An; hey guys, structuring my chapters a little different from now on to improve readability...if that's even a word.
1.
It was a hectic night full of happiness and fun, everybody celebrating the new year with the people they care for most. Full of highlights like the Weasley twins, corny music that people couldn't help dancing to, incredible food that never seemed to end. Christmas is almost the appetizer for the wild partying to climax the year on.
Eventually people started disappearing off together, Harry and Ginny being the first to be lost. Then the twins disappearance coincided with Angelina and Alicia's. And Luna and Neville were missing somewhere, although the chance of that affair being anything but innocent is unlikely.
Hermione and Ron were the last to retreat from the outdoors and found a place in the living room. Hermione dropped onto the sofa like lead "this sofa is way too comfortable".
"Yeah" Ron agreed blankly, sitting rather close to Hermione. The brunette closed her eyes and leant her head back. "I'm so tired" she said in a yawn.
"Yeah" Ron responded inching closer. He leaned sideways over her and placed his right arm behind where Hermione's head rested on the sofa. Seeing that he had the opportunity and the surprise advantage he started leaning down to Hermione.
His momentum didn't stop until his lips connected to hers. Her eyes opened and her lips were unmoving. But as her brain recognised what was happening, and her newfound philosophy of being more carefree, she started kissing him back. He deepened the kiss, and rested his arm over Hermione's hip. She reciprocated by entwining her fingers into his hair.
Just as Ron was easing his tongue into Hermione's mouth, the fireplace lit up in green and Lupin's head popped through. His voice making Ron and Hermione separate in a fumble of limbs "Oh, do forgive me"
"L-Lupin, what-what are you doing? Aren't you on duty?" Hermione asked as collectedly as possible.
"I am, but we're in a bit of a pickle. May we come through momentarily?" Lupin asked.
Ron grunted more than granted him permission. Then Lupins head receded back and it was actually Kingsley and...a drunk Tonks that came stumbling through.
"Ha ha" the metamorph cackled as she spotted the two teenagers on the sofa "we gotcha. N-nooone of that leettle kiddies."
Kingsley helped Tonks over to the sofa where Ron and Hermione had relinquished their occupation of prior to their arrival. "How much has she had?" Hermione asked.
"More than she can afford" Kingsley grumbled back.
"I had onne...no two...three. Five, shix, sheven, eight" Then Tonks preceded to start singing. "My boot-scootin' baby is driving me crazy..."
"Bloody hell" Hermione cursed, earning a proud smile from Ron.
Then Lupin came through and Hermione swung around to meet him "what the hell was she thinking?"
Lupin tried to respond but he got interrupted by Tonks singing "...my rodeo Romeo, cowboy god from head to toe..."
"Will someone please shut her up?" Ron pleaded. Kingsley flicked his wand and Tonks slumped into sleep.
Lupin tried again "there was a bit of an incident at the Three Broomsticks. Tonks drunkenly tried to feed someone's beverage to them against their will, they didn't take very kindly. There was a bit of a brawl, somehow she got out unscaved"
"What was she even doing there, on duty?" Hermione berated.
"We have no idea, she was on a different case to us. We got called in to help keep the peace and we found her there" Lupin supplied. "She might have to stay here the night, I'll just let Arthur and Molly know what's happened."
He and Kingsley went to leave and Ron looked hopeful of continuing where he and Hermione left off, but that plan was thwarted when Lupin added before he left "and don't go gallivanting off, I need a private word with Hermione."
Ron huffed and wandered up the stairs, leaving Hermione with Tonks. The brunette fixed her eyes on the now unconscious woman. She calmly walked over and softly sat on the edge of the sofa. The first thing she said to the sleeping girl was "I'm so sorry Tonks".
Whilst Hermione was fed up, she was ever so more annoyed at herself than Tonks. She knew she had caused the turmoil that had set the older witch off tonight. Hermione thought she was trying to help, but she's just ruining Tonks life. Two weeks ago Nympthadora Tonks was enjoying life and drinking down her regular, now she was using it as an outlet to drink herself silly and enabling her to escape the demons Hermione had awakened.
All Hermione had to do was apologize for what happened in the forest and never speak of it again. Tonks was right, it wasn't an issue then so why is it one now? Tonks had clearly found comfort in how she lived, and how she looked, even if it was a false image of herself. Hermione should've understood that more than anyone. Why did she have to interfere?
Hermione watched Tonk's eyelids flutter and her throat gently gulp down air. She saw her pink hair, and her honey skin. Her intricate brows; flamingo lips and the chocolate eyes she knew she'd see if they weren't being hidden. Hermione had said there was nothing wrong with the true Tonks, but there was nothing wrong with this one eirher.
And it was a Tonks that Hermione was familiar with. She met her as this person, had known her for a year as this person. In fact, it would be weird if Tonks started presenting herself as her true form, like getting to know a new person. This version was more Tonks than the version she was born as, and was ashamed of; it was Tonks to the metamorph, and quite frankly Tonks to Hermione.
Lupin caught Hermione off-guard again when he strolled through the door. Hermione dropped Tonks hand, 'at what point did I start holding that' she mentally questioned herself, and stood up.
Lupin smiled warmly "thank you for taking care of her whilst I was gone"
Hermione didn't reply and instead asked "what's gonna happen to her?"
"She'll almost certainly be sacked, if not from being drunk and disorderly then for jeopardising a case. Is that what you were asking about?"
"Well actually I was thinking along the lines of her personal health and wellbeing" Hermione replied solemnly "but that makes me feel worse."
Lupin cupped her shoulder "this wasn't your fault Hermione. Tonks is the master of her body, not you."
"But I drove her to this" nodding in the direction of Tonks sleeping form.
"Because of the photo?" he asked.
'So he knows about that' "Because of all of it. I made Tonk's life a hell hole."
"Why do you think she got drunk tonight?" Lupin was curious to hear her answer.
"Obviously because I've made her self-conscious, and I've brought out things about her she wanted to forget" Hermione replied confidently.
"Hermione, not a day goes by in which Tonks doesn't battle with herself, not until the night you gave her that photo has she ever stopped." Lupin answered.
Hermione was confused "what are you saying?"
"Tonks got drunk tonight because she was angry at herself, for not believing in herself like you showed her she could. It was a punishment for her attitude, and yes maybe it was a bit of a distraction as well."
Hermione furrowed her brows "how do you know that?"
"This isn't the first night where she's been drunk, it's only the first whilst on duty. She has been drinking ever since Christmas to punish herself for being stupid. Don't tell me how backward that is, I'm well aware" he explained. "I'm practically quoting from her drunken monologues, only leaving out the curses and slurs."
Hermione growled in frustration. "She doesn't need to punish herself. She doesn't need to do anything. I was wrong, Tonks is fine the way she is."
"You've changed your tune" Lupin said curiously.
"When you look at her true form and her preferred form, which one do you consider to be Tonks?" Hermione asked him this time.
"I haven't even seen her true form, only you've been witness to it besides her parents" Lupin answered.
"If you had, would you think or feel any differently?" Hermione continued her line of questioning.
"As long as her personality and soul is in tact, I wouldn't be affected in the slightest"
"That's what I thought, but I was wrong. I wouldn't have tried to pressure her so much if I didn't feel or think any differently. I overreacted and made a humiliating experience into a problem" Hermione explained.
"It's been a problem long before you came along, before even I knew of it" Lupin replied plainly.
"I just want her to be happy with herself Lupin. I don't care what version of Tonks she is, I want her to be happy" Hermione didn't even realise she was crying until the coolness touched her cheeks.
Lupin stood there a moment unmoving, then he reached forward and sweeped the young girl into a hug. He held her as she let it all out, his smiling eyes on Tonks. He could see something building between these two, perhaps it already was built but they hadn't recognised it yet. After a disastrous storm of a new year, there might be a silver lining for Tonks.
2.
Tonks guzzled down her breakfast gratefully, everything that would settle her stomach was accepted with open mouth. The cook of the breakfast being Molly Weasley was a luxury.
Tonks was chewing lavishly on a hash brown when Molly Weasley came in with a mug in hand "your coffee Tonks dear".
Tonks put down her knife and fork to reach the mug "Molly, you are a saint."
"It's no problem dear. Is the breakfast okay?"
"It's delicious Molly, I can't thank you enough for everything. I'm so sorry about last night, I swear it'll never happen again."
"Oh Tonks, I accept your apology. It was a wild night for a lot of people, I've got three sons upstairs with hangovers. It happens even to the best at times" Molly reassured her.
"All the same, I should've been more professional"
As Tonks drank a sip of coffee Molly attempted to takeaway her empty plate. Swallowing the coffee, Tonks insisted "no Molly, I can wash this up, it's the least I could do."
"Nonsense. I'm just about to start cleaning up from last night so I might as well take this. You just rest a little longer and enjoy your coffee."
Molly retrieved the plate and left again. Tonks held her mug and cherished it's warmth. Her eyes fluttered shut ar the smell seeping up her nose. With her eyes still closed she took a large gulp, and at the same time a nervous voice spoke up from the door. "Good morning".
Tonks, upon recognising the voice, did two very different things with the mouthful of coffee. Half of it spewed back out and stained her work clothes, the hot liquid nearly scalding her skin through the material. The other half flowed down her air hole, scalding her trachea and sending her into a spluttering cough.
Hermione immediately rushed to assist her; transfiguring a cloth and casting "Anapneo".
Tonks cough subsided but her voice still croaked as she greeted Hermione back. "Wotcher."
Hermione had a worried expression before, but her attempt at light-hearted interaction put her at ease. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Besides from the monstrous hangover, the stained clothes and burnt throat...I'm doing fine" Tonks answered.
Hermione shook her head "what on earth were you playing at?"
Tonks just stared at Hermione. Hermione gulped, then realised how close they were and she pulled away. But not too far.
"Lupin says you might lose your job"
Tonks sighed. "Always the bearer of bad news."
"I'm sure he'll speak up in your defence, even if it doesn't change anything" Hermione tells her.
Tonks was thinking hard and finally revealed "maybe it's a blessing in disguise. I'm not much use to them being unreliable and foolish."
Hermione ducked her head and turned away, her body facing forward "He also told me that you've been getting drunk regularly since I last spoke to you."
Tonks measured Hermione up and down, trying to figure out her feelings through what she could see from her body language. "Did he tell you why?"
Hermione just nodded.
Then Tonks laughed "and this is your reaction. I thought you'd be over the moon that you put me right...well not right but...you know what I me-"
"Contrary to what you think, I don't believe reckless alcohol abuse is AT ALL a correct way to 'put you right'!" Hermione snapped at her. "Furthermore I'm not happy at all that you're making light of this! Especially when I'm sitting here believing I've made your life misery."
Tonks chose confused over retaliation "Are you sure you spoke to Remus?"
"Yes! I sat here for hours listening to him tell me how you've never appreciated who you are, unless you're looking like you do now! He told me you had this revelation from the photo I gave you! It made you think you were stupid so you drunk yourself silly to punish yourself! And to top it off, you are doing all this crap for nothing because I was wrong!"
"What?" Tonks spluttered.
"I was wrong Tonks. I thought you were ignoring me because you didn't want to let me in. You didn't want someone to trick you into changing and destroying your life. What I didn't see was that you didn't want to change because you didn't want others to change. You said it yourself, 'this is the Tonks you want to be'. It's the Tonks I know, the Tonks I'm friends with, why does it matter in the end. And above all, you're happy like this, and I'd much rather you be happy then like last night, or a week ago."
Tonks pinched herself, but alas she really was awake. She sat up properly on the sofa so she was sitting directly beside Hermione. The brunette had looked away again but Tonks lifted her chin and guided her head round to hers.
Then with a wave her glamour charm was removed, her birthmark etched onto her cheek as Hermione remembered it. This was all accompanied with an entire body transformation into her natural form.
Tonks, still holding Hermione's chin, asked her "which one do you prefer?"
Hermione stared at her blankly, not knowing what to do or say. Was Tonks seriously asking this? Tonks must've missed her point completely, it was whatever Tonks felt was best, Hermione didn't come into the equation in her book. But Tonks sat there waiting for an answer.
"I am not going to choose what you should look like Tonks" Hermione said.
"You just said it didn't matter. So choose" the now blonde haired girl told her.
"It's not my body."
"You told me that you chose to have your teeth shortened, you regretted it. You said other people saw you regardless of the teeth, and that you can shine brightly for those people. Did you not say that?"
"Yes, but-"
"How do you see me?" Tonks interrupted. "Like this..."
Tonks morphed again and she was the usual Tonks again "...or this?"
Hermione huffed "people saw me for who I was"
"What am I?" Tonks shrugged back.
"You're not getting it-"
"No, you're not getting it. All I've ever wanted is for people to notice me. And call it shallow if you like, but I don't care who I have to be to get noticed. Not anymore. So which version do you notice Hermione?"
Hermione softly answered "I notice you Tonks, no matter who you are."
Tonks smiled and finally released her. "Then it's me you're going to get. But only when we're alone, I don't want everyone to know quite yet."
Hermione smiled back "It'll be just us, I swear."
AN.
Things to note:
Music wiz's will gun me down if I don't point out that Steps released '5,6,7,8' in 1998, not 96 when this story is set.
Hermione is bisexual, she just doesn't properly understand that yet. That's why she can comfortably kiss Ron one minute and cluelessly long after Tonks the next.
I might not have Remus side plot in mind anymore, but he is definitely a strong side character.
This IS canon compliant, the only difference is Sirius. Harry and the gang get coaxed to the Department of Mysteries via a vision of Voldemort overthrowing the Ministry.
That's all for now.