AN: Not a great amount to say except that Im sad this fic is almost over. After this, theres really only two more chapters of fun then it raps up –sniff –. So yes, the sex will come soon. I also start a writing course soon, so Im not sure how much Im going to want to write when Im already writing 5 hours a day. Dont worry your little heads, Ill finish this, but Im not sure what the rate of updates will be on my other fic. Im not an abandoner.
By the way, something weird happened to my keyboard halfway through typing this, and the quotation marks look kind of off. I hope it doesnt show up that way on the site, but if it does, I apologize. I just cant seem to fix them.
OOOoooOOO
Harry looked deeply into Draco's eyes as they both grabbed onto the portkey. Around them, the Aurors were already holding it, waiting for the moment Dumbledore had set it to activate. Harry could see that his mate was scared but holding it in, not wanting to show weakness. Harry himself wasn't so much frightened as determined. He could feel that this time was special.
He looked over at Tonks who had changed into him. It was an odd feeling, looking at yourself like this, Harry decided. It had taken awhile for her to get it right – first she had made his nose too long, then too wide. Then she had forgotten his scar, one leg had actually been longer than the other at some point. While this had provided some laughs and relieved the tension for the moment, she was sure it would escalate once more when they arrived.
With only ten seconds left before they left, Hermione hugged him and kissed his cheek. Nothing needed to be said as Ron lightly punched his shoulder affectionately.
"Good luck," Was the last word from Dumbledore before they spun out of the office.
Seconds later they landed outside a large white manor, with pillars in the front, reaching up three storeys. The manor itself looked to be about seven storeys and stretched for hundreds upon hundreds of meters.
Kingsley grabbed Tonks, still disguised as Harry, by the shoulder and turned her around to face him.
"Remember, if there is any danger, portkey out immediately. We will be alerted through our own portkeys if this should happen. Don't endure unnecessary danger."
Where normally Tonks would roll her eyes at his concern, she instead nodded seriously. "I've been briefed just as much as you have Kingsley. I know what's going on. Shall I go in now? Get this thing over with?"
Remus nodded and hugged her. She grabbed frantically back at him, not letting go. They did, however, finally have to separate and she had to leave. They all watched as she walked cautiously up to the front door and knocked.
Of the four of them, Harry and Draco were covered by Harry's invisibility cloak, and Kingsley and Remus had strong disillusion charm on themselves which, while it didn't make them invisible, was better than going in with nothing.
Meanwhile, a Death Eater had answered the door and ushered Tonks inside. She glanced nervously at the Death Eaters lining the halls and hoped the others would be able to find their way in and to Narcissa. They were counting on her being heavily guarded but not to this extent.
She was led for close to ten minutes, through hallways and rooms. Probably, thought Tonks, so a rescue mission would be difficult.
They stopped at a secluded room, probably, she thought, in the West Wing of the manor. They made her sit, and one of the hooded figures flicked his wand. Ropes sprang up around her, securing her to the chair, then left.
Having had her wand taken from her at the very start, there was nothing much she could do but wait. She had been trained for exactly these types of situations and it shouldn't have fazed her, but Tonks couldn't help feeling scared. Self-preservation was very strong in her, having also nearly been placed in Slytherin.
They let her sit for a good forty five minutes. She figured, as she was sitting there, this was probably primarily to let her anticipation and fear drain her energy, and also to allow any polyjuice potion to wear off.
The next time the door opened, it was Voldemort. He had a lackey on either side. She instantly recognized them as Avery and Macnair. Must be his new favourites, she thought derisively.
"Ah," Voldemort said, running the tip of his wand down her jaw bone, "Harry Potter. How have you been since we spoke last? That was in the graveyard of my father, if I am not mistaken."
Tonks stared back, eyes hard. She tried to keep in mind how strong willed Harry always appeared. She heart was beating much faster than she would have liked, but she knew she had to hold up her facade.
"How is Misses Diggory holding up after the unfortunate accident with her son? I hope not too much blame went to you, did it?" His face held what could have been interpreted as concern, had Tonks not known who he was. She felt a strong urge to spit in his face but managed to hold herself back, remembering what would most likely happen to her if she gave in to said urge.
"What's the matter Potter, not going to say anything? Do I need to ask Macnair to loosen your tongue?" He gestured to his side and the Death Eater held his wand at the ready.
Tonks knew what he was capable of. He killed for a living with the Ministry.
"What would you have me say... Tom?" She remembered at the last minute to call him by his given name. Harry had told her to do so before they left. It would anger him, but it would help along the idea that it was actually Harry inside the body, something Tonks was very concerned with.
Just as Tonks had trouble changing her appearance when she was sad, she had trouble when she felt threatened. If she had ever felt threatened, now was it. It was taking her a lot of effort to keep up her appearance as Harry. That, combined with the emotion of fear coursing through her, didnt leave her much energy to concentrate on acting as Harry acted.
She realized she had tuned out of their conversation, probably something she shouldnt have done. Voldemort was now going on about his parents, something Tonks found somewhat predictable but would probably have angered Harry. Oh, she thought, right.
Dont talk about my parents! You have no right! She yelled, trying to get some emotion across, even if she herself wasn't feeling it.
Why, because I killed them? I believe that gives me every right. I ended their lives, the most I can do now is remember them. Isnt that right? Voldemort smiled lazily at her. So tell me, Harry. Do you think I should let you live now? Ive got your right where Ive wanted you for so long. And you... you poor thing, youre defenceless.
Tonks glared right back at him, and her tongue toyed with her portkey. The Aurors kept small portkeys in their mouths to avoid detection. To activate, you just had to bite down. She couldnt use it yet. She wanted to, but she wasnt in immediate danger as of yet and she hadnt given the others enough time to locate and rescue Narcissa Malfoy.
If you gave me back my wand, we could duel. Then you could say you beat me fair and square. That you were a better wizard than me.
She knew right off that he would refuse this proposal, but she felt that as long as she kept him talking and taunting, she had time left. After all, he didnt seem to be in such a huge hurry to kill her. It seemed that now Harry Potters death seemed imminent, he wanted to enjoy it and drag it out.
Suddenly, out the corner of her eye, she saw a huge snake glide into the room. Its That, she realized, must have been Nagini.
She had heard the others speak of the snake, especially after Arthur Weasley was bitten by it a couple of years back, but she had never imagined it would look so menacing. She had never been particularly afraid of snakes. Weary would have been a more suited word to describe her relationship with the species as a whole.
Voldemort too, it seemed, had seen the snake. He watched almost affectionately – at least, as affectionately as Voldemort could – as she made her way over to him. He then spoke to her in parseltongue. As he did this, Tonks froze.
They had forgotten about this tiny detail.
Changing physically into Harry did not give her the ability to speak parseltongue. She was just as oblivious to what he said as she wouldve been if he had spoken Japanese. If not more so.
She shifted nervously in her seat because, one, her realization and two, hearing the snake language that had a reputation as being evil was somewhat unsettling. It was, she felt, just a matter of time before he found out she wasnt Harry. Lucky for the portkey, she supposed.
He was still hissing away, except that now he was looking at Tonks. She didnt know if he was speaking to her or to Nagini. Not that it made much of a difference. She couldnt exactly pretend she knew what he was saying. It couldve been anything.
When he stopped hissing and there was silence, Tonks really felt she should say something, but she couldnt for the life of her think of what.
She settled for remaining impassive, and not letting on that she had anything to say at all.
Voldemorts already slanted eyes narrowed even further. He said something again, this time there was no mistaking that he was addressing her. He obviously expected an answer.
Tonks couldnt tell if he was suspicious of her, or simply thought she was ignoring him. Honestly, she wasnt sure which she was hoping for.
When she continued to sit still, Voldemort approached her. He once again touched the tip of his wand to her chin and tilted it up so that her eyes met his. She unexpectedly felt a rush of memories pass through her mind, ranging from when she was a little girl, just learning to use her powers, to kissing Remus passionately, embracing him tightly.
The last she caught on was from just an hour ago in Dumbledores office. Everyone was giving her suggestions on how to appear more like Harry. Seeing this, she snapped out of the passive state she had been in and panicked. What else could she do now? Given any time, Voldemort would most likely kill her himself for deceiving him.
She broke the connection, shuffled the portkey in her mouth and bit down.
She instantly felt herself being swooped up in an imaginary wind and the next moment, she lay on the Ministry for Magic floor, panting heavily.
Someone rushed up to her, helping her up and asking if she was alright. She didnt pay attention to them, not having the time to spare. She had to tell Dumbledore what had happened.
She rushed to the nearest fireplace. There were plenty around for floo purposes with people always coming in and out of the Ministry.
She stuck her head in and called for Albus Dumbledore. His head came in the next second.
What happened? He asked, immediately concerned as she was back long before she should have been.
He realized I wasnt Harry. He started to speak parseltongue and I couldnt understand or answer him, so he performed legilimency on me and found out. Im sorry. Usually I can use occlumency against that, but it was so sudden and he was so strong...
She trailed off. She felt guilty for leaving the rest of them in the manor with dozens of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself.
Nymphadora, this is not your fault. It was discussed that at the first sign of danger you were to retreat. Had you not, I would have been disappointed. There is nothing more to be said on that matter. I would be curious though, did Voldemort know the others were there as well?
Well he didnt see that from me, but he probably realized. Why else would I have come, but as a distraction? Merlin I hope they leave now they know I got in trouble.
Yes, I as well. If you would, and you are not too injured, stay at the Ministry in case Kingsley uses his portkey. I will stay here in the event that Remus uses his. If they need assistance, take them straight to Saint Mungos then contact me. In that order. Do you understand? Even through the fire he looked severe.
Tonks swallowed heavily, still not convinced she had done the right thing. Of course. Whatever you ask Albus.
His head disappeared from the fire and she conjured a chair to wait in, all the while taping her foot fearfully. They could only wait. Wait, and hope.
OOOoooOOO
Alright so this is a short chapter but I wanted to get it out before book seven and if I wrote what will be next chapter, then it probably wouldnt get done in time. Next chapter will be from Harrys perspective. What happened during this chapter for them and the rest of the whole Voldy thing. Hang in there with the no fluff, when it comes, itll be annoyingly sweet. From my perspective, anyway.
Enjoy book 7 you guys!!! Im too excited, but in a way that I dont actually want it to come out because I dont want people to die or the series to be over. Harry wont die. He cant. Theres no way. Theres my opinion for you haha. And if he does, by some weird series of events, die – I send my love to everyone who will be crying. Myself included.