Oh dear. Trixy's broken out. What does that mean for the gang? I don't own it.
Everyone has their own fears to deal with. Some are bigger than others.
Remus came into Headquarters for a meeting in January and immediately noticed how full the room was. Everyone was here tonight.
Then Sirius chucked the Prophet at him. "Read that," he snarled.
Remus dropped into a seat between Sirius and Dora and complied. Oh hell.
Sirius scowled. "Ten known Death Eaters break out from Azkaban — including my bitch of a cousin -" Remus saw Dora flinch. "- who promised the 'Dark Lord' would collect them, or something like that,
and what does Fudge do? He blames it on me. Me! The scapegoat! As if they'd ever-"
"Sirius, shut it!" Dora exclaimed sharply. Sirius stopped talking.
Remus sighed, "Padfoot, we know. We know Fudge is an idiot. We know you'd never do this. You're the scapegoat. Now can we start the meeting?"
He nodded towards Dumbledore, who had been waiting patiently for Sirius to get everything off his chest. However, Remus — and Dora it seemed — knew that if you let him, Sirius would rant without pause.
The next hour was spent discussing the breakout and consequences of it...including the fact that Dementors could properly join Voldemort at any time.
They discussed Patronuses — thankfully, everyone knew how to produce one now — and defence measures, particularly on the Department of Mysteries, as well as personal security.
Remus could not help noticing Dora flinched every time Bellatrix was mentioned. When Dumbledore said that individuals with family affected last time or with family members as Death Eaters "would need to be extra vigilant" and Mad-Eye barked out his catchphrase of "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!", Remus saw a flash of fear cross Dora's face before it dropped into a schooled mask. Remus wondered if he was reading too much into it — after all, Molly and Arthur had exchanged worried glances and Sirius looked unusually grim — but still...
When the meeting was over, everyone left quickly. Remus cornered Dora as she was about to head off. "Is everything all right?" he asked softly. She stiffened and nodded. He frowned and continued, "I know the breakout's worrying, but...remember you have us...if you want to talk..."
Dora scowled. "I'm fine, Remus," she snapped, "Don't worry about me." she turned on her heel and stalked out the door. Remus sighed.
He turned to Sirius, who was talking with Mad-Eye. "Be warned, Black. There's another Boggart upstairs. It's moved into the library cabinet." the ex-Auror said, "Considering what happened last time..." his blue eye rolled upwards. "Bollocks! Should've told everyone earlier-"
Remus didn't hear the rest; he heard the scream. Dora. he thought, She's found the Boggart...
Remus ran. Ignoring screaming portraits, he practically flew up the stairs, taking the well-worn path to his favourite room in this mad house. He flung open the library door, then froze.
Dora was cowering in front of a larger-than-life Bellatrix Lestrange. "It's no use, wretch!" the Boggart shouted, "I far outmatch you! All your friends – your family – will die and you will be all alone!"
"R-ridickulus!" Dora whispered. With a crack, her parents appeared (dead), then changed (without Dora doing anything) to Mad-Eye and Sirius (dead)...while Bellatrix's mad cackle filled the air.
"Ridickulus!" Remus roared, as the image wavered again. With a crack, the full moon appeared. Remus banished it with his wand. Dora turned to him and suddenly burst into tears. Remus pulled her into his arms. "Ssh," he whispered, "It's safe now. It's all right Tonks. Ssh..."
Dora sobbed against his chest for a bit, as Remus guided her to the couch. Finally she started hiccupping, then sighed. "Sorry," she mumbled.
Remus swallowed. "Sorry? There's nothing to be sorry for, Tonks."
Tonks said, "You were right, earlier. There was something bugging me. Ever since I was little, my Boggart's been her. Normally I just laugh in her face, cos she's in Azkaban, but...now..."
She gulped. "I can't. The thing that started the fear was overhearing Mum and Dad talking, when I was little...must've been during the last days of the first war."
Remus said. "About her?"
Dora nodded. "Mum said...she always fancies herself the enforcer of family pride. Her most desired wish would be to be the one to cut the 'bad apples' off the tree."
Remus stiffened. Unbidden, an image of Dora spread-eagled on the ground, eyes open and glassy, surrounded by pools of blood, sprang into his mind.
An icy fist clenched around his heart.
"That's not going to happen." he said hoarsely, tightening his hold on her, "Not while I—we are here. The Order will help you. You're not the only one."
Dora sighed. "Thanks." she looked up at him and straightened. "Don't tell Sirius, please?"
Remus blinked. "He'd want to know..."
Dora said, "He'd worry too much. Mad-Eye is the only one who knows, apart from you."
Remus started to speak again, but Dora cut him off. "You know Sirius. He'd just do something rash. Besides, I don't know his Boggart. Nor do I want to."
Remus sighed. "Fair point. Come on. He'll be wondering where we've got to."
He took her hand and helped her up, then they went downstairs.
Oh Dora...that is not a good idea!