here's the next chapter! i hope you like. alot happens, and there's some meaningless banter, but i jsut had to add thsoe Sirius moments, becasue he's so much fun to write. sorry i didn't get this up yesterday, but i needed to finish it. i need some help thinking about what should come next. i'm thinking a gaurd duty with remus and tonks. i don't want them to get romantic quite yet (but it will happen soon!) anyway, anout A/N. onward (one more thing...notice the increase in length...)
disclaimer: still not mine. i don't think 2 days did much...but maybe when JKR dies, she'll leave the epic to me in her will....in my dreams. oh well, this will have to suffice.
Tonks was sitting in her cubicle, not really getting any work done. It was just after lunch, and she was very nervous for her meeting with Remus. She was also exhausted after staying up most of the night pondering his story.
"Nymphadora," Moody tore her from her reverie. "What are you doing?"
"What? Oh, I'm, um…" she trailed off.
"That's what I thought. Not doing work, eh? Well, get on it. I want all these done before you leave. And if that means you stay late, so be it. Oh, and while I have your divided attention, how did the meeting go yesterday?"
"Fine. I have to see him at 5:30. He's taking me--"
"I know where he's taking you, so get a move on, and finish that," Moody growled.
"Wait, how do you know?" She said, her eyes narrowing.
"I'm glad you're feeling better about werewolves. Now, I have a lot of work. See you later Nymphadora."
"Don't call me that!"
She turned to her work, determined to finish it before she had to meet Remus.
***
"So, Moony, how'd it go?" Sirius asked.
"It went fine. I told her my story, she looked like she was going to cry, she told me that she was going to be my friend, and we're meeting at my flat--"
"Ooh, is Moony going to get some?" Sirius interrupted.
"Stop being so immature, Padfoot. No, I'm bringing her here so she can meet the Order." Sirius looked disappointed.
"So what did you think of her?"
"Excuse me?" Remus looked incredulous.
"You heard me. What did you think of her?"
"Well, she's very nice, she's sympathetic, and by the end, she seemed to not care that I was what I am."
"Uh huh, anything else that you're not telling me, Moony?"
"In your dreams Padfoot. No, there is nothing else. Oh, and prepare yourself. I told her you were innocent, but being an auror ad all, I think it will come as a shock to her that you aren't in Azkaban. She might try and hex you or something, just so you know."
"Thanks, Moony. Hey, when are you supposed to meet her?"
"5:30, why?"
"Well, it's kinda 5:30 now."
"What?! Why didn't you tell me?!" Remus jumped from his chair, rushing to gather his things.
"Calm down Moony. One, Tonks is far from punctual, and two, leave your stuff here. You'll be back in a few minutes, right?"
"Oh, you're right. See you soon Padfoot. Floo Mrs. Weasley and tell her to come with the gang to make food. Order meeting's at 6. We'll want snacks."
"Sure, sure."
Remus turned on his heel and headed for the door.
***
Tonks apparated to a worn down street, with graffiti all over the walls and over flowing dumpsters on the streets. Something ran past her, whether it was a rat or a cat, she couldn't tell. She looked around, wondering where Remus was. He did say 5:30, right? I'm not just making that up. I have the right day. No, you're just being paranoid. He'll be here. She thought anxiously.
"Nymphadora, I'm so glad you came. Sorry I'm late. Sirius was making fun of me." Remus said, just as he appeared before her.
"No, it's fine. Sirius? You mean Sirius Black?! You know where he is? Why don't you turn him into the ministry?!"
"Tonks, he's innocent remember?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot." She blushed. "Regardless, I told you I'd be here, so I am. But one question, why here? It's a little creepy." She said, looking over her shoulder, expecting a Death Eater to emerge.
He looked embarrassed. "Oh, um, this is my house. Or more like apartment. Sorry, it's a little run down. I can't afford much more."
"Oh," she blushed. "Don't apologize. But let me out of the dark. I want some answers. What's this Or--?"
"Shh, not here. Wait 'till we're at headquarters. It's safe there."
"Where's headquarters?" She asked. He didn't answer her; he simple held out his hand in a silent offering for a Side-Along Apparition. Tonks obligingly took it, and they were surrounded by blackness. The duo emerged in a square of buildings that were much nicer than those of Wimpleton St.
"Here, read this and memorize it. Give it back to me when you do." Tonks saw a familiar slanted, loopy writing that read:
The Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix can be found and number twelve Grimmauld Place.
"Is that where we are? Grimmauld place?" She asked, handing him the piece of paper. "Wait, where's number twelve? I see eleven and thirteen."
"Think about the note you just read." He said, setting the scrap of parchment on fire. When Tonks looked up, she saw a dilapidated house that said Number Twelve. "Come with me, and be very quiet."
They crept up the walk, and Lupin held his hand out to stop her. He tapped the door with his wand, and she heard many clicks; the sound of many locks turning. The door opened to reveal a dark, cold, narrow hallway.
"Where are we?" She whispered.
"Headquarters. Follow me." Remus stepped inside and Tonks followed. She was so busy looking around and taking in the new surroundings, that she didn't notice the umbrella stand that looked remarkable like a troll's leg. CRASH and Tonks was sprawled on the floor.
Then many things happened at the same time. Remus spun around to help Tonks up; Mrs. Weasley came running out of the kitchen with her wand raised, yelling something about hexing unwanted people; a large number of redheaded teenagers came thundering down the stairs to see what the commotion was; but worst of all was the screeching that could be heard on top of everything.
"SCUM! CREATURES OF FILTH! BEFOULING THE HOUSE OF MY ANCESTORS! DIRTYING IT WITH WEREWOLVES, FREAKS, AND BLOOD TRAITORS! AND YOUUUU!!! YOU TRAITOR! HOW DARE YOU LEAVE THE NOBLE AND MOST ANCIENT HOUSE OF BLACK?"
"SHUT UPYOU OLD HAG!" Sirius Black screamed as he tried to force the curtains closed. As soon as Remus saw Tonks was back on her feet, he went to help Sirius. They finally managed to close the moth-eaten curtains, and all was quiet.
"Sorry, I didn't know that would happen." Tonks said, but it came out as more of a squeak.
"Hi Tonks!" Sirius said brightly. "It's ok, she does that a lot. We try to keep the noise down, for that reason." Tonks looked around to see who was talking to her. Suddenly she recognized him
"SIRIUS BLACK! Remus said you were innocent! But you're here! You're supposed to be in Stockholm! You're in London! Not 10 minutes from the Ministry! How?"
"Aww, come on Tonksie, calm down." He said, clearly unfazed by her outburst.
"What did you call me?" She said looking at him menacingly.
"Oh, whoops, that's your mom's nickname. Hi Tonks, it's me! You're cousin! Oh it's good to see you again!" He said, enveloping her in a hug. She stood stiffly, still trying to get used to the fact that Sirius wasn't in Stockholm, and that he was hugging her.
"Tonks, dearie, are you hungry? Do you want food? Let's come to the kitchen and fill Tonks in. Children, the drama is over, upstairs all of you."
There was a fair amount of grumbling as all the Weasleys traipsed back upstairs. Mrs. Weasley led the way to a considerably brighter and warmer room.
"Alright," Lupin began, looking much more business-y than Tonks had ever seen him. "The meeting is starting in 20 minutes. We need to give Tonks a short briefing before we start. Who wants to do it?" He looked around.
"Erm, Remus, can we do it sort of like a question/answer thing?" She asked tentatively.
"What? Oh, sure. Ok, shoot."
"So, what is this?" She asked the question that had been circling her head since yesterday.
"This is a secret organization that Dumbledore founded back in the first war. We were the only ones who were willing and ready to fight against You-Know-Who." It was Arthur Weasley who answered her. "Once You-Know-Who came back to power, Dumbledore contacted us to tell us that we were reforming. We needed new blood, as most of the people on our side were killed off in the first war."
"Ok, but why me? I just started as an auror. I'm not that high up, and I work for the ministry for crying out loud."
"We chose you, because," Lupin began. She turned to look at him. "Since you aren't so far up on the chain of command, you can observe, and do the work you would do for us without being suspicious. And I know you work for the Ministry, but we are concerned that the Ministry is being infiltrated. There are Death Eaters working there, too. And just like them, though I don't like to compare myself to those foul people, have infiltrated. We have Order members all through the Ministry. And that's why we want you. You are an auror, and you aren't very high, so you're inconspicuous."
"Sounds, fair. So, you said that you have infiltrated. Who's in the Order?"
"Well, you know some of them, and you'll meet them all soon. But we have Kingsley--"
"Wait…Kingsley is in charge of finding Sirius, but Kingsley knows where he is?"
"That's right. Kingsley has been feeding the Ministry false information, and leading them on wild goose chases." Lupin said.
"Pretty useful. Sometimes Kingsley asks me where I want to me 'spotted'. Usually I'll say some dismal place out in nowhere, or somewhere where I really want to go." Sirius put in. Tonks started laughing.
"That's so funny. But who else is?"
"Moody, Emmeline Vance, Elphias Doge, Deddalus Diggle, Molly, Arthur, Charlie and Bill McGonagall, Mundungus Fletcher, and many more people that you'll meet soon enough. Oh, and Snape too." Lupin continued calmly.
"SNAPE?!" Tonks cried.
"Yeah, I was just as surprised coz." Sirius said, smirking.
There was a commotion in the hall. Tonks could hear a lot of people, all attempting to be quiet. Apparently they all know about Mrs. Black she thought to herself. Suddenly, a huge amount of wizards appeared in the kitchen.
Tonks leaned over to Remus and whispered in his ear, "I didn't know there were this many people."
"Yes, it can be a little overwhelming, don't you think?" he whispered back. Tonks nodded, looking at the gathering of wizards. They all seemed to be having deep conversations.
"Good evening," said a calm voice. Tonks realized that it was Dumbledore. She sat up straighter in her chair. "I'm glad we could all make it. Tonight we have a new member; I'd like to introduce Nymphadora Tonks. She is an auror, and we are pleased to have her with us."
"She doesn't complain when Dumbledore calls her Nymphadora." Tonks heard Moody mumble. She couldn't help but giggle.
"Thanks, Professor. I'm really glad to be here. Though I still have some speculations, I'm sure that everything will become clear soon." She said.
"Right you are, Nymphadora." Tonks winced, but decided not to mention it until after the meeting. "I now call this meeting to order. Professor Snape, would you be so kind to begin your report?"
"Yes, sir," he began greasily. "We all, well, most of us, know what the Dark Lord wants. I have found in my recent encounters, that..." Tonks listened closely to Snape's report, but only because she wanted to live up to the Order. On the contrary, she found it quite boring. "And, so we must remember that this is our most important task, and we cannot let it fall into the wrong hands." Snape concluded.
"May I add one thing Dumbledore?" Moody asked.
"Of course."
"Remember everyone, constant vigilance."
Tonks rolled her eyes, and Remus smirked. Moody wouldn't let them forget.
"Thank you Severus and Alaster. Now, Molly, if you would be so kind as to make us some dinner? I'm sure that there are some hungry teenagers waiting for food."
"What? Oh yes, of course Albus. Will you be joining us?"
"My regrets Molly, but I have other duties to which I must attend. Farewell, all." Dumbledore said, his midnight blue robes swishing as he turned to leave.
"Professor!" Tonks called.
"Nymphadora, you are an auror and no longer a student; you need not call me Professor. You may call me Dumbledore." He turned to look at her.
"Yes, Profess—Dumbledore, sorry, old habits die hard. But I would like to ask you something. If I call you Dumbledore, will you call me Tonks? I despise the name Nymphadora."
"Excuse me Nymph—Tonks, I had no idea. Yes, I will."
"Thank you Dumbledore."
"Now, I really must be off. See you soon."
"Yes Sir and he walked out the door. Tonks was left along in the hallway.
"So, how'd you like your first meeting?" a small voice came from behind her. She spun quickly, losing her balance. She fell into the arms of none other than Remus.
"What? Oh, I loved it. Snape was a little dull, but it's Snape. Are you staying for dinner?"
"Yes, are you?" He asked.
"Yup. But I saw the looks my cousin as giving you. I think we'd better go back before he gets the wrong idea.
Remus laughed. Wow, I like that sound. He has very nice eyes. She was startled by what just went through her head.
"You're quite right Nymphadora."
"Remus, how many times must I tell you? It's Tonks."
"All right then Tonks, let us go back and enjoy some of Molly's cooking. I'm sure it will be the best food you've eaten since Hogwarts."
"Lead the way," she said, smiling. This is new, I'm with a werewolf, but I'm not having the slightest qualms.
When they appeared in the kitchen, Tonks noticed Sirius eyeing them suspiciously, and she looked over at Remus, who was glaring at him. She laughed to herself, and went over to see if Molly needed any help.
***
"Moony, I saw you leave to go follow after my cousin. Spill, please. It's clear that you're in love with her."
"Excuse me, Padfoot, but I am not in love with Nymphadora."
Sirius snorted. "You called her Nymphadora!"
"Yes, do you have a problem? I happen to think it's much prettier than Tonks."
"Tell her that,"
"Believe me Padfoot, I've tried. Please stop harassing me. I don't like her. I mean, I like, just not in the way you think. I have no sexual attractions to her."
"Oh quit being so proper. You know you want to get with her."
"Padfoot, stop being ridiculous. I'm a werewolf if you haven't forgotten. I'm too old and too dangerous for her. It would never work, so don't even try."
"But by saying that you aren't denying that you have feelings." Remus's response was cut off by an almighty CRASH!
"Tonks" Mrs. Weasley cried. Tonks had managed to trip and knock over the chopping board with all the vegetables that were to go into the soup.
"I'm sorry Molly, I didn't mean to!" Tonks cried horrorstruck by what she had done.
"Oh, it's alright, but why don't you go over there, and sit with Sirius and Remus. Dinner will be ready shortly. Oh wait, better yet, why don't you go get the kids from upstairs."
"Sure Molly. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Tonks said, walking out of the kitchen, walking into the door frame as she went.
Sirius was rolling around on the floor laughing, while Remus was struck by the strangest feeling. I hope she's ok. What is Padfoot talking about; I don't have feelings for this girl. But she is very pretty. Wait, her hair was a different color yesterday. Huh, maybe she dyes it. I'll ask her about it when she comes back. Nymphadora. I like how it rolls off my tongue. Oh god, is Padfoot right? Do I have feelings for Nymphadora? Oh god oh god. This can't be happening.
"Remus, would you set the table?"
"What Molly? Sorry, I missed that."
"Set the table."
"Oh sure." Remus went to go help Molly, and all the while, looking at the door, waiting for Tonks to re-emerge.
so that's it. the whole thing at the end after dumbledore leaves is just for some character development. i wanted remus and sirius to have another conversation about her, and i wanted to see more of tonks' inability to stand upright for an extended amount of time (aka her klutzy-ness). so review, and leave ideas for what should happen next! thanks for reading! REVIEW! (i don't know why people think the button is purple...it's clrealy green....) ~mangotango101