Chapter 5: The Order of Phoenix
Tonks yawned widely.
She staggered out of her flat, flicking her wand absently to lock the door. She stumbled downstairs to get to the alley she normally used for apparition.
"Bloody hell…" She cursed as her body shivered as the cold morning air chilled her tired bones. Tonks sniffed as her nose started to water. Being scared awake by Mad-Eye's patronus had definitely not been the best way to be woken and that didn't put her in the best mood either.
She glanced around to check if the alley is empty and if there were any muggles around before Tonks apparated with a 'crack', the sound piercing the quiet Saturday morning.
Tonks found herself all in one piece and standing just a distance from Mad-Eye's familiar old house. Yup, the paint's still faded…She sighed, already giving up on trying to convince the owner of this poor house to give it a slight makeover. Its gloomy faded paint affected her mood every time she came here. She idly morphed her hair purple, wearing it just touching her shoulder.
She raised her hand to knock on the door but it flung open quickly before her hand even touched the wood. Tonks registered Mad-Eye's presence at the door before opening her mouth to greet him but instead, a long yawn escaped her.
"Mor-morning Mad-Eye," Tonks rubbed the water from her eyes, ignoring Mad-Eye's magical eye as it swirled sickeningly in its socket, surveying her, "Don't worry, I'm the real deal. Constant Vigilance." She added as she slid pass him and with her eyes half closed, sat down on the couch.
"I guessed as much," He said as he closed the door and locked it, "No death eater could pull off that yawn."
Tonks scowled, "It's Saturday." She leaned back, sighing as her frame practically sank smugly into the soft couch, "Just what is it about?"
"You're aware of the return of Voldemort?" Mad-Eye started casually, missing her cringe as he turned to get her a cup of tea. Tact had never been Moody's strongest point but she'd admit; she did take after Mad-Eye in that aspect after spending 2 years in his influence.
Tonks didn't reply, assuming it was rhetorical. She'd already told him she knew when she visited him last week, "And I'm sure you heard of the Order of The Phoenix?" He continued.
"The one you mentioned to me, set up during the first war?" Tonks reached for a cup of steaming tea and sipped at it. She ignored his grunt of disapproval as she didn't check its content with her wand, "Yeah, I remember. Why?"
Then there was a loud crack. Both mentor and mentee jolted up, tensed with their wands drawn and pointed to the door.
"Are we expecting someone else?" Tonks turned to her mentor, puzzled.
He nodded.
"It's me, Albus Dumbledore-" Tonks gasped, her eyes bulging, "here to attend our arranged talk with Nymphadora."
Tonks gagged at her name but sat back down to sip at her tea, although her wand remained ready in her hand, while Mad-Eye approached the door and opened it.
"Ah, Nymphadora, good to see you again," The headmaster of Hogwarts walked into the house, dark green robes clinging onto his seemingly thinner body.
"Tonks," She hurriedly corrected, "and nice to see you too sir," Tonks forced a smile, unable to get over the uneasiness settling in her stomach with the presence of Albus Dumbledore. After all, he was not a man who came for trivial matters. She kept her eyes fixed on him as the headmaster found himself a seat and sank into the couch without hesitation. She mildly registered Mad-Eye, who made himself comfortable on a stiff stool at the table.
"I apologise to have called you here on such a beautiful Saturday morning," Dumbledore started and Tonks nodded, her face not revealing a tinge of the anger she actually felt, "But I call you here today to extend an invitation to you,"
Tonks frowned, "Don't mind me asking but what this is about?" Her mind wandered to any illegal cooperation that her formal headmaster might be involved in.
Dumbledore cleared his throat at the interruption but continued, "I'm sure you are aware of Voldemort's return, judging from the account which Minerva provided about your visit last week…"
She nodded, holding her tongue with whatever questions she had.
"In response to that, we're of course reviving the Order of Phoenix." Dumbledore paused to let it seep in. Tonks nodded, her throat constricting in anticipation for that very question, "So the question is, will you join us in-"
"Yes," Tonks answered, apparently too quickly. She glanced sideways to see the side of Mad-Eye's scarred face, his lips twitching in a smile or was it a frown? Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in amusement behind his half-moon spectacles, "Of course I will join!"
"Enthusiasm has been your strong suits," Dumbledore smiled, the amusement never leaving his eyes. Tonks flushed, morphing it away quickly, "And I see your metamorphagus abilities have improved."
"Yes sir." She looked down, embarrassed, lacking of something better to say.
"I wouldn't expect anything less of you. Since you agreed to join the Order, you should be informed that we have a meeting this afternoon, Alastor will direct you to the location and I'm fairly sure," He paused, leaning forward an inch, "there'll be someone you can't wait to meet."
Tonks frowned in confusion as Dumbledore smiled again before straightening up, "Alright then, I better be going. Thank you for the tea Alastor," He turned to Mad-Eye, "This went better than I thought it would, and quicker." He looked towards her.
Tonks flushed again, not bothering to morph it aware but hoping to conceal it by sipping at her tea.
"Well, I'll see you both, at the meeting later. I'll be running late so Alastor, feel free to start the meeting without me," He smiled, walking to the door. She sat there as Mad-Eye stood to lock the door after Dumbledore. Then he turned on her.
"You think this is a game?" Mad-Eye's deafening bark startled her. It took all the balance and control, which Tonks have limited supply of, to make sure the steaming cup of tea didn't spill on her lap, "Joining the Order is not just a simple 'yes' or 'no'! There are consequences! It'll be dangerous-"
"Mad-Eye!" Tonks exclaimed, exasperated, "I know what I'm doing!"
"Of course," Moody's roar turned into a mutter as he clonked towards his couch, "Nymphadora is now experienced enough to know. Overestimating yourself again?" He demanded.
"I'm not! I just want to help!" Tonks jumped up, her face flushed with anger, "I'm sure you didn't equip me with skills just for me to work under the nose of the ministry did you?" Mad-Eye turned and their eyes met, both of them glaring at the other.
Tonks thought she saw something flash in his eye before he looked away, his magical eye spinning.
"You were being reckless." He told her, his tone less harsh and the volume lowered.
"I know what I'm doing." She scowled, sinking back into the couch, feeling the rare guilt seeping in at her insolence towards someone who had taught her so much these few years, "Don't you worry…" she muttered, looking down at her tea.
Tonks wasn't sure if he heard but he was quiet.
"So, who is in the Order?" Tonks asked a little more cheerily, attempting to get rid of the tense atmosphere. Mad-Eye seemed to be ignoring her. She glanced at him, looking away with a huff. The next few minutes was passed in awkward silence as Tonks stole glances at Mad-Eye, who was indifferent with her presence.
"Molly and Arthur Weasley, Bill Weasley, Shacklebolt, Remus Lupin, Minerva, Snape," Mad-Eye spoke all of a sudden, breaking the ice, "those would be the one you know…"
"Snape?" Tonks frowned, still cautious.
Mad-Eye grunted, "Dumbledore announced that a few days ago." Tonks recognize the disapproval with that tone but didn't point that out.
Tonks nodded and remained silent; wary with her next course of action.
"What is it lass? Did the reality of the situation scare your voice away?" Mad-Eye said gruffly.
She scowled, "No, I just…" Tonks hesitated, "Don't want you go off screaming again…"
"You weren't quiet yourself." He pointed out, "you never were," Mad-Eye muttered. Tonks rolled her eyes.
"Mad-Eye, really, I'll be fine." Tonks looked up from her tea, "I may be inexperience," Her face puckered at that word, "but the Order is the best place for me improve, and I know Constant vigilance."
"You'd better; another death in the Order isn't what we need at this point."
"Thanks for the faith," Tonks grinned cheekily, "So how often do we have these meetings? And what exactly do we do?"
"We'll be normally running patrols at where Death Eaters would most probably sighted or providing extra protection for Voldemort's targets-"
"There's just one, Harry Potter." Tonks blurted.
Mad-Eye growled at the interruption and when he was sure she was good again, he continued, "and at every meeting, we'll report findings. Normally, that's just for Snape."
"What does he do?" Tonks muttered grudgingly.
"He works as an inside spy for the Order," Mad-Eye replied, his tone thick with disapproval, "But you'll know more once you've attended the meeting this afternoon..." She didn't miss the slight hitch in his voice.
"What is it? Did I miss something?" Tonks probed.
"Once you're in the Order, there's no going back,"
"That…" Tonks paused, looking to the floor, "I could've guessed." She steeled her stare, feeling her natural inbuilt loyalty fuel her courage.
She spent the afternoon in Mad-Eye's old house, laying her hands on the interesting antiques he have, to which he disapproves but to no avail of stopping her. Tonks fired questions once in a while when it comes to her mind but for most of the time, her heart palpitated in anticipation for the meeting in the afternoon. Finally, she'd get to use her skills for something real and not sit around to get belittled by Senior Aurors.
When she got bored and still had too much energy, Tonks amused herself with disturbing her mentor with her quirks around a house as she made herself comfortable.
She laughed quietly at Moody's enthusiasm of getting to the meeting early, looking very much disturbed with Tonks's attempts at unsettling him.
"Sidelong?" Tonks requested hopefully, more to annoy him than having the need for it.
"You don't know where to apparate to anyway," He grumbled, holding out the crook of his arm to her. Tonks rolled her eyes and took his arm. Instantly, she felt the familiar sensation of being squeezed, except this time with another being.
In the split of a second, Tonks found herself in an alley. She rolled her eyes, another alley…she sighed inwardly. Despite knowing the necessity of it, she couldn't help but hate the fact that they—the wizards and witches—always have to hide like they were some criminal.
Tonks followed Mad-Eye out of the alley. Without a second glance, Mad-Eye took a left and approached a gate, pushing it open without bothering with the lock. She glanced from side to side nervously. Everyone on this street seemed to be keeping their heads down, above, the sun fail to shine through the heavy clouds.
She turned her attention back to the front as Mad-Eye paused in front of a tall black row of houses. Tonks frowned; somehow…this is all very familiar…
Tonks watched as Mad-Eye told her the location. It was an eye-opener but definitely not surprising when she saw an extra house materialize in between two houses. Number 12 Grimmauld Place… Of course they couldn't have left their headquarters unprotected. Using the Fidelius Charm seemed the best option to Tonks.
She trailed behind Moody as he stepped up the steps and entered without knocking. He led her in and the door creaked shut behind them.
The dark eerie corridor sent shivers running down her tired spine. Her eyes took in the details, still frowning in an attempt to recall why this place was familiar. Her fingers twitched nervously to her wand as her feet kept up with the hasty pace Mad-Eye was taking despite his 'disability'.
The dusty walls were decorated with beheaded house elves heads. Tonks looked away, pushing down the tea and the biscuits she took at Mad-Eye's house. They approached black door at the end of the corridor and Tonks couldn't help but glance down at her dressing.
She'd dressed half asleep this morning but she was quite proud of herself. Her black robes effectively did the job of keeping her warm. Underneath it, she wore a thick cotton maroon jacket unzipped, which she could've sworn she'd slept in but remembered changing out of. Her legs were kept warm with her denim black pants which her boots were pulled over on. Tonks took a glimpse of her hair, satisfied that it was still in its purple colour which she remembered morphing it into.
Tonks hurriedly looked up, her fingers still yearning for the comfortable feel of her wand, as Mad-Eye pushed open the door. He clonked into the room, not even pausing at the door to introduce her to the occupants of the room. Tonks shuffled after him, taking a short glimpse of the table and some chairs before she felt her toe hook on something.
She choked on a half cry as her body lurched forward. Having plenty of experience with this, Tonks pulled her other leg forward, steadying herself just in time before she fell. However, the thing which was responsible for her fall wasn't so lucky. The troll leg umbrella stand toppled over, taking it's occupants with it and fell into a heap on the floor with a loud crash.
Tonks cringed at the noise.
But what came after proved worse.
"FREAK-"
"Alright mother, give it a rest!"
Tonks caught a flurry of brown as someone dashed up the steps which she had not noticed were just to her left. She cringed, her ears hurting as the woman screeched off in a string of insults of mudbloods, half breeds and abominations…
Tonks didn't really need someone to tell her she was one. Her mother being a blood traitor by getting with a muggleborn and having her; yup, it definitely made her an abomination but Tonks had never let that bother her so why should she start now?
"I'm sorry!" Tonks wailed over the screeching, her eyes looking towards the noise.
She heard some activities upstairs and soon, everything was quiet like as if she hadn't come along to disturb the peace.
Tonks morphed away her blush as she felt her blood rushing to her face in embarrassment. She got down to her knees and picked up the cursed umbrella stand.
"Sorry…" Tonks sniffed as she shuffled through the doorway which Mad-Eye had disappeared into. She refused to meet anyone's eye. Her eyes were trained so hard on the wood of the table; she didn't even know how many people were in the room.
"Holy Merlin, I swear, someday I'll get her down from there,"
The same voice, which came to her rescue from the screaming woman, said behind her. Tonks spun around, grateful to face one benefactor instead of facing a whole room of victims for her clumsiness.
"Thank-" She spun around, regaining some of her vigor as she got over her embarrassment for a moment. But she took a look at the face and got tongue-tied. Tonks could not know that face better. That handsome but now older face. His black hair was now tousled up beyond recognition of how she'd remembered it. There was also an addition of a beard and moustache. Tonks added that to her mental picture of him which was all she had of him, besides the wanted posters which she faced everyday at work.
"So, you're the newcomer whom Albus mentioned? The auror?" Tonks stared stupidly as he asked her. "If you're going to arrest me, I suggest you listen to their story of how I'm innocent?" He raised his hands up in a very patronizing manner, his eyes twinkling with that familiar amusement.
Tonks couldn't speak, she couldn't find her voice. She had so many things she wanted to tell him but now that he was here, she couldn't find it in her to speak.
"Moony, tell me if I've grown handsome," Tonks watched as he glanced behind her again, "Because she can't stop staring at me."
Tonks heard but barely acknowledge the snort from behind her.
"Sirius…" Tonks breathed, unable to say any more. But when she saw no form of recognition behind his grey eyes, her shoulders drooped and she dropped her gaze.
"Er…Mad-Eye? Your student? Did you teach her something you shouldn't? I think she's on crack…" His voice hitched before continuing, "Tonks?"
She looked up to find him scrutinizing her, his eyes widening.
"It is you!" Sirius's grey eyes lit up and Tonks got a glimpse of the same pair of eyes that had so much faith in a 4 year old when she said she wanted to be an Auror.
Tonks grinned, taking two steps forward and throwing her arms around his neck in a chokehold. She felt him wrap his arms around her waist and her feet left the ground for a moment.
"My baby cousin!" Sirius laughed.
Tonks couldn't help but felt a fat droplet of traitor tears escape her and seeped into Sirius's brown musty coat.
"Your hair!" She heard him bark a laugh again and Tonks didn't need to look to know it just changed color. After a while, when Tonks was sure she wasn't crying a river, she pulled back and Sirius held her at arms' length, his eyes narrowed as he took a good look at her, "You've grown!" He chuckled, sounding a little like he's got a screw knocked loose from exhilaration.
Tonks rolled her eyes, "Apparently," was her reply, deadpan despite her excitement.
Sirius laughed, "and got almost as good a sense of humor as your cousin."
She couldn't speak, at least not more than a few words. Tonks choked with a kaleidoscope of feelings she had.
"And stop changing your hair, showoff." Sirius muttered, his hands flying to touch her hair gently.
That was definitely something familiar, she could handle this, "I'm not doing it on purpose! It wouldn't listen to me," Tonks protested indignantly, only aware of how childish she sounded after it left her.
Sirius laughed again, "Alright, stay on pink, I like it." He grinned. Before Tonks could reply, she felt him turn her around to face the others in the room, which Tonks realized that it was a kitchen.
Sirius cleared his throat deliberately, "Hello? Attention here! Everyone, this is my baby cousin-"
"I'm not a baby," Tonks growled to which Sirius ignored and continued.
"Nymphadora-"
"Don't call me that!" She shrieked, ignoring the annoyed look Sirius threw her.
"Tonks," He finished, "I can't believe you haven't got over 'Nympha-" Tonks slapped a hand over his mouth before he can finish, her wand already in hand.
"Don't finish that," She warned. Sirius's eyes glanced over the tip of her wand before nodding solemnly. Tonks removed her hand to find his lips tightly sealed. To her surprise, she heard a few chuckles and some claps.
"Only an apprentice of Alastor Moody could effectively silence notorious Sirius Black," Tonks heard someone's velvet voice over the chuckles.
Sirius snorted towards that direction.
She turned to a man, dressed in a faded cotton cardigan and a neatly kept buttoned up shirt. Like Sirius, his eyes twinkled with amusement, leaving traces of that once lively teenager that he probably was. Tonks noticed the parallel scars which marred his face and his unkempt hair.
"Shut up Moony," Sirius growled warningly.
"Just keeping in real, Padfoot," The other man shrugged, smiling.
Sirius sighed at her, "That first name joke definitely worked better when you didn't know how to use a wand."
"Alright," Next, came an impatient voice. This was more familiar. Tonks turned to her left to see Molly Weasley pull her into a hug, "Tonks dear, how are you?" She sighed in silent relief that Molly finally got her name right before hugging back briefly.
"I'm very well Molly," Tonks smiled as she pulled back.
"Aren't we starting the meeting?" Mad-Eye grumbled, still on his feet. Tonks rolled her eyes as she slumped down into a seat beside Sirius, opposite 'Moony', which Tonks was fairly sure it was not his name.
"Dumbledore?" A witch, whom she do not recognise, spoke.
"Albus will be running late, we're told to start," Moody replied, still not taking a seat. If there was a cue, Tonks missed it. Then a short balding wizard stood up and started on his report. She listened, trying to catch up on whatever was happening. Within 5 minutes in the meeting, she already figured out that no one would bother to stop and explain anything to her so she tried to figure it out by herself.
Tonks sighed, knowing she only had herself to blame for sitting beside Sirius Black, who wouldn't stop harassing and teasing her. He was smiling most of the time, so Tonks could only conclude that he was as happy as she was to see him.
Opposite, 'Moony' seemed to realise the harassment she was suffering from, shooting her sympathetic looks. But Tonks was already used to fending for herself.
Dumbledore entered, with Severus Snape just a half a step behind the headmaster. Dumbledore gestured for Arthur, who was talking at that time, to continue as they took their seats.
Tonks noticed Snape throwing her furtive glances but she was concentrating too hard on trying to decipher the reports and defending herself from Sirius to bother about Snape.
By the end of the meeting, Tonks was sure and satisfied with the bruises which decorated Sirius's foot and shin thanks to her skillful offenses. She was pretty certain her leg wasn't doing too well but a few bruises didn't bother her after years of tripping and breaking bones. As the other members of the Order left; signifying the end of the meeting, Tonks turned to Sirius, who was discreetly nursing his shin. She winked at him with a small smile as he winced.
"Tonks, are you staying for lunch?" Molly asked from the kitchen.
"Yeah, sure," Tonks grinned, "Thanks."
"So, what's going on Cuz?" Sirius spoke, keeping up the pretense that he hadn't been 'attacking' her during the entire meeting. He nudged her in the ribs to which Tonks quickly shifted to the vacant chair to make some space between them.
"Despite the idiot you are, I missed you," Tonks scowled.
Sirius barked a laugh, grinning at her, "me too. Azkaban isn't the coziest pit to spent 12 years of your life."
Tonks nodded empathetically, shuddering as she thought back to her encounter with the dementors, "How'd you get out?"
"Since you're finally of age…" Sirius winked at her, intentionally deliberating, "I'm an animagus." He spoke, with a twinkle of pride in his eyes.
He waited for her to be impressed but Tonks snorted, "Yeah, you're trying to impress a metamorphagus, mind you."
Across the table, 'Moony' laughed quietly, receiving a dirty finger gesture from Sirius.
"Whatever," Sirius shrugged.
"But I'll assume you aren't registered so I'll pretend not to have heard that," Tonks turned away. She realized that most of the occupants in the kitchen had cleared, save Mad-Eye Moody, Arthur Weasley and Molly. She was considerably close with almost everyone else here, except for 'Moony'.
She glanced towards 'Moony'. He was reading the daily prophets, which she didn't know where he got it from since she didn't see it on him when she entered. Then a disgusting squishing noise filled the kitchen. Tonks turned in time to see Mad-Eye dug out his magical eyeball and dunking it in a cup of drinking water. She stuck out her tongue in disgust towards Moody but with his magical eye taking a dive, he didn't seem to notice.
Arthur was talking softly to Molly as she chopped some vegetables by hand.
"Molly? Do you need some help?" Tonks called.
"If you could help me wash and peel the potatoes, dear?" Molly replied as Arthur took a seat opposite Mad-Eye and started a conversation about the ministry.
"No problem," Tonks stood up, stretched her legs and walked cautiously to the kitchen. She hoped Molly wouldn't mind if Tonks did it by hand, she never did get the spells for such housework right. She washed her hands at the sink and started on the potatoes, "Hadn't the kids return from school?" Tonks asked idly.
"Oh yes, they will be back next week," Molly replied with a smile as she waved her wand to start the fires at the stove.
"Oh, okay," Tonks looked back down to her potatoes. She wanted to ask if Charlie would be back from Romania anytime soon but decided not to, in case Molly got the wrong idea again. Instead, Tonks mentally prepared to send him a mail to ask.
"Bill is home already though," Molly spoke suddenly while Tonks finished peeling the potatoes. She didn't miss the enthusiasm in that statement.
"Yeah, I know, he wrote to me about that," Tonks replied warily.
"That's great, dear; it's good you two are keeping in touch." Molly smiled in a very motherly way.
"Molly, Bill and I-" Tonks stepped back, bringing around the potatoes she already washed and skinned.
Her elbow struck the stack of plates on the counter, sending them crashing for the floor and cutting her sentence short. Tonks could sense everyone looking at her some in horror, some in amusement, and one with a sigh after witnessing all her clumsiness during Auror training. Only Arthur rose from his seat to help.
"I'm so sorry Molly!" Tonks cried, placing the potatoes on the chopping board before kneeling down to clear the mess.
"Tonks dear," Molly held her elbow, "it's alright, leave it."
Arthur pulled out his wand, starting to repair the plates.
"I'm so sorry!" Tonks repeated again as Molly waved away her apology.
"Maybe you should wait at the table with Sirius," Molly told her with a strained smile and Tonks heard Sirius's guffaws from the table. She reluctantly retreated to the table, wanting to redeem herself but knowing she'll just cause more hassle.
"Still the clumsy baby cousin I see," Sirius grinned as she slumped into a random chair gloomily.
"I was trying to help." Tonks pouted, sticking her tongue out at Sirius.
"Sometimes, it's safer if you don't."
To everyone's surprise, Mad-Eye spoke without turning to her. Only Tonks caught the double meaning -from the subject this afternoon and the current situation at hand.
"Well, sometimes safety isn't a priority when the help is needed!" Tonks snapped. Mad-Eye ignored her and the kitchen was quiet, sensing the tension between their unspoken topic of argument. Everyone could sense the shift in subject…
"Anyway Cuz, you owe me more than 20 Galleons for those plates," Sirius teased.
"Arthur fixed them," Tonks replied.
"Not all of them could be fixed, and they're antiques y'know."
Tonks glared at him.
"Padfoot, give it a rest." 'Moony' sighed from behind the Daily prophet.
"Alright, anyone but my baby Cuz, Moony," Sirius growled, staring suspiciously towards the daily prophets which blocked him from Sirius's stare, "I know what you're thinking,"
"I'm not thinking anything," 'Moony' dropped the prophets into his lap and folded it up neatly.
"I got a lot to answer to Andy…" Sirius warned.
"It won't be necessary," Tonks watched as the two of them engaged in a staring competition, Sirius with the contemplative look while 'Moony' with the absolutely bored face.
"Alright," Sirius grunted impatiently, still eyeing his friend.
"Who are you?" Tonks blurted. Both men turned to her as if she'd grown a second head before 'Moony' chuckled.
"Forgive me, I haven't introduce myself," He smiled, "I met you before…about 3 years ago."
"I don't remember…" Tonks frowned.
"You have bad memory-" Sirius teased.
"You were delirious with that cracked skull," 'Moony' interrupted Sirius, who whistled as he heard that.
"You're Lupin?" Tonks's eyes widened as her brain screamed werewolf.
"Remus Lupin," Remus reached across the table for a handshake, smiling.
Tonks shuddered and Remus instantly withdrew his hand, glancing at Mad-Eye once before placing his hands on his lap.
"I'm sorry, did I scare you?" Remus spoke, his tone sounding like he was speaking to a 5 year old.
Tonks watched Remus Lupin with a measured expression as he nonchalantly turned his attention back to the folded up daily prophet on the table.
She was vaguely aware of the tensed atmosphere that enveloped the kitchen again as she sat there staring. Even Sirius was silent with her apparent lack of warming-up to Lupin after knowing his affliction.
"I'm sorry about the cardigan." She blurted, still staring.
Remus looked back up, frowning before the folds between his brows smoothed in realization. He smiled, "Nothing I can't fix."
"I'm sorry anyway?" Tonks persisted and he nodded dismissively.
"I'm missing a story here aren't I?" Sirius looked between Tonks and Remus, his eyes narrowed again.
"Nothing that you need to know," Tonks told him hurriedly, surely not wanting her cousin to find out about her roll down the stairs, suffering a crack skull and broken bones. She glanced across Remus to see him smiling slightly.
"Sirius-ly?" Sirius grinned.
Tonks groaned, "Not that joke again…"
"Yes, I'm glad you remembered it."
"How could I forget," Tonks rolled her eyes.
Later, Molly brought the lunch to the table before leaving with Arthur to the burrow.
Tonks dug into her food, moaning as Molly Weasley's cooking amazed her once again.
"Haven't got good food nowadays?" Sirius snickered.
"I can't cook to save my life." Tonks explained between bites.
"No wonder you're not any taller," Sirius grinned, instantly pelted with a loaf of bread.
To be continued…
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Thanks to all my readers in the last chapter!
Yreva13: Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hope06: Thanks! As much as I enjoy writing Moody, he is a nasty piece of work to get right!
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