Over the next couple of months, Tonks divides her time between ever not-so-exciting work at the Aurors Office under Moody's supervision, and spending time at Grimmauld Place, trying to obtain some useful information.
Spending a lot of time surrounded by Order's members at the Headquarters is mentally exhausting.
The only comfort she daily finds, is coming back to the Malfoy Manor each night. Drinking a glass of wine with Uncle and Auntie, and letting Narcissa infuse her drink with a few drops of Dreamless Sleep Potion to help her relax.
She is frustrated, because long hours spent at Grimmauld Place are not only draining, but also fruitless. The meetings are rare and no important issues are being discussed. Besides, the most important task Tonks is trusted with within the order is cleaning.
Sirius, Potter, Molly Weasley and her children spend each day on cleaning the place and each time Tonks is around, she is expected to be helping them.
Apart of getting rid of some nasty creatures such as boggarts and doxys, Molly and Sirius have apparently decided to get rid of all of the ancient magical artifacts, that had been within Black family throughout centuries. They intend to basically wipe all the rooms out, leaving only furniture and bare walls.
Kreacher, a Blacks' house elf, has been fighting an unequal battle with Sirius and Molly for weeks. He does his best to restore at least the most valuable objects. Sirius is Kreacher's current Master, but he treats the old elf - putting it mildly - impolitely. Kreacher receives nothing but kicks and slurs each time he tries to save the family heirloom.
One of those days, Tonks pretends to be occupied by extermination of doxys with a bottle of a detergent spray; in reality, she watches helplessly Sirius tossing a bunch of their family heirloom objects to a trash bag.
Suddenly, Tonks notices Kreacher sneaking into the room and, unseen by Sirius, pulling a golden ring with Black family crest out of the trash bag.
The girl gasps, as Sirius turns around and notices Kreacher. He grabs the house elf by the thin arm and wrestles the ring out of his squeezed fist.
The old elf bursts into tears. He storms out from the room, sobbing and calling Sirius names.
Tonks has enough. She jumps off the floor and grabs the trash bag.
'Let me take care of this trash, Sirius. I'll take it to the garbage disposal down the street.'
Sirius nods eagerly.
'Good idea. If we don't get rid of it now, this little retard will keep on stealing this crap and smuggling it to his room.'
Tonks lifts the quite heavy bag and heads to the door.
'Wait, Tonks. Take also this piece of junk.'
Sirius passes the ring with the Toujours Pur crest over to the girl.
Tons nods and walks away, closing the door behind.
She heads downstairs, to the entrance hall. Having reacted on an impulse, she doesn't have an actual idea where to hide all of those valuable objects from the bunch of brainless savages upstairs. She wants to approach Grandmother Walburga for advice in that matter.
On her way, she hears Kreacher crying in his den.
'Poor, old Kreacher, these Mudbloods and traitors and scum, they throw away the family heirloom, what Kreacher's Mistress will say, and now they took ring of the Lord of Black, they will now throw it out...'
'They won't throw it out, Kreacher.' Tonks whispers, sticking her head into the elf's lair. 'Here, have it.'
She hands the restored ring over to the very surprised elf.
'I have the rest of the stuff, too.' Tonks shows him the bag. 'Come with me, we'll take it to your Mistress.'
Walburga looks like she is about to burst in tears, when Tonks and Kreacher explain her simultaneously what Sirius was about to do with all the valuable objects.
The girl manages to calm her Grandmother down and convince her not to make any noise. She asks her about any good place to hide all of those items.
Much to Tonks' surprise, the huge portraits budges and moves aside, exposing a small storage space.
'Brilliant!' the girl exclaims, putting the bag of goods into the hole. 'Kreacher, have you managed to restore any more stuff? Bring it over here; everything, what you are hiding in your den. This place is much safer.'
Kreacher hesitates for a while, but finally nods and rushes to his lair. He brings an armful of other valuable objects, and puts them inside. Walburga's portrait moves back on place, covering the storage space.
'Mistress will now protect the heirloom, Kreacher managed to save it...' the elf mumbles.
'Yes, Kreacher, I will protect it. If you two manage to restore anything more from my foul disgrace of a son, you may bring it to me.' Walburga says passionately.
'Grandmother, the storage space behind your portrait isn't big.' Tonks notices.
'It is enchanted, dear. It will expand when it is full.'
'Brilliant.' Tonks repeats.
She walks with Kreacher up the stairs. Tonks is supposed to get back to cleaning.
She feels the elf's eyes on herself.
'Kreacher thought the Young Mistress is a daughter of a filthy Blood Traitor, yes, Kreacher thought she is the same as this scum, filth, traitors, vermin, who befoul my Mistress home..' he says, sounding confused.
'No, Kreacher.' Tonks answers firmly. 'I'm your Mistress' granddaughter.'
'That Kreacher knows, yes, but Kreacher thought that the Young Mistress hates her Grandmother, just like this scum of Kreacher's Master hates her, yes...'
'No, Kreacher... listen to me.' she says, when the elf doesn't stop muttering. 'Each time you will see one of those people,' she indicates the room upstairs 'attempting to throw away anything from the family heirloom, you will tell me. Each time you are mistreated by them, you will tell me. And...' she looks around, making sure that nobody is nearby '...If you overhear them talking about anything important, you will tell me. Do you understand?'
Kreacher's ugly face twists with a smile.
'Kreacher likes his Mistress' granddaughter, yes.'
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Having made this little alliance with Kreacher, Tonks manages to save a ton of stuff from Sirius' and Molly's hands throughout the great clean-up. She hides everything behind her Grandmother's portrait .
Unfortunately, restoring the heirloom seems to be the only useful thing Tonks manages to accomplish, spending time at Grimmauld Place. Well, apart maybe from making Kreacher's life around people hostile towards him more bearable.
Tonks attends Order's meetings, but still nothing interesting is being mentioned.
Tonks has an eidetic memory. She reports to Uncle Lucius everything she hears during the meetings. She lets him filter the information, not to be anxious about omitting anything valid.
Tonks does her daily duties to the best of her abilities, but helplessness is eating her alive. She wants to act. She wants to do something important, something that matters...
Finally, an opportunity for the girl to prove herself useful and worthy comes.
Comes unexpectedly, in the form of Uncle Lucius, who wakes her up in the middle of the night.
He stands upon her with his wand lit up.
'Wake up, Nymphie.' he says quietly. 'We are going to Azkaban.'
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Lucius and Tonks stand on a tiny island, under starry night, at the foot of a massive, triangular tower.
Lucius speaks with his voice raised, to get it through the noise of waves breaking on the shore.
'The Dark Lord himself have chosen the ones who will partake in the assingment to set the prisoners free. I have recommended you. I spoke with our Lord about you; about your Metamorphomagus abilities and your high Magical skills. He knows that you are spying for us on the Order and on the Auror Office.'
Tonks gasps. She is unsure how to respond. The Dark Lord himself is aware of her existence!
'Thank you, Uncle.' she says.
She is under a guise of a heavyset, middle-aged woman with dark hair. Lucius has told her, that she may choose whatever form she wants for this assignment, if only it doesn't resemble her usual appearance. She has chosen a guise which was basically a polar opposite of her everyday form.
Foamy waves break just upon Tonks' feet.
She watches the night wind rushing through Lucius' platinum blonde hair, making them wave like a banner. He observes the sky, clearly waiting for someone.
Finally, four soft "pops" of apparition can be heard and four hooded silhouettes in black cloaks and silver masks appear beside Lucius.
Tonks grins, recognizing one of the men.
'Wotcher, Walden!' she says to Macnair.
The Death Eater looks at her in surprise.
'Tonks?! What're you doing here?'
'She's participating in the Raid.' Lucius explains shortly. 'Nymphie, the others are Nott, Crabbe and Goyle. Gentlemen, this is my niece, Nymphadora Tonks. Not to waste anymore time; Macnair- you and Nymphie are the only ones who are able to conjure a Patronus.'
Tonks gasps. For a split second, she thinks that she has misheard her Uncle.
'E-excuse me?' she asks in confusion.
'I'll explain it to you on the way up, Nymphie.' Lucius answers. 'For now, you must know, that the two of you are going to shield the rest of us from Dementors. We split into two groups: Macnair, you are going with Crabbe and Nott. Nymphie, Goyle and me are going together. Everybody is supposed to stick to their group. Macnair, you are the leader of your formation; you know the internal structure of Azkaban, so you can easily lead the way.'
Macnair nods and heads towards the tower of the prison. Two other masked Death Eaters- Crabbe and Nott- step forward and join him.
'Nymphie, stay close to me.' Lucius says quietly and takes his niece by the hand, leading her towards the intimidating triangular tower.
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Running along dark, ascending corridors, Tonks breathes in and out freezing cold air.
Lucius is by her side. Goyle is a few feet behind, but within the protective presence of Tonks' Patronus.
The silvery jack rabbit floats just above the girl's shoulder, creating an invisible shield, making the three Raiders immune to overwhelming despair and coldness spread by Dementors.
'How is that possible...' Tonks starts, catching her breath mid-run 'that such a brilliant Wizard like yourself, Uncle, is unable to conjure a Patronus?'
Lucius, surprisingly, is fit enough not to be out of breath, sprinting through the ascending corridors. He efortlessly keeps pace with his niece (unlike the large and heavy Goyle).
'Patronus is a Light spell, on an extreme side of the Light spectrum.' he explains. 'It's extremely difficult for a Dark Wizard- no matter how skilled or powerful - to master this spell... until he masters it in his early youth, when his magical affinity is not yet developed. Just like you did.' he adds.
'Nymphie, when did you manage to master the Patronus charm? At Hogwarts?' he asks after a short break.
'No, not at Hogwarts.' Tonks explains. 'During the summer after my graduation. The Patronus was one of the required abilities on the Aurors' School entrance exams. I had no choice, but to master it over a short period of time.'
'And may I ask...' Lucius starts.
'...what sort of memories fuel my Patronus?' Tonks finishes. 'Well, back then, all those years ago, it was the memory of all those pranks I had been pulling at school. I used to think they were very funny, they made me liked and popular amongst other kids, and they were connected to strong feeling of happiness. Right now...' Tonks indicates the silvery rabbit above her shoulder '...this Patronus is fueled by my first memories from the Malfoy Manor. By the memory of helpfulness and hospitality I had experienced from you and Aunt Narcissa. And by the memories of our Dark Arts lessons. Those days when I have been discovering my own power, when I have been addicted.'
She closed her eyes and the small rabbit starts glowing in an intensive, silver light.
The Azkaban's gloomy corridor turns light and warm.
Lucius' eyes widen in amazement.
'And as you can see, Uncle, this Patronus is the most powerful one I could ever create.'
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'BOMBARDA MAXIMA!' Lucius and Goyle yell simultaneously, blasting apart an entire wall, causing a good part of the triangular tower to fall into debris.
Tonks is focused on two tasks at the same time. She must keep the Patronus strong to prevent the Dementors from approaching. She must also help Lucius to control a protective hemisphere, conjured to shield the prisoners from the impact of the explosion.
'Lift it, Nymphie.' she hears Uncle's voice and lets go of the shield.
For a while, she cannot see anything further than a yard away; the thick dust from the explosion covers everything.
It takes a couple of minutes for the cloud of dust to settle down.
It reveals a small group of prisoners in filthy striped rags, clung together, cowering against the only wall that still stands.
Tonks freezes, as she sees one person, looking familiar.
Painfully familiar.
A slightly older version of Andromeda, only with darker-shaded hair. Unhealthily skinny, malnourished, exhausted and dirty.
Tonks approaches the cowering woman timidly. With each step, the girl gradually sheds her disguise, coming back to her usual appearance of a slender, pink-haired young woman.
She slowly kneels in front of the skinny prisoner, looking her in the glittering dark eyes.
'Wotcher, Auntie Bellatrix.' she says quietly. 'I'm your niece, Nymphie.'
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Lucius, Narcissa and Tonks watch Bellatrix sleeping on the king-sized bed in a guest room of the Manor
She has fallen asleep after being washed, fed and clothed. It's been already over sixteen hours and Tonks is getting slightly concerned.
Narcissa calms her down. She explains, that it is a natural reaction of Bellatrix' exhausted body.
Besides, Rudolphus, Rabastan and Augustus - equally malnourished and equally tired -have been sleeping equally long, in the adjoining room.
Tonks feels pain inside each time she looks at her eldest Aunt's sunken, waxy face. It looks like a skull tightly clothed with paper-thin skin.
Lucius, standing upon his sister-in-law's bed, suddenly grabs his left forearm, hissing in pain.
He glances at Narcissa apologetically.
'Go.' Narcissa says soothingly, with understanding. 'Me and Nymphie are going to stay here with Bella.'
Lucius takes a few steps back an dissaparates with a soft pop.
Narcissa conjures an armchair and a blanket for her niece. She summons Dobby and orders him to bring some tea and refreshments.
Tonks sits in the soft armchair sipping her tea. She doesn't take her eyes off her poor Aunt, but she feels very tired.
Her vision gets progressively blurrier, as she feels the pleasant warmth of the fluffy blanket... Her heads falls down towards her shoulder...
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'Nymphie. Nymphie...'
Tonks opens her eyes. Uncle Lucius stands upon her, softly whispering her name.
'The Dark Lord is here.' Lucius whispers and Nymphie instantly jumps off her seat.
'He came to visit the released prisoners. He also wants to meet you.' Uncle explains in a hurry.
'Meet me? But...?'
Narcissa steps into the room.
'Nymphie? Good that you are awake...'
As soon as she utters those words, a tall, intimidating individual in a black cloak steps into the room.
Tonks watches Narcissa falling on her knees. Lucius does the same, and he drags his niece down along.
The girl kneels down and intends to look up at the cloaked man, but Lucius grabs her head and gently pulls it down.
'Rise, all three of you.' Lord Voldemort speaks.
Tonks notices with a surprise, that his voice is surprisingly soft and warm.
Lucius and Narcissa stand up. The girl follows in their footsteps.
'Is that her, Lucius?' The Dark Lord asks gently, indicating Tonks. She feels an ice-cold cramp in her stomach.
'Yes, my Lord.' Uncle answers. 'My niece, Nymphadora Tonks.'
Tonks timidly lifts her eyes at Voldemort.
His eyes are amazingly red. They glitter with hundreds of shades, from light red reminding of fresh arterial blood, to deep dark crimson, like venous blood.
'I have heard you had taken part in the Raid on Azkaban, Nymphadora.' Voldemort speaks directly to Tonks. She feels her palms sweating.
'Yes, my Lord.' the girl answers quietly, but without stuttering.
'I have also heard, that you had rejected your traitorous Mother, and started working for our side, spying on the Order of the Phoenix and the Aurors Office.'
'Yes, my Lord.'
'Lucius told me everything you had managed to accomplish as a spy. Were you not the one to obtain the address of the current Order's Headquarters, handwritten by their Secret Keeper, Albus Dumbledore?'
'I did it, my Lord.'
Voldemort hums in acknowledgement.
'Excellent. I have only one more question. Do you wish to sacrifice the rest of your life to my service, fighting by my side for the better future of the Wizarding World, against Muggles, Mudbloods and Blood Traitors?'
Tonks doesn't hesitate.
'Yes, my Lord.'
Voldemort nods. His thin lips twist in a smile.
'The traditional approach would be, to have your Aunt Bellatrix be your witness during the Marking Ceremony.' he says.
Lucius puts his hand on Tonks' shoulder.
'I can be her witness, my Lord.'
'I know that, Lucius. However, Nymphadora is Bella's flesh and blood, additionally, Nymphadora was the one to carry Bellatrix out of Azkaban. Is that correct?'
Lucius nods.
'Yes, my Lord. Perhaps... she really would appreciate being her niece's witness.'
'I am positive that will make Bellatrix happy. Now, I am willing to do anything to make her happy.'
He slowly approaches Bella's bed. Lucius and Narcissa step aside, making a place for him, as he slightly leans forward to the sleeping woman.
He extends his hand and touches Bella's forehead with his long, thin fingers.
Tonks gasps in shock, seeing that her sleeping Aunt instantly relaxes under Voldemort's gentle touch. It seems that she recognizes her Lord's presence, even in a deep sleep. Her facial expression turns calm and peaceful.
'My most loyal, my most faithful.' he whispers quietly. 'Fourteen years. Chose to spend fourteen years in Azkaban, rather than renounce me. My Shining Star, my Constellation, I swear that when we take over Hogwarts, your story is going to be taught to children as an example of amazing devotion and bravery.'
Tonks watches the scene, utterly stunned. She had never thought, that Lord Voldemort could speak so softly, to show such an affection towards anyone.
She catches herself again on being a victim of indoctrination and manipulations of her Parents and other childhood authority figures, such as Dumbledore. She has to finally overcome the effects of her unfortunate growing-up circumstances.
The Dark Lord pulls his hand away from Bellatrix. The sleeping woman frowns and wriggles anxiously.
'My Lord, she...' Tonks whispers.
'She will be alright. She is the strongest person I have ever known.'