Chapter 4 – Epilogue
"It's nice," Alastor commented.
Tonks looked around with a scowl. It was a one bedroom flat in the middle of a London suburb and although it had a floo and furniture she hated it. It was boringly painted, void of life, laughter and other people. She was used to home and being with her mum and dad. Anywhere without them would seem horrible in comparison.
"You'll get used to it," he said and roughly patted her on the back. "Once you've tripped over a few things."
"That won't take long," she grimly replied and put her suitcases down on the floor.
One of them fell over and bruised her shin.
"Ow!" she yelped.
Alastor chuckled. "See?"
"Yeah," she gloomily said and stood the suitcase back up. "I suppose."
"You'll be alright then?" he asked.
"S'pose," she shrugged and then said, "Thanks, Alastor," and hugged him.
Before he could tell his traitorous arms otherwise they'd circled around her and he hugged her back. He supposed she deserved a little comfort after all she'd been through in the past couple of weeks.
"Sure you'll manage?" he asked when she let him go. "It's just like you to fall over and crack your head open."
"I'll be fine, Mad-Eye," she said with a nod.
"Don't call me Mae-Eye," he ordered.
He hated the name. He didn't see why everyone insisted on calling him that. His replacement eye did spin around a lot, he knew that, but it was an invaluable tool for the job! It allowed him to look through all kinds of magical enchantments not to mention the back of his own head. It allowed him to maintain constant vigilance.
"As soon as you stop calling me Nymphadora," she promised with a sly smirk.
"That's what your parents called you, so that's what I will as well."
"Alright, Mad-Eye. If you say so," she grinned because she was going to have so much fun teasing him.
"So, you're going to be alright then?" he asked again.
"Yes!" she said in exasperation.
"Good," he said and took one last look around the flat before turning to leave. "Good."