MIND

"Shit!" Tonks exclaimed. She shouldn't have bothered with that nap. Now it was five minutes past four, meaning she was late for her Careers Advice meeting with Professor Sprout. She sprung out of bed and sprinted to the Greenhouses, taking a secret passage from the common room that led directly into the grounds. Another five minutes had passed before she finally reached her Head of House's office, tripping over her feet and planting her face into the ground as she passed the threshold.

Professor Sprout sighed and shook her head. Luckily for Tonks, Sprout was one of the few teachers who really found her endearing as opposed to irritating, but that didn't mean that she didn't wish with all her heart that Tonks would grow up a little. Just a little.

Tonks took the seat in front of Professor Sprout's desk, apologizing profusely for her tardiness. Sprout assured her it was okay, but they needed to get this meeting done since it was cut ten minutes short. "So," began Professor Sprout, "have you begun to consider what career path you intend to travel after Hogwarts?"

She had seen the other Hufflepuff Fifth Years looking through the brochures spread about the common room tables. Frankly, she didn't need to look through them. She always knew her destiny. "I'm going to start a band," Tonks proclaimed.

Professor Sprout sighed. "That's an idea, dearie, but do you know how to play an instrument?"

"I could always learn." The woman and the girl looked at each other. The woman barely contained a sigh.

"Well, how about, in the meantime, we talk about a backup plan?"

Immediately, Tonks's invincible act vanished. The grin was smacked off her face, and she grew serious. "Honestly, professor, I have no idea what to do. Never really thought about growing up much, y'know?"

Sensing her insecurity, Sprout eased up, hoping to encourage, not dishearten, her. "Well, what are you good at? Let's start with that."

"Anything with a wand, really, I just don't like theory," Tonks said, "You already know that I'm only passable at Potions and Herbology, since I'm so clumsy, but everything else is good. Oh, and there's Quidditch. And Morphing, of course."

"Ah, yes. Rumor is, you've far exceeded everyone's expectations in that area. I heard from Professor Dumbledore that your McGonagall is near perfect."

Tonks burned at the semi-compliment. It was nice when people praised her morphing skill, rather than calling her a freak or expecting her to use it as a party trick. "Thank you."

"You know, Tonks, I wouldn't have suggested this before because of, as you said, your clumsiness and Potions and Herbology grades, but how do you feel about being an Auror?"

The girl gaped at Sprout. "What?"

"The Stealth aspect might give you trouble. But I think your morphing makes up for it in the Disguise and Concealment section. If you could pull up your grades in all subjects – after all, for the most part you have the practice down, you simply need to study the theory - you'd be a very likely candidate. You certainly have the energy and skill with a wand to do it. What do you think?"

Tonks gave it some serious consideration. "I've always wanted to be, but everyone told me I wouldn't make it. I can't even be certain that I can. You'll probably give me the extra tutoring in Herbology, but I'm useless at Potions."

"Ask Rose or Morgana for help, then. They're both a natural at potions. I'm sure they'll be glad to help you. That is, of course, only if you seriously want to do it. I'm not going to force you into something you don't want."

"No! You're not forcing me into anything. I always dreamed of being a superhero, anyway, and this is the closest I'll probably get. I just didn't think I could do it."

"Tonks… you have more nerve and determination than anyone I know. It's difficult, but if you can't do it I'm sure no one can."

For the rest of the year, Tonks threw herself into her studies. She would need at least 5 O.W.L.s to qualify for the classes needed to be an Auror. More studies, unfortunately for the other students, meant fewer mishaps from Tonks, and therefore less entertainment. Though the student body was a little disappointed, the faculty commended Pomona for getting Tonks to focus on schoolwork. It appears that she, like anyone else, simply needed a purpose in life in order to ignite that spark.

Nearly five years later, Tonks was undergoing rigorous Auror training under Mad-Eye Moody. Sometimes, the thought that she was completely insane for choosing this drifted through her mind, more than once, but she never once regretted her decision. After all, this is what she lived for: excitement, danger, and a little challenge.

She dodged a spell and promptly fell hard on her elbow, but thanks to her quick reflexes she pushed herself without even taking a pause and threw a Stunning spell at the caster. He crumpled, unconscious. Tonks cast a petrifying charm on him and, knowing that he wouldn't be able to move for a while, turned to her fellow fallen trainees, healing and reviving them.

It was then the lights in the room turned on fully, revealing the course that was the final test to qualify as an Auror. Out of her class, only three people made it this far. Only Tonks was still conscious with no injuries at the end, despite the self-inflicted bruise or two.

Mad-Eye entered from the back of the room, his wooden leg clunking with every other step. Approaching Tonks, he offered his hand for her to shake.

"Congratulations," he said gruffly, "You qualified. Well, we have to go through the paperwork and all that nonsense, but you have the job."

Tonks beamed. And, underneath the rough exterior, so did Moody.