"Drama, Drama, Andromeda," Sirius sung, a lilt in his voice. He had a glass of green fairy vodka in hand, leaning against his cousin. Ted was grinning, his cheeks tinged red.

Nymphadora, though she refused to acknowledge that name, rolled her eyes at her parents and uncle. It was her birthday, yet they were the ones getting sloshed. Though she could probably pinch a bottle later in the night.

Later, when she didn't have to babysit Harry Bloody Potter. The kid was all sorts of weird, snooping through the kitchen cabinets then burying his nose in one of her parents' healer books. Definitely a Ravenclaw if Tonks had ever seen one.

He wasn't the only one she was going to have to babysit though. Her annoying little cousin would be arriving soon to see how the common people lived. Tonks didn't get why Malfoy the elder did that. His wife, Narcissa, would have hated it, but she was five years dead and apparently he didn't care about her opinion one wit.

At least two of Tonks' friends were coming. Having a birthday mid-summer normally meant most of her friends were on holiday, but the Weasleys never went far and Penny, a fellow Hufflepuff, had just gotten back from Aruba.

She heard the floo blaze and hurried to the living room to see who'd arrived. She frowned. "Hello, Uncle Lucius." She looked at the equally blond boy. "Cousin Draco."

"Nymphadora, I can never tell if you've grown or just made yourself look taller," Lucius said in his usual holy-than-thou voice. He held out a small green package wrapped in velvet green. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you." She accepted the gift, her ears red in anger from him using that wretched name. "My parents and Uncle Sirius are in the kitchen," drinking themselves stupid, she mentally added on.

"Wonderful. Take care of Draco, won't you?" He didn't wait for a response as he made his way out, leaving the pair to stare at each other.

"One word about my house or clothes and I'll hex you into tomorrow," Tonks warned. She'd put up with his pompous rear enough as is. She wasn't going to deal with it on her birthday. He glared at her. "Harry Potter is in the study. If you're not too much of a wanker, you might even make a friend." She watched him leave, trying not to grin. Hopefully those two nuisances would keep each other occupied.

Tonks went back to the kitchen to listen to the 'adults'. Lucius had already joined in on the drinking.

"We nearly have him over the barrel," Lucius said. His back was ramrod straight in his seat. Dromeda and Sirius were leaning against each other while her father, Ted, was slumped on the table. Give it a few more glasses and Lucius might pull the stick that was shoved up his ass out. Tonks took a seat at the table, but stayed silent. "He had a bit of capital when we moved to hire Lord Gaunt against his wishes, but after this newest move…" Lucius shook his head. "He has no respect for tradition or culture."

"Allowing squibs to go to Hogwarts is a bold move," Dromeda conceded. "Whatever is the point of it?"

"They do have more magic than muggles, darling," Ted said. "Just not enough to do most wizarding things. With enough training they could make great potioneers."

"I wouldn't drink a potion made by a squib." Lucius made an imperious noise and took a hearty drink from his glass.

"Better than killing them off. Ancient Blacks used to drown their children if they didn't show any magic by the time they turned thirteen." Sirius refilled his and Dromeda's drinks. "They're better off living with muggles."

"They should be sterilized—" Lucius was met with an onslaught of disagreement. Tonks tensed up. "Just listen. We've seen what Muggles do to magicals. If the squib parent doesn't know of their heritage or dies, then the little wizard or witch would be left at the mercy of the muggles. We all know what they did to Harry. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. We have to protect the next generation."

"You're such an extremist, Lucius. Maybe there should be a school just for squibs," Sirius suggested.

"I like that idea," Ted added, but was ignored.

"A school for orphans, you mean? No true wizarding family would openly claim a squib."

"Lu-Lu's right." Dromeda was starting to slur. "But Sirius has the right idea of it. Having squibs at Hogwarts is just cruel. Remember poor Mr. Filch? He's a miserable old bugger—not that a student ever treated him right a day in his life. It will be just the same for any other squibs Albus brings in, worse, since they'll be children."

The quartet descended into argument. Tonks used their distraction to steal a bottle of Firewhisky and leave.

She checked on the two brats in the study. Harry was sitting at the desk, reading a thick book—and taking notes. What a Ravenclaw. Draco was pouting by the window, his face ruddy and arms crossed over his chest. Clearly the little bugger had put his foot in his mouth again.

Tonks hid the Firewhisky in her room then waited for Charlie and Penny to arrive. She toyed with the idea of opening the gift from Uncle Lucius while she waited, but refrained. She'd open all her presents at once.

Charlie was the first one to arrive. He gave her a big hug. He breathed in deeply, but before he could get a word out Tonks said, "If it's about your bloody dragons I don't want to hear it."

He clutched his heart. "Tonks, just because you can make yourself look pretty on the outside doesn't mean you're pretty on the inside."

"Still prettier than you, Freckles."

Charlie snorted, "As if I haven't heard that one before." He shoved a wrapped gift at her that was clearly a book. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you. The whole family is here, plus Harry Bloody Potter."

"Da said that he's a Black now. The Wizengmont voted and made it official. Bad business in my opinion."

Tonks vaguely remembered something like that being in the papers, but hadn't paid it much mind.

The pair plopped down on the couch and shared stories on how their summer was going until Penny showed up. They listened dutifully as she gushed about Aruba. Not long after they were called to the kitchen to eat birthday cake and open presents. Charlie got into a spirited discussion about dragons with Harry that Tonks easily ignored. After the official party Tonks and her best mates went upstairs to drink and have a real party.

HP

Dumbledore ignited another Howler before it could go off. He sighed and went back over the planned curriculum for the squib classes. It was less than a month before school started up. Professor Discor was threatening to quit, Lord Gaunt had invaded Hogwarts to take over the position of Potion Master from Slughorn, and Albus could hardly go a minute without an owl popping in. He was tempted to erect a shield around his office.

Albus felt like vultures were flying above him, but he refused to stand down. Perhaps he hadn't been as smooth as he'd meant to. The majority of the Governors were pureblooded, but—

Minerva's cat patronus scratched at his door. He opened it with a flick of his wand. "Albus, the Board of Governors are meeting again. They request your presence immediately." The patronus disappeared into a wisp once its message was delivered.

Albus sighed. He didn't think he'd have to pay the price for this decision so soon.

He straightened his red robe with green starbursts. He grabbed a pinch of floo powder. "Governor's Association." The green fire enveloped him then he was in the echoing halls that were almost as old as Hogwarts. And twice as dusty. He sneezed like a kitten and glanced around. Thankfully no one was around to hear him. It was an embarrassing trait he'd done his best to hide over the years.

By the length of the candles he could tell the Board of Governors had been convening for hours. They hadn't summoned him to debate an issue, no they'd make a decision and he was only here to follow their will. But he wasn't one to follow blindly.

He entered the boardroom, "My friends." The looks he received were not kind, at best indifferent. At worst—Malfoy—was hostile. Albus was unaffected.

"Are we to understand that you wish to have the disgraced Lady Potter as the one to run your squib pet-project?" Malfoy's voice was dry.

"Disgraced is too strong of a word." Albus was met with more than one scoff. "Lily Potter is in a unique position as having been raised by muggles and living as a witch. She can help the squibs navigate the two worlds and find their own place." Albus stroked his beard. "She is the perfect fit."

"Professor Dumbledore," Lady Longbottom said, "are the Potters the ones that came up with this idea?" Before he could speak she continued. "That this is all just a ploy for Lily Potter to have access to her estranged son, Harry Black?"

"Relationships between staff and students is strictly professional," he assured them. And if Lily built a bridge with young Harry then all the better.

Lady Longbottom's lips twisted up. It gave Albus an ill feeling. He was never sure how she regarded him.

Lord Greengrass, who was traditional neutral in all things spoke up, "If that is a fact then you should have no problem with Lord Black taking the recently vacated position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Ah, so Professor Discor had quit afterall.

"That is an esteemed position—"

"Which is perfect for such an esteemed member of our society, a pureblood and Auror Second Class." Albus wasn't sure why Malfoy was on Sirius' side. They had been on opposite sides during the war. It only solidified in Albus' mind that Sirius was a bad fit for young Harry.

"Hmm, yes. He would be a fitting professor. He will have to propose a curriculum before school begins. The book lists for the year have already been sent out. He'll have to work with that material."

"That will be no obstacle." Lady Longbottom waved her hand in dismissal.

He gave a half bow and turned to leave. He smiled to himself. Thankfully, they had yet to learn he'd made James Potter the new flying instructor.

I'm hoping to regain some of my inspiration once I finish the Symbiote!Tony/Loki story that's been twisting around in my head!