Chapter 13: Tonks

February 10, 1992

(the present)

January 14, 1992

Dear Aunt Dromeda,

Thank you for the jumper you sent me. I put it on, and it was nice. The charm never wears off. My Hufflepuff best friend, Hermione, and I are learning the spell. She is a Hufflepuff, but she's more like a Ravenclaw because she's the brightest in our year.

I am sending you another box of cookies I got from Mother and Gus yesterday. Gust never stops sending me food because he wants me to 'grow taller than the manor'! Imagine that!

No one mentioned you are a healer. I heard from my mother once that had she not married my father straight after finishing her Hogwarts education, she would've become a healer. Is it something you two have wanted since you were young? What was Mother like as a child? And you?

By the way, what does your husband do, Aunt Dromeda? How about Nymphadora? I am looking forward to the day I can finally meet you and your family in person.

This ballpoint pen Hermione lent me is running out of ink. I know I shouldn't be using this at Hogwarts, but I swear I don't use it in classes. Just for doodling or anything.

'Til next time!

Your nephew,

Draco

.

January 15, 1992

Dear Cousin Draco,

My name is Nymphadora Tonks. Call me 'Tonks', but never call me Dora. I've just learned from Mother about your correspondence. I just arrived home yesterday from my Auror training. Yes, that's what I do. I'm an Auror in the making. It has been my dream since I had my first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson with Professor Shacklebolt in my first year. He's one of my trainers now in Auror training. Too bad, Hogwarts' D.A.D.A. professor changes every year, eh? I hope they're giving you good ones.

I hope to hear more from you – whether about your classes, your childhood, or… your Hufflepuff best friend Mum told me about.

Love,

Tonks

.

January 16, 1992

My dearest nephew,

I'm glad you liked the jumper I made just for you, and thank you again for the homemade cookies.

You can use ballpoint pens in Hogwarts if you're alone. Don't let a teacher catch you. How is Severus Snape as Head of House?

I hope he is fair and no longer deducts points for shallow reasons, and the students have warmed up to him. I was called to the headmaster's office one time because my darling daughter imitated him in class. She changed her appearance to look exactly like him, walked into the Potions classroom, and told her classmates they were going to brew the deadliest potion in the world: shampoo. Severus was behind her, she didn't know. Don't go tell your classmates about that, because Severus will not be happy, and it will only make Nymphadora smug if she learned about it from her younger friends who are still at Hogwarts.

I think the only reason he brought the matter to the headmaster was that he didn't want me to be mad if ever he was to decide on Dora's punishment. Don't tell anyone, but he has a soft side. I used to tutor him from his first to second years, and we became good friends.

My husband is a ministry worker. He's one of those they call 'Unspeakables', so I cannot tell you more about his job as I do not know well about it, either. When he became an Unspeakable, I made an oath in front of their Department Head that I would not ask anything about what they do. Unless, he tells me something really important, like a matter between life and death.

How's your friend, Hermione?

Talk again soon.

Love,

Aunt Dromeda

.

January 20, 1992

Dear Tonks,

How was your Auror training? I heard from Aunt Dromeda that you're a Metamorphmagus. That's just cool, and I reckon you finished Concealment and Disguise with flying colours? I would love to see you, probably around Easter break, what do you say? Your mother also told me we could pass as siblings. I wonder what it would be like to have an older sister, you know.

As for D.A.D.A., I don't enjoy the lecture very much. I don't want to criticize, but when they give you a teacher who stammers all the time, you start wondering why the greatest wizard who happens to be our headmaster hired him. You should teach here for a year! Or tell one of your classmates to apply.

My childhood was not so bad, thanks to my best friends Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass (she's blonde, and she could pass as my sister), and Pansy Parkinson. Father doesn't mind me leaving home if I'm heading to Nott Manor. It's more peaceful there. I'm closer to Theo than Daphne and Pansy. But a few months ago, I also became best friends with Hermione Granger, a Hufflepuff Muggle-born. My parents don't know about it. We're secret friends, and she doesn't mind. She understands. She's the brightest witch in my year (your handsome cousin is the brightest wizard) and she's the only one who could beat me.

'Til next time!

Love from your handsome and brilliant cousin,

Draco

.

"Dora's back from a mission with Mad-Eye," Draco informed her after reading the last letter from his cousin.

He was at the study table in 'their' library. Hermione was on the rug by the fireplace, reading her book on Animagus. She thought she could do it, but she wanted to do it legally. If she asked Professor McGonagall now, she might tell the staff members how advanced she was, and Hermione was afraid the headmaster would see the 'potential' in her for 'the greater good'. She didn't want that. She just wanted to do things with Draco, with the guidance of Professor Snape.

Currently, they were in the Room of Requirement. Draco had been consistently writing to his cousin and aunt since last month.

"Does she allow you to call her Dora?" she asked. He and Tonks had exchanged a couple of letters, and that seemed to make Draco happy.

"Nope. She hates it when I do, but maybe Aunt Dromeda told her I can't call her by her surname because we're family. I'm asking her tonight to do me a favour and find Remus Lupin, so the potion can be delivered."

Hermione rose to her feet and joined Draco at the table. She moved to sit on the chair beside him, but he pulled her to his lap, making her giggle.

"Theo and Daph might arrive," she told him but shifted in his lap to face him sideways.

Draco wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple. "We'll know before they enter the door."

"So, how are you going to give her the potion?" she asked.

"Professor Snape is going to meet either Aunt Dromeda or Dora. We cannot leave the castle."

"Glad he agreed to help. Oh, we owe him so much."

"I agree. I think we have to always keep him in the loop, keep him out of harm's way. If only we can end things sooner, so he wouldn't have to face the Dark Lord years from now…"

The door appeared on the wall, and Hermione got off Draco's lap to sit on the chair beside him. She straightened her skirt and tie, making sure they were in place. She hadn't bothered to fix her hair – it was useless. A few moments later, Theo and Daphne entered the room, looking pleased with themselves.

"Hey, where have you guys been?" she smiled at the two.

Theo and Daphne pulled the chairs across from her and Draco. "Theo's dorm," replied Daphne, still grinning from ear to ear. "You wouldn't believe this! Show them, show them!" She turned to Theo eagerly.

Theo reached for something inside his robes. It was a piece of old parchment that Hermione was so familiar with.

She swallowed hard, remembering the first time she ever saw it and ever used it.

She remembered borrowing it to help her with her patrols as a Prefect.

She remembered watching Harry watching it, looking for Draco.

She remembered it lying on the floor, abandoned by Harry, then picking it up, seeing Harry's dot nearing Draco's.

She remembered running out of the dormitory, holding the old parchment as if her life depended on it, but it was too late. Draco was scarred.

She remembered Harry looking at it again during their Horcrux hunt, looking at Ginny's dot.

She remembered the last time she ever used and saw it: the Battle of Hogwarts, the day when they defeated the dark side and the war ended.

She turned to Draco, giving him a piercing glare, but he didn't meet her eyes. He was listening to Theo and Daphne. She turned to her friends. "How did you learn about it?"

"Well, Draco saw the Weasley twins using this," Theo replied, "then heard that they need money for their dream joke shop, so Draco and I agreed to send them a letter, offering fifty galleons for this map."

Hermione rose to her feet and placed her hands on her hips. "Fifty galleons for that?! Are you crazy?" she shrieked.

"Geez, My-knee," Daphne groaned. "I didn't know you could act like a mother goose! Sit down!"

She obliged. "Sorry," she muttered to Daphne.

"Fifty galleons is not big of a deal," the other witch assured her. "Well, at least not for… us. Just because our parents don't care how much we spend."

"So, the three of you contributed?" she asked.

"Yeah," they said all together.

"All right. You own the Marauders' Map," she said, not trying to sound indifferent.

"Hermione, you can use this, too, of course!" Daphne told her in a jovial manner. "We're best friends!"

She nodded and gave them a small smile. "Thanks."

She wasn't upset that they did not include her in the plan, but because Harry would no longer possess the map. The map was very essential and had a sentimental value to Harry. No matter how she disliked Harry at this time, she still thought that Harry should be the owner of the map. It was, after all, created by his father and godfather (with their friends).

Hermione paid attention to Theo and Daphne's demonstration of how to use the map, but she sent Draco piercing glares.

.

March 7, 1999

(Hermione and Draco's past)

Hermione received a letter from Ginny this morning, asking if they could meet at the Three Broomsticks. The letter was friendly and apologetic, and Hermione could not help but miss Ginny. She sent a note to Draco about it, then she headed out.

She spotted her redhead friend upon entering the Three Broomsticks easily. Ginny was wearing a Harpies shirt and was surrounded by some seventh-year students – students in her year. They were congratulating her and asked for autographs. But when Ginny noticed her presence, she excused herself to meet her.

Ginny met her halfway and hugged her tight. "Hermione…" Ginny's voice cracked. She could tell she was almost crying.

Hermione returned the hug. "I missed you, Gin."

Ginny squeezed her once more before letting go. "Come on, I booked a private room."

Moments later, they were having tea, sitting across from each other at a table in the room Ginny had booked on the second floor of the pub.

"You look good," she commented sincerely. "Even more beautiful."

Ginny smiled. "So do you. Guess you finally have a knack for cosmetics and fashion," she teased.

She blushed. "Not me, actually."

Ginny gave her a questioning look.

"It's Pansy. She's studying Muggle fashion and trying to influence me," she chuckled nervously.

Ginny offered her a small smile and nodded. "Harry and Ron told me about what they saw in Diagon Alley… But just so you know, they didn't send me. I honestly want to see you… want to hear from you. And I hope, you can forgive me for not reaching out…"

She smiled and reached for her friend's hand, squeezing it. "I still want to be friends with you, Gin. You just have to tell me where we are… or if we're still on the same page."

"I won't ask you why you are friends with them because… you know, war changes people. I know that from experience. But… are you happy with them? Are they treating you right? Do you still get to see Luna or Neville?"

"Yes to all, Gin," she smiled. "For Neville, you know, he's busy so we don't have the chance to see each other. But we're good. I spend time with Luna at school."

Ginny smiled. "That's good. I guess we can hang out on the anniversary. If you don't mind…"

"Sure, no problem." She was really glad that her meetup with Ginny was going well. This was the kind of reunion she wanted to have with Harry and Ron. Maybe, after she and Ginny started catching up again, Harry and Ron would come around. Then, she thought it might be the right time to let her old friends know about Draco. "Although, I have to tell you something, and please be calm about it…"

Ginny inhaled and exhaled as if bracing herself, then nodded.

"I have a boyfriend now..."

"Hermione, that's great…" Ginny said, but she didn't sound cheerful. She sounded and looked worried. "He's one of them, isn't he?"

She nodded. "It's Draco."

.

February 11, 1992

(the present time)

"Zabini, you have to cooperate! Professor Snape assigned this work to the two of us!"

Hermione's eyes searched for the owner of the familiar voice. She found Pansy in the courtyard, a few feet away from her, standing with her hands on her hips and towering Blaise Zabini. He was sitting on the ground and leaning against a tree.

Zabini scowled at Pansy. "I told you, I can work independently. I do not need any help from you. I've already divided our tasks. Do yours, and I'll do mine," he said sharply.

Pansy let a loud huff and marched to where Draco, Theo, and Daphne were sitting. "Draco, Zabini wouldn't cooperate with our Potions project."

Draco was quick to his feet and came over to Zabini, closely followed by Pansy. Hermione could not hear what Draco was saying, but Zabini looked unhappy and didn't say anything until Draco left.

Pansy remained standing in front of Zabini, giving the dark wizard a triumphant smile.

Zabini stood up and gathered his bag. "You're such a tattletale!" he yelled at her and walked away. Then, he looked back. "Library. Now!"

When Pansy and Blaise were gone, Draco sent her a discreet look and mouthed 'Room of Requirement' before getting up, following Theo and Daphne to the castle.

She took her time packing her things. She wasn't in the mood to talk to Draco, actually. She was conflicted. She got upset with him last night for buying the map from the twins. The map would play a big role in Harry's life in the future. Yes, Harry had the cloak, but the map would save him from trouble.

But then, she remembered what Draco said last night after Daph and Theo left them.

"We need this more than he does. We're going to save his poor arse and delay his face-to-face meeting with Voldemort."

He had a point. Maybe they could really save Harry and help him better than Dumbledore did in the past. But now that they have changed a lot of things, she could not help but worry about what the future would be for them.

When she opened the door of the room, she found herself in their home for a couple of years. The home that Draco bought for them. And before she could look around to find Draco, she was yanked by the waist from behind.

.

March 7, 1999

(Hermione and Draco's past)

Hermione's anxiety was gone when she realized it was only Draco who had grabbed her by the waist from behind. He planted urgent kisses on her neck and shoulders, and he was handsy. One hand on her breast, and the other cupped her sex, making her squirm against him and her butt poked his growing erection. She rested her head on his chest.

"Draco," she whined.

"More, love?" he asked in a hushed tone as if he couldn't contain himself, either.

"Yes!" she almost yelled because his fingers found her dripping core. "Oh, Merlin, Draco… I swear, your fingers are so…"

Draco gave her neck one last nip before Apparating the two of them to his room in the manor, carrying her to the bed. He deposited her with her butt on the edge, her feet on the floor. Draco removed their clothes with magic – everything, including their underwear, then knelt in front of her. He placed her legs on his shoulders and started kissing her inner legs and thighs until Hermione could feel his breath on her sex. She closed her eyes and swallowed, preparing herself for pleasure. Draco kissed her wet centre before diving his tongue inside her.

.

February 11, 1992

(the present time)

"You still mad at me?" Draco asked after a few seconds.

They were lying side by side on the bed, facing each other.

"This bed is too big for us now," she commented instead. "But in the past, it was just right for the two of us."

Draco didn't say anything, but he cupped her cheek with one hand. "Don't be mad at me, Hermione. You're my favourite person in the world and the one that comes first. You know that, right?"

She closed her eyes. "I know. You're my favourite person, too." She opened her eyes and met his grey orbs. "I'm just so confused. We've already changed a lot. How do we get rid of Quirrell and Voldemort? Even if we destroy all of the Horcruxes now… even if it would be possible to sneak into your crazy aunt's vault to get the cup, there's still Harry. He's an accidental Horcrux."

"One step at a time, love. First, let's get rid of Quirrell and protect the students. Protect Potter. We should prevent him from getting the Stone."

"Harry doesn't have any knowledge of the trap door or the three-headed dog. He doesn't suspect Professor Snape this time," she replied.

"Let's make sure it stays that way. Then, we'll let the authorities deal with the unicorn-sucking scum."

She laughed at that. "Ever wondered how Quirrell sleeps at night?"

Draco frowned at first, then he probably realized what she was thinking because he laughed hard, too.

It was silly, but she felt good, laughing. It was as if very heavy baggage was relieved off her shoulders.

.

March 7, 1999

(Hermione and Draco's past)

"Love, why are you crying? Did I hurt you?" Draco asked worriedly, minutes after their lovemaking. They were lying on the bed, their body tangled.

She shook her head. "No, no…" she assured him. "It's just…"

Draco wiped her tears and gave her a concerned look. "What is it? Tell me who I have to kill for making you cry."

And she cried even more. She buried her face in his chest and hugged him close.

"Sorry, bad joke, love," he said, soothing her. "Don't wanna go to Azkaban, especially now that I have you."

She shook her head again, still clinging to him. How could she tell him about what happened earlier?

Draco kissed her forehead and ran a hand on her back. He also tucked her to his side, making her feel safe and loved. He didn't push her to talk, but she knew he was waiting. Patiently.

"Told you about meeting Ginny this morning, didn't I? You got my note?" she asked quietly.

He grunted in response.

"Everything was going well. Ginny was so nice and sincere… and apologetic. She didn't ask me why I'm friends with you. She just asked if I was happy, if you were treating me right, and if I still meet our old friends like Neville and Luna. We were okay… So, I thought it was the right time to let her know about our relationship."

Draco hummed, letting her know he was listening. His hand didn't stop running circles on her back.

"But Harry was in the room, hiding under his invisibility cloak."

Draco grunted, but this time, in disappointment.

"He was mad, but I was, too. I was mad at Ginny, and she swore she didn't know Harry followed her."

"Do you believe her?" Draco asked her.

She sighed heavily. "I think I do. Harry's an Auror-in-the-making, so he's probably learned how to slither without being noticed."

Draco laughed, dropping a kiss on her forehead. "You make him sound like a snake."

"The way he acted earlier; he is!" she said in annoyance and pulled away from Draco to sit on the bed. "I hate him! I really do!" she pulled her hair in frustration.

Draco quickly sat up and pulled her hands gently so she would stop pulling her hair. Then, he pulled her against him, resting her back on his chest. "Tell me what he said." He sounded calm and composed.

"He brought up Ginny's deceased brother... and Dobby. He questioned me… like, how can I even stand being with the family of murderers? The flesh and blood of those who tortured and killed Ginny's family… of the people who wanted us dead for many years. As if it was all your fault your fathers were Death Eaters… As if you, Pansy, and Daphne are still plotting our deaths with your fathers… As if Theo joined Voldemort's circle… It was stupid, I told him. And he got even madder when I asked how he could stand being related to Voldemort."

"What?!" Draco exclaimed.

She snorted. "Figured it out. They both descended from the Peverell family. He wasn't making any sense to me, so I brought that up, stupid, I know."

Draco laughed beautifully. "What did he say after that?"

She shrugged. "He was livid. I left. And I came here." She turned into his arms and hugged Draco. "Because you're the only one who can make me feel better."

Draco's eyes were intense, and his grip on her waist tightened, but she wasn't aching because of them. She was aching between her legs.