"Wotcher Kingsley," Nymphadora Tonks was at her boss's desk and had to move to the side as an airplane zoomed past her. She yawned and ruffled her hair, trying to wake herself up some more. Kingsley was looking at her as if he had never seen anything like her before. Kingsley was dark skinned, and his eyes shone brightly most of the time. Now though, he was looking sort of put out.

"Nymphadora," he was the only person (besides her parents) that she let call her by her first name. She saw he was trying to avoid her eyes, and his eyes traveled to her brown and very bland hair. "I think you need a day off."

It took her a second to comprehend what he had just said. "What? No! Kingsley I have seven reports to fill out! Not to mention the fiasco that I need to-"

He put a hand up to stop her as someone came up behind her. "What is it Dawlish?" he asked turning his head to the wiry, short man.

"Shacklebolt sir," the tough-looking wizard began, casting a glance at the witch now beside him- as he had taken a few steps to the side, and forward. "I- er-"

"Spit it out, I've got important matters to attend to."

"Right. We need someone else to attend Hogwarts with me and guard-"

"Ah!" Kingsley jumped up and made both Aurors at his desk jump back. "That settles it then… Nymphadora," his gaze landed on her and she forced a small smile. He grinned mischievously, which made her attempt to smile falter.

"Erm… yes?"

"You will be accompanying Dawlish here to Hogwarts to stand guard when September arrives. I will be giving you full and detailed briefing later, but as I said you need a day off. I will not take no for an answer," he put up a hand to silence the protest that was about to escape Tonks' lips. "Thos reports will be there tomorrow no doubt." He then looked at Tonks, sized up her hair, bloodshot eyes, and her obvious depression. "Or in two days."

"But Kings-"

"Nymphadora," he said and looked at Dawlish who was still standing there. "Can I help you with anything else?"

"Er, yes sir. I was… I mean… are you sure she's up to the task?"

Tonks felt like hitting him, but Kingsley ruined her thoughts. "I am more than 'sure' Dawlish. Tonks here is a fantastic auror, and she has never let her personal life affect her work. As you can tell, she would rather pass out then go home and get a decent sleep."

Nymphadora saw Dawlish nod, and noticed his jaw clench. Then with a swish of his robes, he left the office.

"Now, Nymphadora don't make me force you out of this office. I was hoping that you would leave of your own will, but if I have to make you I'd be willing."

"There's no need Kingsley," she said and felt her jaw clench too. "I'll just take my paperwork and-"

"You will not! You are just going to go home and sleep."

She wasn't about to confess there was no way she would be able to fall asleep, so she just nodded and turned around about to leave the office.

"Oh and Nymphadora," she turned around and he gave her a small smile. "feel better soon."

--

Instead of going home, she went to Diagon Alley. She had to do some shopping, and this was the best place she could go. She had to stop by Gringotts to pick up some money first though, before she could buy anything.

Walking into the doors however, she ran into Bill Weasley.

"Tonks?" he asked her, looking at her hair, and bloodshot eyes.

She hit him on the arm in response playfully, even though she knew he wasn't joking. "Of course it's me!" she exclaimed indignantly.

"Ouch!" he rubbed the spot she hit him mockingly and smiled at her. "What cha doin' here Tonks?"

"Out shopping of course… Kingsley gave me the day off."

He once again took in her form. "Been getting much sleep?" Tonks just shook her head and forced a tiny smile onto her face. Bill lowered his voice, even though there was no one near them, except a few Goblins at the desks. It was oddly deserted… "Coming to the next meeting?" she had to strain to hear him.

"Dunno…" Tonks shrugged, knowing full well she wouldn't be.

"Remus isn't going to be there," Bill whispered, but Tonks heard a hint of pity and concern in his voice.

"Been listening to your mum then, have you?" she said coldly, and loudly. "Charlie should take a page out of your book. He knows my problem is someone but not who."

"Whom," Bill corrected her and she scowled at him. "And he knows now… went to visit mum this morning, like me. We both found out at the same time Tonks."

"Right," she was now wishing she hadn't come to Diagon Alley at all. Not if this was what she had to endure. "Well, I best get on with my shopping then."

"Ah, well have a good day off Tonks- and get some rest," Bill put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze before he left the building.

--

Tonks exited the wizarding bank with pocketfuls of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. She bought enough groceries and tea to last her for quite awhile. She was also lucky enough to find some Sally Darin's Powered Sleeping Drought. All she had to do was put a packet of unflavored powder into her tea and it would help her get to sleep. She couldn't have too much though and it was a one-way trip to St. Mungos; the box warned that.

After getting all she needed, she made her way from store to store her groceries shrunk into her pocket. She still had a fair amount of money left, and when she passed Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour she decided to go in and have some. Leaving full of Pumpkin flavored ice cream, she decided to go and visit Fred and George. They had just opened their shop not too long ago, and she had yet to check it out. She made her way to where it was and when saw that it was full of witches and wizards she decided she could check the store out some other day.

Just as she turned around to go back home, she heard someone call her name. Tonks turned around and heard it again, and saw someone with Weasley read hair pushing their way through the crowd in the shop.

"Oi! Tonks hold up!" she heard and the redhead finally shoved his way past the throng of people. He jogged over to where she was and smiled at her.

"Wotcher Fre-" she wasn't sure if it was George or Fred so she stopped before she was through. "rge."

"Frerge?" Fred or George asked questioningly.

"Sorry," Tonks said. "I still have trouble telling you two apart. There sure are a lot of Weasleys here today."

"Oh Tonks," the Frerge put and arm around her shoulders and squeezed. "My own mother can't even tell… don't feel too horrible. I'm Fred by the way- you had it right the first time."

Tonks wasn't sure how to respond to the arm around her shoulders, or the comment he just made.

"What's up with your hair?" Ah, trust Fred to not beat around the bush, or try to ignore it the best he could like everyone else.

"I have no idea," she said half-truthfully and wrapped an arm around his waist awkwardly.

"Now, where do you think you're going?" he asked. "You need to take a look in the shop." He steered her around and started leading her toward the entrance.

"Well, I was going to but it's quite busy," this seemed to be a compliment because he beamed as soon as she said it.

"So right my friend," he smiled down at her and stopped walking, squinting at the shop with a smile on his face. "How about you come by tonight after closing? Bill told me you had the day off work? He also said you need sleep but…" Fred broke off as he looked down at her. "Or maybe you do need sleep. Been workin' hard love?"

"Er… I'm kinda busy tonight," she was needing to try out that powered drought. One full night's rest was all she wanted. She also would prefer to avoid questions, and all human contact. Fred and Bill were pushing it as it was, and her ice cream buzz had worn off.

"Oh right… by the way," he lowered his voice so no one in the crowd would overhear them. Although that would be near impossible since they noise they were making made it hard for her to even hear him. "You should come to the next meeting. There aren't going to be many people there really... but you haven't been to one in awhile. We all miss you there Tonks."

Right. That was because the last time most of them had seen her she had been perky, colorful, and not hanging by a thread. "I'll think about it," she said with doubt clearly in her voice. She really didn't want to see all those looks of pity… as everyone would know about her and… him by now. Except Fred obviously, or he was just doing a good job hiding that he knew.

"Mhmm," Fred looked down at her and let go of her shoulder. He looked her right in the eyes. "Think hard Tonks… I will come and get you if you don't show." He smiled mischievously. "And I'm pretty strong; I bet I could carry you."

Tonks sighed and put her hands in her pockets. "I don't doubt you could Fred."

"Well, I best be off… customers to assist and all… hope to see you tomorrow after closing," he straightened up, gave Tonks one last smile, and pushed his way back into the throng of people.

Shaking her head, Tonks hurried out of Diagon Alley without running into anyone else she knew. Or anyone at all really- it was nearly deserted.

--

Tonks looked up from her tea full of the powdered drought when there came a knock on her door. She stood up very slowly, and made her way from her kitchen into the living room and opened the door. Almost as immediately, and before she even saw who was there she was swept up in strong arms and her feet left the ground.

"Uf… can't… breathe," she managed to choke out.

She heard a muffled "sorry" and was set back onto the ground where she could breathe again. Looking up, she saw the kind face of Charlie Weasley.

"What are you doing here?" she asked and hurried back into the kitchen.

"Just came to visit you of course," he said and followed her. "What's that?" he asked pointing to the empty packet of draught she had forgotten to throw away.

"I've been having trouble sleeping lately," Tonks shrugged and sat back down in front of her tea.

"This stuff is dangerous," Charlie said frowning and reading the packet. He looked up from it into Tonks' bloodshot eyes.

"Yeah thanks, I already know that though… I can read," she mumbled finishing off her tea. "Well, I'm going to try and get some rest. By the way, how did you know I wasn't going to be at work?"

Charlie seemed too preoccupied with the packet to answer right away. "Bill," he finally said.

Tonks stood up and walked into the living room, trying to get Charlie to follow her so she could bid him goodbye, but he didn't follow her. She went back into the kitchen and found him sitting at the seat she had just vacated and still holding onto the packet.

"Charlie I need to get some sleep, and this may actually help."

"You didn't have any trouble falling asleep last night," he mumbled, not looking up from the packet. Then, he looked up into her eyes. "Promise me you won't take too much of this stuff… and not too often either. It's… addicting."

"You talk as if you know."

"I do," he said and stood up. "Well come on let's get you tucked in. He threw the empty packet in the garbage on his way over to Tonks.

"What?" she took a step away from him when he approached her. He smiled at her and wrapped one arm around her waist and led her to the couch.

He put a pillow under her head before she laid down, and when he let go of her waist she was lying down. He pulled a blanket off the back of the couch and covered her with it. He bent down and kissed her forehead lightly as she closed her eyes.

"I'll lock your door when I leave," was the last thing she heard before drifting off to sleep.