WARNING: LANGUAGE

'Wakey, wakey, Nymphie! BOMBARDA!'

Tonks wakes up to a small, harmless explosion, and her lips instantly curl into a smile.

'Better than the one from yesterday!' her Aunt's voice is filled with almost child-like admiration. 'That means that I'm really recovering my strength.'

Tonks rolls around in her soft bed.

Aunt Bellatrix beams at her. It's been a couple of days since her release from Azkaban and she is still boney skinny, but doesn't look unhealthy anymore. Her dark, curly hair regained its shiny glow. Her skin is no more waxy or sunken.

'Get your pretty ass outta bed, Niece Dearest, and get ready for your Ceremony.' she says in an innocent voice.

Tonks cannot help but grin even wider.

She loves Auntie Bellatrix from their first hour spent together. She loves her passion, energy and bluntness. She admires her unbreakable spirit, which remained steadfast even during those fourteen years of imprisonment.

Aunt Narcissa is a warm, caring person; a perfect Motherly figure for Tonks.

Aunt Bella, on the other hand, is not at all a Motherly figure. She is more of a cool older sister.

'Auntie Bella, have I already told you, that I have no idea how you and my excuse for a Mother can be related?' Tonks mutters half-asleep.

'Like twenty times already.' Bella replies. 'Don't worry, I've been constantly asking your Grandmother Durella if Andromeda had not been accidentally switched after the childbirth. Unfortunately, her physical appearance indicates otherwise.'

'Her face looks much better as a burned hole on the tapestry, though.' Tonks notices and the two women burst into laughter.

'Right, Nymphie, but now, get up and get ready. Our Lord is waiting for us. Chop-chop.' Bella says finally and leaves the girl to wash up and get dressed.

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'Auntie Bella.' Tonks says quietly, as Bellatrix leads her along a dark corridor of the Riddle Manor. 'When you take it... does it hurt?'

'Yes, it does.'

Tonks looks at her Aunt; this time, Bella is serious.

Tonks swallows.

'I wouldn't even describe this feeling as an ordinary kind of pain.' Bella adds. 'This feeling is... different.'

Tonks feels progressively more anxious as they step into a large chamber. It's simply arranged; with a couple of leather armchairs and a fireplace.

Lucius and Narcissa are already here. They nod at Tonks and Bella as they enter the room.

The Dark Lord stands in a shady corner of the chamber; only his glittering crimson eyes can be seen.

Bella and Tonks instantly fall on their knees.

'Rise.' Voldemort says quietly, coming forward to them.

They pick themselves up from the floor as the Dark Lord stands upright in front of them.

'Bellatrix.' he says softly, putting his fingers on Bella's cheek. The woman nudges against his hand. 'I am so glad to see you in better health and shape.'

'Thank you, my Lord.' Bella whispers.

'Nymphadora.' he turns his head towards the girl. 'You have repeatedly proven yourself worthy of being accepted into our ranks. You have been for a long under tutelage of your Uncle Lucius, who confirms your value and trustworthiness.'

He glances at Lucius, who nods. 'Yes, my Lord.'

'Now, I have yet to ask you, Bellatrix. As Nymphadora's witness, do you agree with her being worthy of joining our ranks?'

'Yes, my Lord!' Bella confirms eagerly.

'Do you, Nymphadora Tonks, promise to obey me and your other supervisors during our quest to purify the Wizarding kind?'

'Yes, my Lord.' Tonks whispers.

'Do you promise to fight to the best of your abilities against Blood Traitors, Mudbloods and Muggles, who pose threat to the Wizarding kind?'

'Yes, my Lord.'

'Do you renounce your Mudblood Father and your Blood Traitor Mother?'

'Wholeheartedly, my Lord.'

'Extend your left arm.'

Tonks feels sweat running down her forehead, when she stretches her arm out.

She feels Bella's hand squeezing her shoulder, when Voldemort presses his wand against her inner forearm.

'Morsmordre.' he whispers softly.

As soon as he utters the incantation, the world around Tonks dissapears.

Only blinding, powerful light of Voldemort's magic exists. Only his magic and his deep crimson eyes.

And the insane, burning pain in her forearm.

Aunt Bella was right. This is a different kind of pain.

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Tonks usually tries to avoid spending time at Gimmauld Place, apart from the Order's meetings - which are the only opportunities for Tonks to find out something important.

Being around the Order's members is mentally draining. She doesn't want to expose herself to their presence more often than necessary.

That day however, she decides to stay a little bit longer after one of the dull meetings, and check on Kreature.

During their common quest to save the Black family's heirloom objects, she came to like the elderly house elf. She has been putting some effort to make sure, that he is not being mistreated ever since.

Now, much to her surprise, the house elf is nowhere to be found.

'Kreacher!' Tonks calls. 'Kreacheeeer!'

'Young Mistress, over here!'

Tonks frowns; Kreacher's voice is even more screechy than usual. The elf is clearly terrified.

She rushes upstairs, only to see furious Sirius, shooting series of hexes at Kreacher. The house elf desperately dodges the streams of colorful lights.

'Expelliarmus!' Tonks snaps, disarming her disgrace of a cousin.

Sirius turns his red, enraged face towards her.

'What the fuck are you doing?!' he snarls.

'No, what the fuck are YOU doing?!' Tonks replies, catching Sirius' wand mid-air.

'This disgusting piece of shit has just injured Buckbeak!' Sirius yells.

Tonks raises her eyebrows in surprise.

'Buckbeak?' she asks. 'Isn't that this ridiculously oversized familiar of yours?'

'HE INJURED HIM!' Sirius snaps.

Tonks rolls her eyes.

'Cousin dearest, how big is a hippogriff, and how big is a house elf? How badly Kreacher could have injured Buckbeak, I wonder?'

'He stabbed him in his leg with a fucking knife!'

'ACCIDENTALLY!' Tonks yells. 'Why would Kreacher want to do that on purpose?! And you?! Instead of going and healing your familiar's wound, you're acting very grown-up, trying to hex Kreacher!'

'Why the fuck are you always trying to protect him?' Sirius snarls.

'And why are you always acting like such a fucking douchebag?' Tonks replies. 'Only an utter and complete JERK uses his superiority over a house elf to constantly bully him! Come, Kreacher!' she adds, and tosses Sirius' wand back to him. 'In case you don't know, cousin dearest, the spell you will need is Episkey.'

'TONKS!'

Kingsley Shacklebolt stands in the staircase, looking daggers at the girl.

'If you have such a lot of free time to walk around and tear your throat, surely you have some time to help me with my work.'

Tonks rolls her eyes and follows the dark-skinned Auror.

'Young Mistress!'

Tonks turns back and looks at Kreacher. The elf looks like he is about to say something, but he hesitates, shooting worried glances at Sirius and Kingsley.

Tonks comprehends, that what he wants to tell her, cannot be heard by those two..

'KREACHER, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!' Sirius yells.

Kreacher cannot disobey a direct order from a Black heir. Against his will, he disapparates with a soft pop.

'Very mature.' Tonks snaps, looking daggers at her cousin.

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Fucking Shacklebolt sits Tonks down in the dining room and makes her fill up his overdue paperwork.

Tonks internally boils with anger, sitting upon a pile of documents. She would have a thousand time preferred, if Kingsley had sent her on a shift down to the Department of Mysteries instead.

Granted, wandering around the shelves filled with Prophecies isn't a thrilling task either. However, being on this post, Tonks could at least alert Uncle immedietly, in case if Potter kid caught the bait.

Personally, Tonks doesn't believe that Potter is going to catch their bait at all. The Prophecy's case is starting to take way too long, so she and Auntie Bella have already started thinking upon some other way to obtain the Prophecy for their Lord.

Tonks doesn't actually comprehend why restoring this Prophecy is so crucial. She only knows that the Dark Lord wants to have it, and that Uncle Lucius and Aunt Bella are doing everything in their power to grant his wish.

Yes, Tonks would be way more useful down there at the moment.

'Shecklebolt!' she snaps upon the pile of documents. 'Why don't you send me to the Department of Mysteries? You know that I suck at paperwork!'

Shacklebolt frowns.

'Don't think you will slack off down there tonight instead of helping me. Diggle has the shift and you know that.'

Oh, right. Damn Dedalus Diggle, who wouldn't even catch a fly.

Suddenly, commotion in the entrance hall indicates Moody's arrival.

He storms into the dining room. Anxiety is written all over his scarred face.

'Tonks, Shacklebolt!' he snarls. 'Get off your asses immedietly. Death Eaters are in the Department of Mysteries. Potter and a group of other students are fighting them down there.'

Tonks jumps off her seat so vigorously, that she knocks both her chair and the table down. Kingsley's rolls of parchment fall all over the floor.

That very moment, Lupin and Sirius storm in.

'What the fuck happened?' Sirius screams, in clear disbelief. 'Is my cub in danger?!'

'Black, you are staying here.' Moody says harshly.

'NO!' Sirius and Remus snarl at the same time.

'My pup is in danger and I'm going to help him!' Sirius adds, looking daggers at Moody.

'BLACK, YOU ARE OUTLAWED! YOU CANNOT WALK AROUND AS YOU PLEASE!'

'I DON'T GIVE A DAMN! YOU WON'T STOP ME, I'M GOING!'

Tonks get anxious. Those two waste time on a fight, when her Uncle, Aunt and other comrades are fighting and risking their lives.

'Mad-Eye, there's no time. Let that fucking idiot go with us.' the girl mutters.

Moody apparently gives up.

'Alright, Black, you may go...'

'I'm also going!' Lupin declares firmly.

'Whatever.' Moody snaps, rolling his healthy eye. 'But I won't babysit the bunch of you. Stick to the formation and no screwing around. Get going!'

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Tonks lets go of Moody's arm, a little bit dizzy after Side-Along Apparition.

The Death Chamber in the Department of Mysteries.

Potter, two of the Weasley kids and three other brats, clung to each other next to the stone arch on an elevation.

Uncle Lucius, Auntie Bella, Macnair, Dolohov and Rudophus, encircling them.

This is bad.

'STUPEFY!'

Moody, Lupin, Sirius and Kingsley cast stunning hexes simultaneously towards Bella, Rudolph and Dolohov.

Tonks finds herself standing close to Uncle Lucius, who apparently was just about to catch Potter before their arrival.

This is fucking bad.

The girl desperately finds Uncle's silver eyes, and moves her head slightly to the left, giving him a sign to move aside.

'STUPEFY!' she yells, pretending be aiming at Lucius, but in reality intending to hit Potter when her Uncle dodges to the left. Unfortunately, the stunner misses the boy by a few inches.

Tonks watches for a second Potter crawling like a warm towards a heavyset, dark-haired boy- one of his friends.

Macnair jumps forward to the boy and grabs him by the throat, suffocating him. Tonks smirks internally; it seems that she won't have to blow her cover up. She can trust MAcnair to restore the Prophecy from Potter.

She turns around, to the other part of the chamber, where Auntie Bella is fighting Sirius. Tonks rushes forward to aid her Aunt...

...however, suddenly, a bunch of things happen at the same time. The chubby, dark-haired friend of Potter shoots a successful stunner at Walden, who loses consciousness and lets go of the boy. Dolohov jumps forward to the two students, casts a Jelly-Legs Jinx on the plump boy and tries to summon the Prophecy, but...

...Sirius gets in his way. He starts a fierce duel with Dolohov, shielding "his pup" (what a disgusting, perverted nickname for a godson!). Tonks hears him giving Potter some ridiculous instructions (to grab the chubby boy and run with the Prophecy).

Tonks senses her opportunity to finally get hold of this fucking glass ball.

Potter tries to lift his friend, whose legs are still jinxed; Tonks runs towards the boys, but Uncle Lucius reaches them first.

He jumps forward to Potter and presses his wand against the boy's ribs.

'The prophecy, give me the prophecy, Potter!' he yells at the boy.

'No–get–off– me . . . Neville–catch it!'

He tosses the glass ball. The immobilized chubby boy leans forward to catch it, but Tonks is faster. She pounces on the ball like during a Muggle game of soccer.

As soon as she catches the warm surface of the Prophecy, she turns towards Potter and grins.

'I've got it, Harry!'

Potter smiles back.

'Brilliant, Tonks!'

Tonks' smile fades, as she watches Potter jabbing his wand over his shoulder, aiming at Uncle Lucius.

'IMPEDI...'

'EXPELIARMUS!' Tonks yells, disarming the boy.

Potter's eyes widen.

She makes an embarrassed, scared face.

'Oh, I'm so sorry, Harry! I was aiming at Malfoy!'

'Nevermind, Tonks!' Potter answers, struggling under Lucius embrace.

Tonks slides the Prophecy into her jacket's pocket...

...and freezes on the spot. She feels under her fingers a smooth surface of another glass ball. A ball from Draco's set of Gobestones!

Tonks regrets not having mastered wandless magic on a decent level. Engorgio, engorgio, engorgio, engorgio, she repeats in her mind, begging the Gobstones' ball to turn big enough to remind a ball of a Prophecy.

The girl has a lucky day. She feels the small ball growing bigger under her fingers and she pulls it out.

'Wait, Harry, I'll help you!' she says aloud. 'You, there, buddy, take care of the Prophecy!'

She tosses the enlarged Gobestones' ball at the chubby boy, purposely aiming it to land on his wriggling, jinxed legs.

Just as she wished, the ball bounces off the boy's floundering feet and smashes on the stone stairs.

The chubby boy is terrified, he starts muttering his apologies for destroying the "Prophecy", Potter mutters his "neverminds", and Tonks grabs Potter by shoulders and pulls him, pretending to be "helping" him getting off Lucius.

The girl briefly catches her Uncle's eyes, and freezes.

Their silver depth expresses unbelievable suffering.

Lucius is appalled and shattered. He lets go of Potter, staring at the place where the "Prophecy" had broken, in pain and disbelief.

Why, for the fuck's sake, haven't I ever mastered Legilimency on a decent level?

Tonks is furious with herself; she had no idea how to pass on to her Uncle that the shattered Prophecy was fake, and that everything is alright.

'DUMLEDORE!' the chubby boy yells. Tonks turns around, just to see the said old coot ascending next to the stone arch.

'We're saved!' Potter yells.

We're fucked, Tonks thinks.

Macnair stumbles forward, drawing Dumbledore's attention to himself, and starts running away.

Tonks comprehends; he has just made a living bait of himself.

As Dumbledore is busy chasing Macnair, Tonks takes a look at the chamber; only one pair is still battling. Aunt Bella and cousin Sirius.

Tonks is sure about Auntie's forthcoming victory over the pathetic excuse for a cousin. She is aware of Bella's extraordinary talent.

The only way she can help Auntie, is to keep Potter and the other boy away from her duel.

Potter has already noticed his beloved Godfather struggling and stepping back under Bella's powerful cannonade.

'My wand.' he mutters towards Tonks. 'Tonks, my wand! I have to help him!'

'What? Oh, yes, Harry! Forgive me, I forgot I have it!'

She reaches to her pocket and pretends to be searching for Potter's wand, which she has taken after ''accidentally" disarming him.

In reality, she buys some time for her Aunt to take Sirius down.

She watches Sirius ducking one of Bella's curses. The next one hits him straight in the chest.

He falls backwards, disappearing the ragged veil on the stone arch.

Only then Tonks "finds" Potters wand. She hands it over to the boy.

'Your wand, Harry.'

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Potter chases Aunt Bellatrix.

Tonks runs after him.

This day is fucking annoying.

Potter uses the elevator to get to the Atrium. Tonks is forced to climb the stairs, but nevertheless, keeps pace with him.

'Come out, come out, little Harry!' she hears Auntie's voice. 'What did you come after me for, then? I thought you were here to avenge my dear cousin!'

'I am!'

'Aaaaaah . . . did you love him, little baby Potter?' Bella mocks.

Tonks cannot help but chuckle; she loves her Aunt to death.

She jumps from the staircase just in time to see Potter aiming his wand towards Bella.

'CRU...'

'DEPULSO!' Tonks yells. Her spell throws Potter against the wall like a ragdoll.

Bella glances at her niece, amused.

'Tonks! What the fuck are you doing!?' Potter screams.

'I'm saving your fucking ass!' the girl snarls. 'Don't you know that you may be in serious trouble for using an Unforgivable Curse?!'

'I DON'T FUCKING CARE! SHE KILLED SIRIUS!'

Tonks opens her mouth to reply, but suddenly a commotion starts in a conjoining room, probably the entrance hall. All three of them turn their heads towards the door.

Whooshes of flying spells and cracks of smashing glass...

'MASTER!' Bella yells.

Tonks finds her Aunt's eyes. She looks at her with a silent question.

Bellatrix almost imperceptibly nods her head.

Tonks understands: the Dark Lord is battling Dumbledore.

'Get out of here, Harry!' Tonks yells. 'It's not safe here; the walls may blast apart!'

The noises are getting progressively louder. Potter picks himself up from the floor and runs back to his friends. Tonks and Bella follow him.

'Use floo.' Tonks mutters to Aunt, trying not to move her lips too much. She pushes Bella gently to one of the fireplaces in the Atrium. 'I'm gonna check on Uncle and the others.' Tonks whisper is silent like wind rustle. 'We all must get the fuck outta this place.'

'The Prophecy?' Bella asks equally quietly.

'I have it.'

Bella smiles and nods.

'Malfoy Manor!' she utters loudly and disappears in green flames.

Tonks returns downstairs, where an unpleasant surprise awaits her.

Dumbledore, along with Moody, Lupin and Kinsley have apparently managed to catch and disarm all of Tonks' comrades.

Lucius, Rudolphus, Rabastan, Rokwood, Macnair and a couple of others stand in the middle of the chamber, on an elevation, with their wrists tied up, additionally immobilized with an anti-apparition charm.

Tonks feels a cold cramp in her stomach.

Holy fuck.

'Tonks!' Moody yells at her. 'I've told you: no screwing around! Where the hell have you been?!'

'Upstairs.' Tonks mutters, watching in pain her defeated comrades.

'What's going on upstairs, Tonks?' Kingsley asks. 'I've heard that Dumbledore had arrived?'

'Yeah. He's there, fighting the Da... fighting Voldemort.'

She looks at the three Aurors. Lupin cowers against the wall, with his face hidden in his palms. Well, he has just lost his best friend...

Kingsley and Moody look at the Death Eaters with a disgust.

The group of five teenagers led by Potter sit in the corner of the chamber, clung together. Each of the kids is more or less badly injured.

The tied-up Death Eaters... Tonks has an urge to yell and cry about her own helplessness.

What can I do? How can I help them?

She glances at Uncle Lucius, who looks like a man, who had already given up. He hangs his head down and slouches his shoulders...

This is bad.

'Tonks, the Ministry officials are going to be here any moment now.' Moody says. 'Fudge himself is coming, too. I've already informed them what had happened down here.'

Holy fuck, this is bad...

Tonks hits on a bold idea.

She jumps on the elevation, and stands close to her Uncle.

'Have you heard that, bastard?!' she says very loudly. 'Minister Fudge is about to arrive! You guys are fucked now!'

She pretends to mock Lucius (accompanied by Moody's and Kingsley's obnoxious laughs) but in reality, she desperately tries to make an eye contact with Uncle.

Much to her relief, she finally meets silver eyes, full of despair.

She lowers her own eyes, attempting to lead Lucius' gaze down.

She opens her jacket's pocket, where the shining glass ball of the Prophecy is safely hidden.

Lucius' eyes widen in shock and disbelief. He looks at his niece, who imperceptibly pulls the ball out and puts it to Lucius' tied-up hand.

She glances quickly at the Aurors; Moody and Kinsley are occupied with a conversation, Lupin is lost in his grief.

Taking advantage of their lack of attention, she starts imperceptibly working on Lucius' bonds, trying to loosen them...

'Minister Fudge, it's true! They're here! Death Eaters!'

'I know, Williamson, Dumbledore has already explained...'

Fuck.

A few dozens of Wizards and Witches from the Ministry, with Fudge leading the way, step into the chamber.

Flash lights of magical cameras blazes one-by-one.

Tonks fells the warm surface of the Prophecy back in her hand. Lucius returns it... he wants her to keep it...

'Give it to the Dark Lord...' he whispers to her ear, barely moving his lips.

Some of the Ministry officials start climbing up on the elevation. They grab the Death Eaters by their arms and drag them out of the room, apparently for an interrogation...

One of the Ministry Wizards grabs Lucius' shoulder and leads him outside.

Uncle turns his head to look back at the girl. She can barely hear his last words:

'Take care of Narcissa and Draco.'