'Furlough leave? Again?' Moody snaps impatiently at his protégé, as she hands over to him a filled leave request form.
'I have to remind you, sir' the girl says firmly 'That I score the best time at the assault courses out of all of the current Aurors' trainees, and my spellwork is the most impressive from the bunch, as you have declared yourself. I have a right to request a few days off.'
Moody rolls his healthy eye.
'Alright.' he sighs and reaches for a quill to sign the request form. 'But you will stay away from goblins and won't let them run any more tests for you. It clearly distracts you, and makes your mind occupied with some unimportant bullshit, rather than with your training. This is an order, and I will know if you disobey, Tonks.' he said in a warning voice.
'Yes, sir.'
Tonks tells the truth. She is going to be staying away from goblins during her time off. It doesn't mean that she is not going to be finding out more about her family, though.
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Tonks apparates in front of a heavy, iron gate leading to a large, neat estate.
A nice, old-fashioned manor can be seen from afar.
She apprehensively pushes the gate and steps inside. She walks along the courtyard, passing by some beautiful white peacocks.
Tonks rolls her eyes internally. This family is obviously reach and likes fancy stuff, but peacocks? It is a little bit over the top.
Apart from the birds, the estate looks very nice, comfortable and welcoming. Tonks feels a little cramp in her stomach. She had never even knew that her close family is in a possession of such a fancy, extravagant and beautiful manor. She should have been coming here as a child to visit, she should have had memories connected to this place. She has none.
What is worse, she has no damn idea about the people leaving in the manor. According to the records obtained at Gringotts' , they are her Auntie and Uncle, and a young cousin.
Tonks anxiously reaches for the piece of parchment to her inner pocket. Her Auntie's name is Narcissa. Her Uncle is Lucius and her cousin is Draco. She knows nothing but their names.
The girl arrives at the front door and knocks hesitantly. She hasn't announced her visit in any way. Only now she realizes that she should have sent an owl beforehand.
A wrinkled, ugly, small house elf opens the door.
'How Dobby can assist the young lady?' the house elf asks in screeching voice.
'Oh... Dobby, is it? C-can you please take me to your Master and Mistress?' Tonks asks timidly. A family that can afford a luxury of having a house elf is a rarity. This one must be seriously wealthy.
'Master, Mistress and Young Master are eating their dinner in the dining hall, the young lady follows Dobby!' the elf screeched.
Young Master? Tonks thinks. It must be cousin Draco. It's still summer holidays, so the boy is not at school yet.
The girl follows Dobby through an entrance hall and along the corridor. They step together into a giant, heavily ornamented dining hall with a long oak table.
Three pairs of ice-blue eyes turn towards Tonks as she steps in.
Lucius has long, platinum-blonde hair and aristocratic facial features. He holds himself upright; there is something both gentle and noble in his gestures and facial expressions.
Narcissa is a beautiful woman who reminds Tonks of her Mother a lot. Andromeda has a little bit darker hair tone, ant that would be the only difference between those two. Narcissa has sharp, but pleasant facial features, full lips and fragile frame, just like Andromeda.
Draco is about ten or eleven. His hair tone is identical with Lucius', his eyes are huge and silver-blue.
All three of them are dressed smartly, in finest sets of expensive black robes.
Tonks stands in front of the Malfoy family, feeling awkward.
'Err, I'm really sorry for the unexpected visit. I know it'll be a lame excuse, but I've learned about my ancestry just recently and I...' she starts sheepishly, but Lucius cuts her off.
'And your name, young lady?' he asks, much to the girl's relief, without any sign of hostility or impatience.
'Oh... Sorry, sir. Nymphadora Tonks, sir.' she answers quickly.
Tonks watches Narcissa's eyes widening. Lady Malfoy exchanges meaningful looks with her husband.
'I feel awkward bothering you like this, but, uhh, I have nobody to turn to... I mean, my parents have never told me anything about my extended family, they are very... err, apprehensive, talking about family stuff... I tried bringing this topic up with my mentor, but he... He is a little bit prejudiced, I'm afraid... Goblins from Gringotts have provided me with some comprehensive blood tests and a family tree, but there is no more information I can obtain from them. Just after my tests at Gringotts I have learned about my Mother's two sisters, and err... I've also found out that the older one is imprisoned for some reason. Therefore, I have decided to reach out to you, Lady Malfoy, or, if you permit me... Auntie Narcissa.'
Narcissa watches Tonks curiously. She waves her hand, indicating the girl a place at the table.
'Sit down, please, Nymphadora.'
Tonks obeys, but she cannot help but blush hearing her first name.
'Err, if you don't mind... I'm not really fond of my first name, I prefer to be called by my last. Tonks.' she says timidly.
Narcissa exchanges looks with her husband, amused.
'I think it is not the best idea to call you by your last name, my dear girl.' Lucius said gently. 'It is a Muggle family name . After all, you have inherited it from your Mudblood Father.'
Tonks flinches. Her eyes widens as she looks at Lucius.
The man have just used the word "Mudblood" just like any other word. He didn't even put any emphasis on it, like if he has been using this word his entire life as a normal part of his vocabulary.
Lucius man gives Tonks a questioning look.
'Is anything wrong?'
'Err, no, I mean... I've always considered this m-word a swearword and a slur.' Tonks explains awkwardly. 'My family never uses it. If any kid at Hogwarts had slipped this word, it was considered a mean name-calling. Some teachers have even taken house points for that.'
'My dear niece, we don't blame you for such a way of thinking.' Narcissa says gently. 'After all, you have been growing up in this kind of family. You were raised by my disgrace of a sister. It is normal that you consider certain words and activities as inappropriate or even morally wrong. I couldn't have expected more from Andromeda, than labeling a normal scientific term as a swearword within her own family.'
Tonks jerks. Narcissa and Lucius seem knowledgeable; the girl decides to seize the opportunity and learn more from them.
'It's not only a different outlook on vocabulary, Auntie Narcissa.' she says eagerly. 'Up until my visit in Gringotts, I had no idea I had any extended family. My Mother has never told me about your existence, nor about the existence of my other Aunt. Hell, I haven't even knew my Mother's maiden name. I have never known that I descend from the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. This is the reason I have... decided to reach out to you.'
Narcissa and Lucius seem to be stunned.
'Andromeda hasn't told you anything about your ancestry?' Narcissa asks slowly.
'No, she hasn't! And I'm desperate to learn more, to discover who I really am. Can you perhaps... help me, Auntie Narcissa? Uncle Lucius?'
The Malfoys nod in unison.
'Yes, girl. You have done a right thing coming here to us.' Lucius says seriously.
'First of all, we must decide how are we going to address you.' Narcissa says softly. 'It's not a good idea to use your Muggle last name, and if you dislike your first, how about finding a nice and fitting nickname for you?'
Tonks smiles shyly.
'How about Dora?' Narcissa asks.
Tonks frowns.
'Hmm, it's a little too, ehm, common.' she says sheepishly. She doesn't like the nickname "Dora''.
'Nymphie!' Draco Malfoy exclaims, speaking for the first time during Tonks' visit.
Lucius, Narcissa and Tonks turn their heads towards the boy.
'Nymphie sounds nice, and it isn't so common, nor does it sound like a Muggle name.' Draco explains timidly.
Tonks smiles at the boy.
'It's brilliant.' she says honestly.
Draco stands up and solemnly offers his small hand to Tonks.
'Now we can properly introduce ourselves to each other.' he says. 'I am Draco Lucius Malfoy, pleased to meet you.'
Tonks smiles and shakes the boy's hand.
'Watcher, Draco.' she says. 'I'm Nymphie.'
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Tonks has only three days of the furlough leave. She decides to benefit from this time as much as she can.
Narcissa offers her a huge guest room with a king-sized bed to stay those three days. Lady Malfoy cannot actually believe that her niece needs a "furlough leave" to have a break from school and leave the school grounds on her own.
'Which school do you actually attend, Nymphie?' she asks.
'I'm training to be an Auror.' the girl explains.
Narcissa nods.
'Well, that was to be expected, considering your extraordinary abilities.' she says.
Tonks smiles.
'I was actually surprised that I was even accepted into the Auror School. I'm actually awfully clumsy. Bu, yup, the Metamorphomagus thing comes pretty handy. I don't have to bother learning any disguising glamours or concealing spells.' she replies.
To demonstrate her ability, she focuses briefly on her hair color. Their deep pink turns slowly into platinum blonde: a Malfoy's trademark hair color.
'Wicked!' Draco exclaims, sticking his head out of the neighboring bedroom. 'Now we look like real siblings!'
Tonks grins to the boy. She comes to like Draco.
'Anyway though, do you really need a furlough leave to visit your family?' Narcissa inquires in concern. 'It sounds almost like a military unit, rather than a school.'
'The Aurors School is a military unit.' the girl explains. 'The facility is garrisoned. Each trainee needs their mentor's permission to leave the school grounds.'
'And who your mentor might be?' Narcissa asks.
'Perhaps you've already heard about him, Auntie. Alastor Moody, a Dark Wizards' hunter.'
Narcissa tenses. Her face becomes blank and eye pupils widen.
Tonks curses herself internally. Did she say something wrong again?
Of course, you idiot, she scolds herself. Families such as Malfoys must hate such individuals as Moody. I bet Aurors and Dark Wizards' hunters make lives of such families difficult.
'Uhm, Auntie Narcissa. I'm sorry. I shouldn't even have mentioned his name in front of you.' she says quietly.
'It's quite alright, sweetheart.' Narcissa answers quickly. 'After all, you have just recently learned who you really are. You have made a brilliant decision to approach us. I promise we will help you sort things out. Lucius has some unpleasant experiences with the mentor of yours, I won't deny this. But he also understands that none of them is your fault.'
Tonks nods hesitantly.
She watches Narcissa summoning Dobby and ordering him to make the girl's bed and prepare towels and bathrobes for her. Afterwards, her Aunt and cousin leave the room, wishing her a good night.
Tonks plunges into sleep on a king-sized, ultra-soft bed, thinking about all the secret things she was about to find out throughout the following few days.
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It has begun.
Tonks has never been so excited and so eager to learn, as during those two amazing days.
Discovering Black Family tapestry is the first point of the girls' "education" at the Malfoy Manor.
The tapestry is spread over the entire wall in one of the large rooms. It's painted on a canvas and represents portraits of each family member.
Narcissa stands beside Tonks and calmly, patiently tells stories of each Wizard and each Witch on the tapestry.
The girl listens, enchanted. She cannot believe that each person seen on the family tree has such an interesting, unique story, that she had been denied to learn. Denied by her own Parents.
She learns about her Grandparents, Cygnus and Durella, influential and famous amongst the Pure-Blooded society.
She learns about Orion and Walburga, her great-Uncle and great-Aunt. People admired by many and hated by many, due to their extreme dedication to the idea of Blood Purity.
She learns about her two cousins, Sirius and Regulus. Two interesting individuals with equally interesting backstories. Two brothers with only one year age gap, but at the same time two polar opposites. Sirius is a rebel, who has stood up to his Parents and has been disowned just like Andromeda. There is a burned hole in the tapestry in the spot where Sirius' face had once been.
Regulus was different. A prodigy and a perfect son, who has made his Parents extremely proud. A Death Eater, marked at sixteen years of age. Unfortunately, Regulus had died prematurely in unclear circumstances.
The last story Narcissa tells, is a story of her older sister and Tonks' Aunt, Bellatrix.
This story is the most interesting, most touching and saddest of them all.
Bellatrix is an extreme kind of person, even by the Black family standards.
She is a Death Eater, but not an ordinary one. She is called the Most Loyal, and Most Faithful. She is fanatically dedicated.
She is also imprisoned in Azkaban. She has spent there already ten years.
Tonks flinches. She knows about Azkaban from Moody's graphic and detailed descriptions, and she cannot imagine spending there a day, yet alone ten years.
Narcissa's voice shakes, when she speaks about Bellatrix' trial in front of Wizengamot after the First Wizarding War.
She says that Bellatrix sat on the chained chair like on a throne. Bellatrix looked the judges straight in their eyes without fear. Bellatrix yelled "THE DARK LORD WILL RISE AGAIN!" on the top of her lungs, making the entire court room go silent.
Bellatrix had won the trial, even though she was sentenced to a lifetime in Azkaban.
Tonks feels uneasy.
Not only haven't she ever heard any of those stories. She had no idea that such people existed, yet alone were members of her family.
She also thinks about her own career path. What would Moody say, if he learned the details of Tonks' ancestry? How would he react, knowing that she had reached out to her Aunt and Uncle herself? What would he think, having found out that she asked Narcissa to tell her family stories of the House of Black?
Moody is a Dark Wizards hunter.
His job and passion is to search high and low for former allies of the Dark Lord, and have them stand the trial in front of Wizengamot.
The majority of Moody's victims are sentenced to Azkaban or to a straight-out Kiss.
Narcissa is an empathetic person. She notices Tonks' tension and anxiety.
'Everything alright, sweetheart?' she asks.
Tonks looks her in the light-blue eyes.
'N-not quite, Auntie.' she admits. 'This all is so new, so... foreign to me. I have never heard of any of those people. All of them have so inspiring, interesting backstories, and yet my Mother had never mentioned anything to me. Just like... all of you just had stopped existing for her.'
Narcissa looks at the girl with compassion.
'Nymphie, I wouldn't have expected anything more from Andromeda. We have lost touch just after she had been disowned.' the woman indicates a burned spot above Andromda's name on the tapestry. 'You know, it's quite sad, but up until yesterday morning I had no idea about your existence, either.'
Tonks feels an ice-cold cramp in her stomach. How her Mother could, throughout seventeen years of her life, deny her any kind of contact, or even any information, about her own family? It feels just so... wrong.
'Auntie Narcissa... I was also thinking about... my mentor, and my Auror training' Tonks says with an effort and hesitation. 'Mad-Eye Moody is a person, who... Who...'
'...who hates people of our kind, and who would have tossed me and Lucius, and the entire House of Black alike, into Azkaban without a second thought, if he had only managed to set us on the hook.' Narcissa finishes quietly.
Tonks' voice breaks. She can only nod silently.
'Nymphie, it is not your fault.' Narcissa says firmly. 'You may have a mentor-protégé bond with him, but his thoughts and opinions are not your own. I have spent only one day in your company, but I can already tell that you are a clever girl. You will have time and opportunity to make your own decision and find your own path.'
Tonks nods again, looking at her Aunt with gratitude.
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Lucius is a busy person, involved in a lot of important activities. He is a Ministry employee and a member of the Board of Governors.
He manages to find a few hours to spend with his niece, though. Tonks is really grateful.
Lucius and Tonks sit at the table in the Dining Hall.
Lucius holds a lecture for the girl.
He speaks passionately, with genuine emotions on his usually blank and straight face. He speak about things dearest to his heart.
Tonks listens, soaking his words like a sponge.
She may have spent seven years at school and additional few months on the Auror training, she may have attended countless classes and lectures, but Lucius' lesson is special. Her Uncle talks about stuff Tonks has always considered a taboo, something inappropriate to even mention.
Lucius talks about the Sacred Twenty Eight, that Goblins had mentioned to her.
He talks about Blood Purity.
He talks about the oldest Wizarding family lines.
He talks about the history of mating between Wizards and Muggles, and the origins of the movement that tries to prevent it.
All the authority figures Tonks has ever been subjected to - her Parents, her Hogwarts teachers, her older colleagues and finally Moody- have always been trying to install in her mind a hostility towards the blood supremacists. She was basically taught, that the idea of Blood Purity is not only an incorrect way of thinking, but also a dangerous idea that had given birth to countless evil Wizards.
That was all she was ever told by anyone in that matter. She has never even dared to bring this topic up during her conversations with Mother or Father.
Uncle Lucius, however...
Lucius speaks about those ideas so passionately. The way he describes them, make Tonks seriously question everything she has been taught so far.
For example, nobody ever explained to her the science behind the idea of Blood Purity. She simply considered it an incorrect idea of a mistaken bunch of old Wizarding Families. She has never learned about such down-to-earth stuff, as genetics.
She simply didn't know that Magic is passed on throughout generation by genes. According to Lucius, Magic is the same kind of trait as eye color or the tongue rolling ability. Muggles are born with different set of allele than Wizards or Squibs. Wizards' level of magical abilities are also determined by their genetics. Mixing Muggle and Wizarding blood waters down the magical genes pool.
It turns out that if mating between Wizards and Muggles continues, the magical genes pool is eventually going to leach away.
It will take generations, but Magic is on its way to go extinct. It's exclusively because of the recklessness and lack of consideration of Wizards and Witches who deliberately pair themselves up with Muggles.
It is as simple as Lucius puts it. How came Tonks never even heard of it?
Lucius pulls out a piece of parchment. He sketches example genetic test crosses, to illustrate the issue for Tonks, to let her understand better. He explains comprehensively the crosses, getting more and more passionate while talking. Tonks notices small drops of sweat on his forehead.
Lucius must be in his element. He must have been raised surrounded by people of the same beliefs. Those ideas must be really valuable to him, as he feels visibly eager and glad to pass them on to his niece.
He makes a break and lifts his eyes on the girl.
'Nymphie, do you follow me? Those ideas are all new to you, so I can slow down, if you want.'
'No, Uncle, please go on. I have comprehended everything up to this point. I just... feel a little bit overwhelmed by all of this. It is just so different than everything I have grown up around. I feel a great deal of dissapoitment towards my Parents, that they have never made me familiar with the science behind inheriting magical skills. Yet alone with the idea of Blood Purity. Now, listening to you, I feel like a fool who doesn't know about the most basic stuff.'
Lucius looks at her.
'I would never have expected your Parents to educate you in this field.' he says, putting it in almost the same words as his wife before. 'Look, Nymphie, I have an idea. How about you keep coming to our Manor once in a while, every time you receive a furlough leave? I see your eagerness and determination to learn. Me and Narcissa are willing to help you, but two days we have been given are definitely not enough to fix this ridiculous loophole in your education.'
Tonks beams.
'Uncle, that would be amazing. I don't want to take too much of your time though. I know you are both busy people...'
'We will be more than happy to arrange some time to help you. As I have already said, it is a blessing that you had approached us. It's not so common for a young person your age to question their authorities and everything they were told. That indicates high intelligence and wisdom beyond your years.'
The girl smiles timidly.
'Thank you, Uncle. I will appreciate if you let me visit you once in a while. I was actually also thinking if I am even supposed to go back to Aurors School anyways.'
Lucius' eyes widen in surprise.
'You were considering dropping out of school? Why?' he asks.
Tonks flushes.
'I had applied for this school not knowing any of those things I have learned now. My parents are a kind of people who hate the Dark Magic, and who support hunting down former followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I wanted to become an Auror, to fulfill their ambitions concerning me. I wanted to make them proud. Now however...' Tonks hesitates for a while. 'I have found out that I had been lied to about so many things.. . I am not sure anymore if I want to be an Auror. I only know that I do not want to act according to my Parents' wishes.'
Lucius eyes the girl cautiously.
'Nymphie.' he starts. 'Your Parents have harmed you, concealing so much facts from you. I'm not surprised that they have lost their credibility in your eyes. That you don't want to obey them anymore. However, I strongly recommend you to continue your Auror apprenticeship. Not for them. For yourself.'
'Unce Lucius.' Tonks says reluctantly. 'Aurors are people, who...'
Her voice breaks slightly.
Who hunt down people like yourself, Uncle, and toss them into Azkaban. she finishes in her mind. She doesn't have a heart to say this loudly to Lucius.
Lucius looks her in the eyes. He knows. He understands.
'Nymphie, remember, that this apprenticeship provides you a comprehensive education and magical training. This apprenticeship is a tool, that you can use later for whatever you want . It provides you with a better start for the future, but doesn't seal your fate. Undergoing this training doesn't at all mean, that you are going to become a Dark Wizard hunter just like your mentor. You will make your own decisions when the time comes.'
Nymphie looks at her Uncle.
'I've... never thought about it this way, Uncle Lucius.'
Lucius nods.
'You don't have much support from your parents, but me and Narcissa are people you can trust. Finish your education. You will be a most welcome guest in the Manor as often as you wish to visit us. When the time comes, me and Narcissa will be happy to help you make a decision.'
Tonks isn't sure, what Lucius actually means by his repetitive saying "when the time comes". However, she thinks it would be impolite to inquire further. She nods curtly.
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Tonks' furlough leave is about to come to the end. She thanks Lucius and Narcissa a thousandth time for their hospitality and helpfulness. They ask her to send them an owl with the time of her next visit.
She is about to depart, when Draco sticks his fair head out of his room.
'Nymphie? Are you heading back already?' he asks.
Tonks smiles to the boy.
'I have to, Draco. But I promise I'll come back.'
Draco's smile vanishes from his face.
'I'll be probably already off to Hogwarts when you come again. We won't be seeing each other anytime soon. I was actually going to ask you for a help.'
Tonks beams.
'So, you are starting Hogwarts this year, aren't you?'
'Yes. That's why I wanted to ask you...'
The boy invites her with a gesture to his room, and Tonks steps in. Draco's room is a small paradise of any adolescent boy: there is a Quidditch gear exposed on a closet, countless Quidditch action figures and posters, as well as a collection of book on the topic. Draco also has a large clothes wardrobe ad several chest of drawers. His school trunk lies in the middle of the room, half-packed.
'I know that you have just graduated from Hogwarts several months ago.' Draco says, indicating his trunk. 'As you can see, I'm busy packing. If you still have some time left, I was just thinking that maybe you can help me. You know, advise me what I should take apart from the stuff from my list of school supplies.'
Tonks beams. She is more than happy to help Draco.
They go through the wardrobe and closets together, picking things Draco may find useful at school. They hold a conversation while packing; the boy is surprisingly smart and well-spoken for an eleven-year-old.
Tonks feels again an onrush of irritation towards her Parents. She has a bright, friendly young cousin, whom she never had any opportunity to meet before.
Packing takes them another hour; now, Tonks has to hurry back to Moody. She hopes to avoid any uncomfortable question about her whereabouts.