Days are starting to blur together.
Tonks begins to lead something very close to a double-life.
Every day, along with other Auror trainees, she restlessly learns spells used to detect, hunt down and fight Dark Wizards.
Yet during her days off, at the Malfoy Manor, she learns completely different branches of magic under Lucius' careful tutelage.
Receiving lectures and instructions from Moody, she is extremely cautious not to cause any suspicions. She makes an appearance to agree with Moody in every single issue. She pretends to be a perfect Auror apprentice. During their occasional conversations, she tells the paranoid man everything, that he most likely wants to hear.
At the same time, all she thinks about are the lectures at the Malfoy Manor, held for her by Aunt Narcissa. All the fascinating stories she tells. For those stories alone, Moody might have put Narcissa in front of Wizengamot.
Tonks wears daily a standard Auror trainee uniform, a black shirt, leather robes and fingerless gloves.
Nobody knows however, that underneath her clothes, pinned to her undershirt, she has a sew-on badge representing a Black family crest. The emblem portrays an armored hand holding a wand and three black ravens underneath, along with the motto - Tojours Pur. The badge is a gift from Narcissa. Tonks cherishes it like a treasure, wearing it every day on her chest just beneath her heart.
She doesn't feel intimidated by Moody's intrusive presence anymore. Her effort during her Occlumency lessons with Lucius has paid off. Tonks is now able to shield her mind and cover her thoughts as easily as change her physical appearance.
Assault courses, classes with Moody and daily chores are interspersed with an anxious anticipation for the next visit in the Manor.
The Malfoys are now her family, not "in the name only". They seen to be the only people who genuinely care for the girl. Each time she is touched and honored by their hospitality and their willingness to sacrifice their precious time for her education.
Soon, she finds a way to sneak out from her garrisoned school, unseen by anyone.
She starts to use appearance of an elderly janitor to move freely around the school grounds after the curfew. She makes a bold tryout, attempting to leave the estate in that form. Nobody seems to suspect her. Nobody pays attention to the old janitor stepping out through the huge iron school gate.
Having made this simple discovery, she doesn't have to wait for a furlough leave anymore to spend some time with the Malfoys. Lucius and Narcissa are more than happy, having more frequent opportunities to see their niece.
Limited time is no longer an issue.
Lucius starts to train Tonks in Dark Arts.
Tonks used to think, that all she had learned so far at the Malfoy Manor, including Occlumency and Blood Purity Science, had been the most groundbreaking pieces of knowledge she could think of.
After starting Dark Arts classes, she realizes how mistaken she had been.
What Lucius teaches her is an addictive drug. Which every single new Dark spell, she finds herself more and more consumed by the hunger for more.
Wielding such power feels incredible.
Lucius says, that most of the new Dark Magic adepts were clumsy. Tonks had always been clumsy, throughout her entire life.
Not now, though. Not anymore.
The Dark Arts just feel right, feel natural. For the first time in her life, she performs spells efortlessly and gracefully. Without any sign of her former clumsiness.
For the first time, Tonks feels in control. Powerful. Invincible.
And addicted.
According to Lucius, most Dark Wizards need months, if not years, to master all of the useful curses.
Tonks is different.
The blood of Black Family is boiling in her veins.
Reducto. Confringo. Sectarius. Locomotor Mortis. Expulso.
Fiendfyre.
The colorful flashing lights reflect in Lucius' wide open eyes, when the unending series of the girl's dark spells wash over his strong shield.
The impact of her curses causes him to slowly step back, even despite having an outstretched protective hemisphere around him.
You're unbelievable.
That words from her Uncle's mouth mean more to her, than an entire laundry list of fake, insincere praises she had ever heard from Ted and Andromeda.
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Lucius teaches Tonks how to use her Mind Magic abilities to successfully conceal her fresh magical affinity from her paranoid mentor.
As ridiculous as it sounds, Dark Magic can be detected. Dark Wizards and Witches, Dark creatures such as Werewolves, and ever Dark magical objects are known to radiate a specific aura, more or less intensively.
Not many are able to sense it. However, if anyone is able to, Mad-Eye Moody is bound to be one of them.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It's the last day of the term at Auror School. The day of final exams for all of the trainees.
Everybody is gathered outside, at the training field. The clearing usually covered with the obstacles of the various assault courses, is now rearranged to serve as a dueling pitch.
For obvious reasons, no mentor is allowed to duel with their own protégé. Moody stands with his arms crossed, and watches, as Tonks stands in front of another middle-aged Auror- black-skinned Kingsley Shacklebolt.
The mocking duel begins and Tonks starts sweating. Her addicted mind screams at her to use Dark Arts. She takes a deep breath to calm herself down. She knows what using Dark Magic during the exam would mean for her - an expulsion from school, or, knowing Moody- even an interrogation in front of Wizengamot.
Obviously, resorting to her new beloved branch of Magic is out of the question.
Kingsley makes the first move and they start to fight. Tonks dodges Shacklebolt's hexes effortlessly and gracefully for the first couple of minutes, then uses a well-aimed Bombarda to shatter the ground upon his feet.
The dark-skinned Auror trips back and collapses. The girl disarms him and catches his wand mid-air.
The crowd of students and teachers claps and cheers, but she pays no attention to it. She tosses Kingsley's wand on the ground and walks away.
After all the fierce, blood-boiling mocking duels with Lucius, this fight has left her... insatiate.
Her addiction has not been fed, and it unnerves her.
She wants to make a use of the commotion of the exams, and secretly sneak out of the school grounds. She wants to be at the Manor again. Lucius may be at the Ministry at this time of the day, but Narcissa is definitely home...
All of a sudden, Moody appears out of nowhere right in front of Tonks.
Tonks feels an ice-cold cramp in her stomach, when her mentor approaches her with an unfriendly frown on his forehead.
'Sir, what are you doing?' she asks, when Moody gets uncomfortably close and sniffs her like a dog.
Moody bents and lowers his face to her eyes' level.
'I had some suspicions earlier, but what I have just seen now confirms everything...' he whispers in a creepy voice. 'Tonks, care to explain what have you done? You reek of Dark Magic!'
The girl feels her blood running cold. She puts up strongest Occlumency shields around her mind.
How is that even possible? How could Moody have sensed anything, when she had not used any Dark Magic during the exam?
'I have used only the explosion spell and a mild shield during the fight with Shacklebolt, sir.' she says, struggling to keep a calm voice. 'You have seen my duel yourself. You, sir, of all people, cannot complain about a bad eyesight.'
'You haven't used any Dark Magic during your exam and I have never indicated that. But judging by the radiation, you must have had used it before. Besides... Did you think that I wouldn't notice your suddenly altered dueling style? How is it possible, that your moves and dodges became graceful and precise from one day to the other? This is not a common thing for a person who used to trip over their own feet during any mocking duel before.'
Tonks flinches. She had forgotten to fake her infamous clumsiness during the duel.
During her Dark Arts sessions with Lucius, her body has just naturally became more coordinated, her moves and gestures got swift and graceful. Tripping over everything on her way stopped being an issue.
Of course, only somebody as paranoid as Moody could take her coordination improvement as something suspicious.
'I used to be a clumsy kid, sir.' she says coldly. 'Now, I became a more graceful and coordinated woman. It is a part of a process known as growing up. I'm sure most of the girls go through the same phases.'
Moody raises his eyebrows.
Tonks smiles internally with satisfaction. She is positive that Moody knows absolutely nothing about growing up of a teenage girl.
'How will you explain reeking of Dark Magic, then?' he snarls, disconcerned.
'If I had a guess, sir,' she says calmly 'I would say that it's my blood that reeks. Whether I like it or not, I descend from a darkest Wizarding family in this country, the House of Black. How long has it been since you started to sense the Dark Magic from me?'
Moody hesitated.
'It's been not so long since I have starts paying more attention to it. But I guess you can be right, there are known cases of children with a dark ancestry to radiate Dark Magic even not being Dark Wizards themselves.'
Tonks internally sighs with a relief.
'Sir, everybody respect you for being a prominent and effective Auror.' she says. 'However, please refrain from something as ridiculous as suspecting me -your own apprentice- of being a Dark Wizard. This is a little bit of an overreaction, even by your standards.'
Alastor shrugs his shoulders awkwardly.
'I guess you've got the point. No offence, girl.'
'No offence taken, sir.' she answers blankly and proceeds to walk away.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'You're addicted. Everybody goes through this phase.'
Lucius speaks calmly and softly, as always. His voice is ever so different than the harsh voice of Moody and unaffectionate voice of Tonks' Father.
'That is why he could sense it, even though I haven't used any Dark Magic during the duel, Uncle?' the girl asks.
'Yes. Your Magic is boiling within you. Your body constantly craves for the rash caused by using the Dark Magic. Your strong emotions after the duel have additionally stimulated it. Moody is no amateur, so I'm not actually surprised that he has managed to sense it. Sometimes, even the strongest mind shields and self-discipline cannot prevent it. Nevertheless, you've came up with a smart and credible excuse. That was clever and cunning, very... Slytherin, of you.' Lucius smiles, apparently proud of his niece.
Tonks blushes.
'Pity I haven't been sorted into Slytherin.' she mutters.
Lucius looks at her questioningly.
'Which House have you been in, Nymphie?'
The girl blushes even more. She turns crimson.
'Hufflepuff.' she answers timidly.
Lucius looks surprised at first, but then he pats her on the shoulder, smiling.
'You know, Nymphie, sorting at Hogwarts is something that everybody... hmm, let's say colloquially, fusses about. However, I personally do not think that the sorting should have so much impact on one's life. After all, Wizards and Witches subjected to sorting are only eleven years old. How personality traits of an eleven-years-old child can predestine about their future? Granted, Slytherin is a noble house, a Mother of many great Dark Wizards and Dark Witches. The majority of Pure-Blooded families want their children to be accepted into Slytherin, be surrounded by like-minded people and have an easier start. However, if a young person has determination and strong will, they can achieve greatness even without being a Slytherin. You are a prime example.'
Tonks beams.
'Thank you, Uncle. I also genuinely consider the current sorting system as archaic at best and ridiculous at worst. Now, after almost eight years from my sorting, if I was to be sorted again, I'm positive I would become a Slytherin. The trait decisive in my sorting in the past was my unbelievable clumsiness. Now, when I have lost my trademark trait, the Sorting Hat would have no reason to place me in Hufflepuff.'
Lucius nods.
'Uncle. Can we go on with the Unforgivables?' Tonks asks, feeling the familiar flow of blood in her head and tingling all over her body. 'I need to satisfy my addiction.'
Uncle gives her a smile.
'Certainly.'
He summons Dobby.
Tonks had already mastered the Imperius Curse, practicing on several small animals. Lucius wants her now to try it on a more complex creature- a house elf.
She pulls her wand out and points it towards the small creature.
'Imperio.' she whispers.
House elves are creatures evolved in the purpose to serve superior beings, and that is a major part of their nature. Their minds are usually pure, simple and one-tracked.
Dobby's mind is similar, although there is one small thing off about him - a tiny piece of his mind, that causes him to be less obedient and more rebellious than other elves. Perhaps he is an exception within his species.
Nevertheless, the small elf easily bends to Tonks' will under her powerful curse.
Dobby, do a somersault.
The girl watches the elf jumping and doing multiple backflips in the air.
Dobby, meow like a cat.
Dobby obeys, giving out screechy sounds, that may resemble cat's meowing.
Dobby, do fifty push-ups.
This is the task Dobby would be definitely unable to do without being under Imperius. His stick-thin arms can barely hold his body weight, when he does the exercise. However, the curse lets him complete fifty push-ups efortlessly.
The feeling of being in control. The indescribable sensation of having an absolute power over another being's mind, even though said being is weak and susceptible.
After Dobby is done exercising, Tonks lifts the curse. The house elf is very surprised about his arms muscles' soreness; he doesn't even recall doing the push-ups.
'Dobby, you are dismissed.' Lucius says and the elf disapparates.
'Most impressive.' Uncle says to Tonks. 'Up to this point, you have been practicing only on owls, peacocks, hares and other small animals. If you are able to control a house elf's mind, you have mastered Imperius on a satisfying level. You are also able to resist the curse yourself, using your well-developed Mind Magic. If you wish... we can move on to other Unforgivables.'
The girl's eyes lit up. Her blood starts circulating faster. The familiar heat spreads out all over her body and first sweats appear.
Tonks is aware, that the other two Unforgivable Curses are no child's play. They are seriously terrifying.
And incredible.
Lucius notices the girl's reaction and smiles.
'You would like to master the Cruciatus Curse, wouldn't you?' he asks softly.
Tonks nods.
'I will teach you.' he says softly. 'With your extraordinary talent, you should master it effortlessly.'
Tonks blushes in excitement and anticipation.
Lucius draws his wand with a silver, snake-shaped handle from his cane-hostler. He summons a pigeon and places the bird on a chair.
'You have the first try.' he says calmly.
Tonks pulls her wand out.
'The incantation is Crucio.' Lucius says. 'Remember, that this curse is fueled by strong emotions, such as rage. Unlike Imperius, you do not have be extraordinarily focused on your magical flow. However, your feelings must be powerful enough to make the curse work. You have to truly want to cause the pain. The best way is to focus on a painful or enraging memory, that will help you to fuel your emotions. '
Tonks nods.
She thinks about her unpleasant encounter with Moody earlier that day, and she feels anger arousing inside her.
'Crucio!' she yells, a red stream of light shots out of her wand and hits the pigeon.
The bird budges, screeches and flies away.
'Accio!' Lucius says, summoning the bird back to his open hand. 'Not bad for the first time, Nymphie, but I think the memory you have used is too weak. You should try out another one; one that will arouse a genuine fury inside you.'
Uncle places the pigeon back on the chair.
Tonks sets her wand ready.
She thinks about Andromeda. About everything she had done. About all the times she had lied to her daughter. About all the time she had manipulated the girl, bending her to her will.
About the priceless tree branch, that Mother had spoiled with her own stupidity.
'CRUCIO!' Tonks yells on the top of her lungs.
This time, the pigeon doesn't fly away. It's unable to.
It writhes and squeaks on the chair. It is in agony.
Tonks looks at the effect of her curse in fascination.
She has no reason to cause pain to an innocent animal and she doesn't really want to. However, she finds it extremely hard, almost impossible, to lift the curse.
Cruciatus feeds her Dark Arts addiction better than any other spell. Better even than Imperius. The feeling of domination, of being control, of having power, is bewildering.
When the girl finally lifts the curse, she finds Lucius looking at her in admiration.
'Well, I must say, that I am honored to having such an extraordinary talent under my tutelage.' he says softly. 'It is extremely rare to perform this curse so excellent at the second attempt.'
Tonks realizes, that her back and forehead are drenched in sweat. She pulls out a handkerchief and wipes it.
'That was amazing. Incredible.' she whispers, pointing her wand towards the unconscious bird.
'Enervate.' she says, and the pigeon opens its eyes. Immedietly after waking up, it stands up and flies away through the open window.
'Uncle Lucius.' she says quietly towards the aristocrat, still being under a great impact of the power-rush. 'I want to be subjected to this curse, just like I had been subjected to Imperius while learning how to resist it. I want to experience Cruciatus on my own skin, and learn how to control myself throughout the process. If anyone ever decides to interrogate me this way... I want to be ready.'
Lucius' silver eyes widen in shock.
'Nymphie, are you absolutely sure...?' he asks.
'Yes, Uncle.' the girl says in a confident voice.
Lucius lifts his wand in his usual, graceful and soft movement. He points it towards the girl, not taking his eyes off her.
'Crucio.' he whispers.
As soon as he casts the curse, Tonks' vision becomes red.
The training hall in the Malfoy Manor, the furniture, paintings and silhouette of Uncle himself- all that she sees is intensively, bright red . Fused into unbearable pain, which takes over her eyesight.