
"There was a battle at Diagon Alley today," Tonks started.
"Did you see my mother?" Draco asked quickly.
"Yes," Tonks said, wringing her hands. "Narcissa asked about you. I told her that you were here and doing fine."
The smile on Draco's face broke Tonks' heart. "She asked about me? Really?"
"She did," Tonks said. "Narcissa was captured and taken to a makeshift prison in Diagon Alley."
Her voice started to break up. "There was explosion, Draco. We think that the Death Eaters were trying to free the prisoners…"
"She's dead, isn't she?" Draco asked haltingly.
Tonks nodded and wiped a tear that fell from her eye. "I'm so sorry, Draco."
"I don't believe this," Draco said in a hallow voice. "She's really dead."
Tonks noticed that Draco seemed to be having a hard time breathing. "Take a deep breath, Draco," Tonks ordered.
"My parents are dead and you want me to worry about breathing?" Draco said with a dry laugh. He was practically hyperventilating now.
Tonks stormed over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. She had seen people go into shock like this before. Hell, Tonks had had gone through this before. She just wanted to make sure Draco breathed.
"Breathe, Draco," Tonks said softly.
Draco looked around the room, anywhere it seemed, but at her. Tonks was pleased though to see that he indeed was trying to take some deep breaths.
After a few moments, Draco seemed to be breathing normally. "Did she suffer?" he asked in a small voice.
"I don't think so," Tonks said truthfully. "The blast was over very quickly."
"I don't want her to suffer," Draco said fervently.
"She didn't," Tonks reassured him. She took a moment and forced herself to say the rest. "Draco, your mother's remains…"
Draco looked at her sharply. "Won't they destroy them, like father's?" he asked.
Tonks shook her head. "You're father was much higher on the wanted list. That's why his remains were destroyed. You're mother will be cremated tomorrow. I signed for the ashes."
Draco closed his eyes, and Tonks saw him truly accept what had happened. He placed his head in his hands and Tonks could hear him crying softly.
Finally, he looked up. His eyes looked silver through the tears. "Thank you. I mean it."
Tonks tried to smile, and ended up with half of one. "You're welcome," she said. "I could bring them here tomorrow. Maybe we could have a small memorial service."
Draco stared at his hands. "I'd like that."
"Would any of your friends…" Tonks started to say, but Draco cut her off.
"I told you already. I don't have any friends," he said sadly.
"Professor Snape?" Tonks asked lightly.
"No," Draco said quickly. Then thought the better of it. "Yes. Yes, I'd like him there as well."
Tonks nodded. Draco stood up and Tonks could tell that the time for confidence was over.
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Tonks, Severus and Draco stood next to the far side of the lagoon at dusk. It was quite cold. She handed Draco the makeshift urn.
"So this is my mother," Draco said sadly.
Tonks was surprised that Severus hadn't said anything to this point. She would have thought that he would try to comfort his godson more.
Without ceremony, Draco scattered the ashes over the lagoon. The three of them stood in silence.
"Would you like to say anything, Draco?" Tonks asked gently.
Draco looked down at her. "You're my only family now," he said sadly.
Tonks gulped. "Not just me," Tonks said, trying to sound optimistic. "My parents consider you their nephew. And we do have another aunt out there. She might someday see that she fights for the wrong side."
"You have me as well, Draco," Severus said, putting his hand on the young man's shoulder.
Draco took a giant step back and took his wand out before anyone had a chance to react. "Expelliamus!" he cried, causing Severus' wand to be thrown from him.
"Accio wand!" Draco yelled. Severus' wand flew off the ground into Draco's hand. Draco pointed his own wand straight at Severus' chest.
Tonks took out her own wand and pointed it at Draco. "What in the world are you doing?" Tonks cried.
"He's a Death Eater, Tonks!" Draco said angrily. "He's only pretending to be working on your side. You need to arrest him!"
"Draco," Severus said earnestly. "I know what you've seen at meetings and what your father told you…"
"Don't you talk about my father!" Draco screamed. "It's because of you Death Eaters my parents are dead. You should be in Azkaban!"
Tonks simply lowered her wand and looked at Draco.
"Why won't you arrest him?" Draco pleaded. "He's a Death Eater. Please, Tonks."
"He's not a Death Eater, Draco," Tonks whispered.
"He is," Draco whispered. "He helped put the Imperius Curse on you last year with me. He got out of it though. He gets out of everything."
Tonks looked at Severus and they shared a long look. She seemed to realize without Severus telling her that she needed to tell Draco the truth. He deserved that much.
"Draco, Severus is on the side of light," she said softly.
"Bullshit," Draco whispered. "Does he have you under the Imperius Curse?"
"He's been working against Voldemort all this time," Tonks said. Draco shuddered when hearing the Dark Lord's name.
"I am loyal to Albus Dumbledore, Draco," Severus said finally. "I am not loyal to…to Voldemort."
Tonks turned her head quickly and looked at Severus. She had never heard him say Voldemort's name before.
Draco lowered his wand. "You once said you would never dishonor him by letting his name pass your lips," Draco said softly. "I don't believe this."
"Believe it, Draco," Tonks said. "It's the truth."
Draco turned his back to them. Tonks took a step closer to Severus.
Then Draco whirled around. "You killed my father, didn't you?" Draco asked Severus. Draco looked at Tonks. "You said you took the blame because it would ruin the person who killed him."
Severus took a breath. "I did kill your father, Draco," Severus said sadly.
Draco ran his hands through his hair. "Why?" Draco asked desperately. "Why couldn't you have stunned him? Had him taken to prison?"
"Severus was protecting me," Tonks said.
"No offense, Tonks, but why are you worth killing over?" Draco demanded.
Tonks was surprised to feel Severus take her hand and take a step closer to her.
Draco looked at them wildly. "You're together?" he asked, sounding completely surprised.
"Yes," Severus answered firmly. "Only a few people know. You know how he wants a metamorph."
"If he ever found out that you two are together…" Draco started.
"It would mean both of our lives," Tonks answered.
She reached out and took Draco's hand with her free one. Draco took a step in, so that they were standing in a small circle.
Minutes passed. No one said a word. Tonks could see that Draco was still trying to accept everything that he had just learned. His lips started to open and close, as if he wanted to say something. Finally he did.
"My family."