Chapter 10: 'Progress'
"First and foremost you have to learn to understand the way the Dark Lord likes things to be done," Snape's cold and deep voice had never annoyed Tonks more, "He doesn't stand for whining, he believes that his most efficient death eaters come from the ones which are most committed and loyal," Tonks looked up as he turned to face her, "Which is why your name is found on the latest and most wanted recruitment. He might've seen the loyalty you are capable of offering,"
Tonks tensed as Snape leaned down, his calculating eyes narrowing as they looked into hers. Instantly, she felt the probing in her mind. Tonks steadied her walls around her mind, fogging up whatever Snape could see on the surface.
She contemplated tearing her eyes away from him but that, Tonks knew, would just classify her as weak and cowardly in Snape's eyes.
Plucking her courage, Tonks glared back into Snape's black eyes, fighting Legilimency with Occlumency. His probing got more vicious as he failed to penetrate her shields. Mad-Eye had trained her up for this for ages when she was under him for Auror training. He'd spent a whole day probing her without so much as a few minutes rest. It wasn't easy for Tonks to master the trick of Occlumency. Her mind was moving so fast, probably why she talked more than normal, she found it difficult to clear her mind.
This time however, Tonks was sure she'd block Snape out. The veins in his temples pulsed as blood rushed to his face in the effort to penetrate her mind and in return, cold sweat broke out of Tonks's forehead.
"Enough," Mad-Eye growled by the side at the door.
Snape straightened up, "I would be prudent for you not to be here Moody, as I've mentioned earlier."
"I doubt that,"
"You would be interrupting my lessons with Nymphadora,"
"Tonks," Tonks corrected him.
"There's no one who is surer about how to teach my apprentice than me," Mad-Eye glared at him, growling matter-of-factly, both hands on his walking stick.
"Are you suggesting that you take over the lessons for Nymphadora-"
"Tonks," She hissed.
"And that you can be sure she'll know everything she needs to stay alive in the presence of the Dark lord?" Snape crossed his arms purposefully.
"It is my job to know about Dark wizards I assure you Severus," Mad-Eye glared.
Tonks watched this staring exchange nervously. As far as she knew, if a fight broke out, both of them were formidable wizards, "And you know so much about the Dark lord," Snape sneered.
"I know Nymphadora," Mad-Eye growled, his tone low and dangerous. Tonks cringed at the use of her name but decided not to interrupt for now.
Snape raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure Nymphadora here -"
"Don't call me Nymphadora!" Tonks seethed at the both of them.
"Would not appreciate being smothered. As she'd so kindly demonstrate to Black." Snape continued as if she hadn't interrupted him.
Tonks glared at him as he hit a nerve, "Shut your mouth," She'd been extremely sorry and touchy about the incident with Sirius. It was not something that she'd like to talk about and neither do Sirius. As Remus was sending her off from the library, they'd bumped into Sirius. He had sent her off too, with a warm hug and apologies in his eyes and that was about the last time they talked about it.
Both of them ignored her, glaring each other down. Tonks glimpse Snape's knuckles turning white as he clenched them into fists whilst having his arms folded. Mad-Eye's upset symptoms are beginning to show.
"As I was saying," Snape turned back to her, his eyes lingering on Mad-Eye for a moment before boring into hers, "The Dark lord would expect no less than what he wants-"
"He wouldn't believe I'd swear my fealty to him like that," Tonks interrupted, shifting in the couch.
"Yes," Snape replied, looking down at her from where he stood towering in front of her.
"And?" Tonks probed.
"The dark lord has also been known to get what he wants by force." Snape said, looking behind her at no one.
"Imperius?" Tonks raised an eyebrow in scepticism, "If he does that, what's the point of getting me to join, I wouldn't be myself anymore now would I? This is very pointless."
"If we don't prepare you, you can be assured the Dark Lord would find you and all but drag you to him if he has to," Snape sneered. Mad-Eye snorted.
Tonks nodded in helpless consent, "Okay, fine. Can we continue?"
"Yes," Snape said curtly, "It has often been the Dark Lord's pleasure to invade his victim's mind creating visions designed to torture them into madness,"
"I think he influenced his followers well…" Tonks muttered grudgingly.
"And, no doubt, he will try to penetrate yours to search for where your loyalty lies." Snape continued as if he hasn't heard her comment, "The Dark Lord is already quite certain that you are not well practiced with Occlumency as he looked into your mind to see that loyalty."
Mad-Eye snorted again while Tonks grinded her teeth in annoyance, trying to recall if she'd accidentally let slipped anything during that time.
"To truly get pass the Dark Lord's tests, you'll need practice,"
"I blocked you out." Tonks pointed out.
"He'll not be satisfied with not being able to see in your mind. You'll have to fabricate."
"Great…" Tonks rolled her eyes, "More time to bond between us." She smirked when Snape sneered at her.
"I assure you, I have had enough of teaching you Nymphadora,"
"Then the feeling would be quite mutual," Tonks's smirk got wider, "And if you use that name again, make no mistake, I'll hex you."
For the next hour, Snape looked into Tonks's eyes.
Aside from the constant blocking of his vicious probing, Tonks tried to fabricate her loyalty for him. Her knuckles turned white as she grasped the armrests of the couch in concentration.
"Stop!" Tonks gasped, tearing their eye contact, "We're taking a break," She looked up at Snape through her fringe soaked with perspiration.
Snape pursed his lips, "The Dark Lord will not be patient with you."
"Well, I can't master this in a day," Tonks panted, "If you want to keep training so be it but find someone else for that!" She snapped.
To her astonishment, Snape leaped out of his chair and practically ran to her, planting both his arms on the armrests at either sides of her and glared, "You'll find yourself at the Dark Lord's feet no more than a week so unless you want for him to question his decision to keep you alive, you'd better improve," Snape seethed
"I am working on it!" Tonks growled, her wand already clenched in her hand, "Back off," She was positive her hair and eyes just turned red as Snape glanced at her wand before he straightened up. He glared down at her.
"It's your neck," He raised his brows nonchalantly.
"Yes, it is," Tonks glared before falling back into the couch in exhaustion after Snape left the room. She rested until her breathing resumed to normal before dragging herself off the couch and out of the room. They were training in the vacant bedroom which Sirius had reluctantly let Snape train Tonks in.
She staggered wearily to the bathroom and checked her reflection in the mirror. Horrified with her pale complexion and bright red eyes and hair, Tonks morphed them away. She'd always been pale but she always preferred to add some colours to her cheeks with her metamorphagus abilities.
When her hair was bubblegum pink, her eyes back to the black (she'd never bother with her eyes much since she didn't really minded if they were black), her cheeks a little rosy, Tonks left the bathroom. Determined on getting herself some tea, Tonks headed down into the kitchen.
Sirius was there, clutching a bottle of firewhiskey in his hand while glaring up at someone across the kitchen. Tonks entered to see Snape standing at the other end of the long table, holding a cup of steaming tea, returning to glare. Remus was sitting in the middle of the table with a book in front of him. His fingers were pinching the bridge of his nose while his other hand held open his book.
As soon as they noticed she was there, Sirius was the first to break the glare, "Hey Cuz!" He turned to her and greeted cheerily. Tonks narrowed her eyes, seeing his hazy eyes struggle to stay on her and she concluded; he was drunk.
"Hey," She mumbled a reply, walking to the kitchen. Tonks caught sight of Snape leaving the kitchen as she disappeared behind the counter to fetch the cup.
"How's the training?" Remus asked, dropping his hand from his face.
"Perfect," Tonks smirked, cradling her tea carefully while taking a seat near the counter.
"Snivelly giving you a hard time?" Sirius demanded.
Tonks choked, coughing violently, "Snivelly?" She laughed.
Sirius looked at her, his hazy eyes revealing the little sparkle of pride, "Yes, little greasy Snivelly."
"Sirius." Remus muttered but both of them ignored him.
"That's the best one yet!" Tonks laughed, tears filling her eyes. Sirius joined her and soon even Remus managed a small chuckle.
As the laughter fade away, Tonks sipped at her tea, feeling all relax and mellowed out.
"Really, how's the training?" Sirius probed.
"Good," Tonks shrugged, "Why?" She demanded.
Now it was Sirius's turn to shrug, "Let's just say Mad-Eye and I are on the same level here about Snivellus."
"He was never trusted was he…" Tonks muttered.
"Noooo," Sirius slurred, shaking his head, "That black tattoo he has on his inner arm didn't help." He smirked.
A breath hitched in her throat and Tonks placed the cup of tea down on the table softly. Shakily, she let go of the tea, looking up tentatively.
Sirius seemed oblivious to her reaction as he sipped his firewhiskey again, pleased with insulting Snape. Remus was looking at her, worried folds forming in between his brows.
"Excuse me," Tonks muttered before sliding out of her chair and leaving the kitchen.
"Nymphie?" She heard Sirius slurred after her but she didn't stop, heading up the stairs. Bumping into someone, Tonks whipped her wand out and thrust it forward.
Snape eyed her with a sardonic expression. Tonks seriously considered hexing him anyway but thought better of it and slipped pass him, dashing up the steps. She stumbled as her foot caught on the doorframe on her way to the couch.
Falling into it, Tonks buried her face into her hands. This was all going wrong…It was not supposed to be this way…I don't want it to go this way…I don't want to be a Death Eater!"Feeling sentimental?" She heard Snape's sneering.
With a weary sigh, Tonks looked up, glaring, "Get out."
"Emotional moments will not excuse you from death-"
"Snape,"
Both of them turned to see Remus Lupin standing at the doorway.
"I'm sure you wouldn't mind if Nymphadora misses a few minutes of her lesson right now?" Remus strolled casually into the room, his left hand in his pocket as he placed his right on her shoulder.
"It's her neck," Snape turned and walked to the window.
Remus frowned but gestured for her to get up nonetheless and they walked out of the room.
"What?" Tonks turned to him as they walked down the steps.
"Thought I'd bring you out for some summer air," Remus smiled, opening the main door for her. She forced a smile as they walked quietly to the nearby park.
"I spent my whole life thinking how I'd one day arrest Bellatrix…" Tonks started as she sat down on the bench, drooping her shoulders, "I can't believe in a few weeks time I'll be grovelling at the feet of the monster I hate most."
"It's for the order," Remus replied softly.
Tonks looked at him lamely, "Please," She scoffed bitterly. Tonks didn't miss it as Remus cringe, probably sensing how much of a Black I am…"we all know it's to save my neck," she gritted her teeth in anger, "I'm only doing this because no one believes I'll be safe with…you-know-who trying to kidnap me." She said, glancing around as a few people turned at the mention of that name.
"And to infiltrate-"
"We both know it's a hoax…" Tonks interrupted, muttering, "Just because I'm the youngest everyone thinks I'm the weakest…"
"No one is thinking that," Remus sighed.
"Dumbledore thinks so," Tonks countered.
"We'll have to trust him," He replied simply.
"I hate Bellatrix," Tonks seethed, "I hate Dark arts,"
"Tonks…" Remus placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I don't want to be them," She turned to him, her voice reducing to a whisper.
"You wouldn't," He whispered, his tone almost reducing to cooing her, "you could very well be important to the Order because of that."
Tonks chuckled bitterly and looked away, "If things go well…"
"I know you can pull it off,"
She felt his fingers kneaded her tense shoulder gently, relaxing it instantly.
"You just have to be careful," Remus continued, "be very careful," His voice was soft and thick with emotion.
Tonks looked up to meet his eyes, "You care about me," She murmured, more of in confusion than in realization.
He froze, his eyes steeling again as he tore his hand away from her shoulder and looked away. She could've sworn she heard him mutter something akin to 'who wouldn't…'
"I'm just another stupid, clumsy and overconfident member of the order but-," Tonks smiled grimly.
"No, you're not," Remus turned to her in objection, "you're not stupid…well, maybe a little of the other two but…" His voice trailed off.
"Mad-Eye thinks so too," She laughed, feeling the troubles leave her for a moment. Remus smiled as she laughed. He always does that…
"So you just have to be careful," He said smiling.
"I care about you too," Grinning, Tonks placed her hand on his shoulder. She felt him froze again under his touch but then a smile broke to the surface.
"Thanks,"
During the time of her training, Dumbledore had suggested Tonks took lodging in Grimmauld Place so that she could practice whenever she needed to with Snape during her off-work hours.
Sirius had been incredibly grumpy about Snape's constant appearance at Headquarters and Remus's indifference about that only fuelled Sirius's annoyance.
Tonks's life on the other hand, for the past 3 days have been pretty mechanical. She wakes up in the morning for work; having the best breakfast, she'd had since she left her mother's, from Remus whom she was convinced made the best bacons in Britain. After work, she'd return to find Snape already in her temporary bedroom and ready to infiltrate her mind. When it was done, she'd stagger downstairs for dinner with Molly cooking for everyone. Snape may or may not join them, depending on if Tonks pissed him off during lesson.
Then she'd spend some time talking to Charlie and then off for more lessons till bedtime. Tonks was rapidly getting sick of it.
However, tonight proved more interesting.
They were scheduled to retrieve Harry Potter from Little Whinging after the alarming news of him being attacked by dementors on Mundungus's watch came to them yesterday.
After biting his head off, Tonks's suggested the use of the brooms since Mad-Eye had insisted on not having portkeys, apparition or floo. McGonagall, who was leading the meeting since Dumbledore couldn't make it, was sceptical but on Kingsley's assurance, she agreed. Then they went on to plot to get the Dursleys out of there which was another brilliant idea from her out of pure playfulness on her part, to get the Dursleys out. In the end, she was put in charge to informing them of some competition she'd made up.
Now, Tonks found herself standing outside Grimmauld Place and waiting for set off. Her broom twitched in her hand, seemingly as excited to take off as she was. Remus, Emmeline, Mad-Eye, Kingsley, Dedalus, Hestia and Elphias seemed to be coming along.
She tapped her toe impatiently as Mad-Eye and Kingsley left Grimmauld Place. "Can't wait to get Harry? Or to fly?" She turned upon hearing Remus's voice.
He was looking at her expectantly, a broom in his hands too.
"Both," She grinned, already feeling her mood becoming increasingly better when she was finally out there on a mission.
Remus broke into a smile.
"Alright, in formation!" Mad-Eye barked. Tonks rolled her eyes at the formalities before kicking off the ground on cue. She'd not flown since leaving Hogwarts.
The rush of the summer air easily brought her out of her troubles and worries. She flew, completely ignoring the formation as she did it her way. Tonks could've sworn she heard Mad-Eye shout something but it was blown away with the wind as Tonks accelerated.
She laughed in exhilaration, glancing around her at the people flying with her. Tonks caught Remus's eye. He was flying by her left; he smiled before turning to concentrate on flying.
He looked like he was having a good time too but from the looks of it, Tonks could tell he was not trained to fly; so probably no Quidditch background, Tonks noted with disappointment.
Definitely one less topic to chatter about with Remus.
During her time at Grimmauld Place, it had also made her realise her fondness of having a conversation with Remus. He understood her and he is a good listener. Mostly importantly, Tonks knew he cared.
"Alright, we're almost there to land!" Mad-Eye shouted over the wind and Tonks tilted in for the descend. She was the first to land, smoothly collecting the broom upright as her feet touched the ground. She waited as the rest made their landing; some did it expertly, others not so graceful.
Tonks was already bouncing by the time Mad-Eye, who was the last, touched down. She ran to the front door, after tripping over the wires surrounding their lawn and easily opening the lock at the door. She entered hastily.
Everyone jumped and hissed as her free hand hooked a plate to the ground, shattering it instantly.
"For god's sake Tonks!" Mad-Eye growled.
"Sorry…" She turned and whispered before heading for the stairs.
At the top, Harry stood with his wand drawn.
"Put that away boy, before you blast someone's eye out," Mad-Eye grunted.
"Professor Moody?" His voice, which Tonks had never heard, travelled down the stairs.
"Don't know about the professor part, never got around to teaching you, did I?" Mad-Eye replied grouchily.
"Come down Harry, we want to have a proper look at you," Remus spoke, his voice hoarse from the lack of speech and probably the effort to keep it soft.
"Professor Lupin?" She could practically hear Harry's jaw drop. Tonks reckon it was pretty ridiculous… having two consecutive defence against the Dark arts teacher in one place, appearing at your house during summer... yep…it's bloody bizarre…
"Why are we all standing in the dark?" Tonks asked, before lighting the tip of her wand.
Harry was standing just at the foot of the stairs, staring as Remus introduced them. She started strolling around the kitchen; introductions didn't interest her, which is until she was introduced with her first name.
She took the trouble to stop her rummaging in the fridge (which to her was bloody useful), to interrupt him and once satisfied, she continued her journey.
Muggle things didn't appeal to her but they were interesting. She was impressed with the Muggles' ability to survive without the convenience of magic.
She could hear Remus and Mad-Eye talking to Harry. Tonks glanced over to see Emmeline and the rest examining the microwave, which her dad had taught her how to operate before. Sighing, she toyed with the idea of having a look upstairs…
"Well, then, off you go to pack your trunk," Remus told Harry in false enthusiasm which Tonks saw through.
"I'll help you!" Tonks called, turning away from the kitchen and dashing up the steps after Harry. She shot Remus a withering look which she know he'd recognise as her trying to tell him what a bad actor he was. She glimpse Remus chuckling quietly to himself in amusement as she followed Harry, "Very clean huh? These muggles," She commented, running her finger along the wall, "too clean I think. It's unnatural y'know."
She noticed Harry nodding, not really knowing what to say.
"My dad's a muggleborn and he's a slob at that. I suppose it differs huh? Like with wizards?" Tonks asked as they entered his room.
"I guess," Harry shrugged.
Tonks smiled, "This is more like it," She jumped over an abandoned sock and went for the mirror. She glimpsed Harry starting to carry his books into the trunk in the mirror as she contemplated changing her hair, "I don't think purple is really my colour is it? Makes me look a little peaky…"
She watched Harry's reaction. He scrunched up his face, "Er…" Tonks smiled, knowing he just didn't want to offend her.
"Yeah, it does." She said decidedly and morphed her purple away to replace it with pink.
"How…how'd you do that?" Harry demanded, gaping.
Chuckling, Tonks replied, "I'm a metamorphagus."
"A what?"
"Metamorphagus," Tonks grinned, "I passed Concealment and Disguise without practise at all, it is great."
"You're an Auror?"
"Yes," She replied, "I just got my badge last summer though so Kingsley is a little higher up than me. But, being the only metamorphagus around did have its benefits despite status,"
"Can you learn to be one?" Harry asked hopefully, already completely forgetting about packing.
"You'll have to learn the hard way I'm afraid. I'm born one. Metamorphagi are really rare though," Tonks puckered her face, wishing they were not. Maybe, then Voldemort would find another loyal Metamorphagus to recruit and leave me alone…Harry's face fell in disappointment.
"Wouldn't mind hiding that scar sometimes eh?" Tonks smiled.
"I wouldn't mind…" He muttered.
"Sometimes it's good to be different I guess," She turned to him, "sometimes…it's just really bad."
Harry looked up, surprised, "Yeah," Then his eyes flickered to her hair, "I guess you know what it feels like…you're-"
"A freak?" Tonks grinned.
"Different. I meant different." Harry hurriedly corrected. She laughed.
"Don't worry, I'm used to it," She strode over and sat down at the end of his bed, "You should try that too. Depressing over it isn't going to make things better for you."
Harry looked down, seemingly considering the idea.
"Everyone only gets to live once…" Tonks said thoughtfully, yeah…and Voldemort's screwing mine up… She thought sullenly before realising, and he's doing that to Harry's too…
"Yeah, you're right," Harry forced a smile.
"I know how it feels. To be chosen for something you didn't want," She choked over the last part. Harry frowned, puzzled. Catching herself in time, Tonks cleared her throat, "We're supposed to be packing,"
"Urm…yeah," Harry turned and began to throw his things into his trunk, obviously still bothered by what she'd said.
Me and my stupid unfiltered gob…Tonks sighed but decide to salvage the situation, "Don't be stupid. It'll be much faster if I pack!" She cried. With her wand in hand, Tonks made everything pile in the trunk, not in the most neat and organized way possible…Tonks noted with a cringe but that'll have to do.
Cleaning up Harry's owl cage too, she took it and got the trunk to follow them down the stairs.
"Excellent," Remus turned as they entered the kitchen again with Harry's trunk. Tonks smiled at him as she passed him to sit on the counter. She was idly aware of the conversation between Remus and Harry.
Looking up from fiddling with a loose thread on her glove, Tonks noticed Mad-Eye throwing furtive glances in her direction with his magical eye before it got stuck at the top…again…
Tonks sighed, knowing and preparing her stomach for what's to happen next. Mad-Eye asked Harry for a glass of water. Wrestling the eye out of its socket and into his hand, Tonks stuck out her tongue in disgust.
"You do know that's disgusting right Mad-Eye?"
Her mentor ignored her and looked at Harry, "Cheers," Mad-Eye smirked before dropping his eye into the glass, cleaning it.
Then they hung around the kitchen, waiting for the signal after Mad-Eye disillusion Harry. Mad-Eye pulled out his pocket watch and told everyone it's about time. Tonks hung Harry's trunk on the back of her broom as they stood in the front porch.
"There's the first signal," Remus said from beside her and everyone prepared to take off, hunching over their brooms.
"Don't break ranks If one of us is killed," Mad-Eye growled, "the rear guards would take over if they take all of us out,"
"Don't be so cheerful Mad-Eye, he'll think we're not taking this seriously," Tonks commented.
"Alright, there's the second signal. Let's go!" Remus said.
Tonks instantly kicked off. Behind her, she heard Harry laugh. She managed a smile; after all, how many happy moments can the boy who lived find?
She glanced around. Something was unsettling her gut. It was something she'd manifest in her time with her paranoid mentor. Mad-Eye's consistent barking was not helping her unsettled stomach.
Then she saw them.
Shit!
"Guard Harry!" She heard someone order, probably Kingsley. Tonks whipped her wand out, having no problem flying with one hand while the other concentrate on firing spells. She was taking point with Harry just behind her. If she was down, Harry would be exposed. That would not do…
How could they know they're shifting Harry tonight? And why would they risk this, knowing all the most skilled Order Members would be here tonight?
In the clear night, Tonks saw a blasting spell coming to them face on, she being the first person to receive it since she was taking point.
Her first instinct would be to dive out of the way, but with Harry behind her, she'd rather not risk it. Bracing herself for it, Tonks cast a shield hurriedly and parried the spell aside. Tonks staggered back on her broom from the impact but was unscathed. Her eyes widened as the barrage of spells followed.
"Doge, Lupin, Vance follow me!" Mad-Eye barked, "Rest of you go ahead!" Instantly, the order formation broke, leaving the spells whizzing into the night and missing their target.
Tonks instantly broke off, aware of Harry still following tight on her tail. He was a good flyer.
She continued to the route back to Grimmauld Place, glimpsing Mad-Eye and the rest facing the Death Eaters head on. Seemingly sensing the change in the Order's plan, the Death Eaters split up too. Among the 10 Death Eaters, 4 broke off from the group and went after them. They were coming from their left.
Frantically, Tonks shot multiple stunning spells towards them. 2 of them swerve off route to dodge them while the other two parried them away.
Kingsley and Podmore took over and begin duelling two of the death eaters while Tonks and Hestia continued flying.
Her heart was practically beating in her ears. The initial two death eaters who evaded her stunning spells started on their tails. Tonks fired spells whenever she could but mostly, Hestia had to cover their rear as Tonks continued flying with Harry following. Then a quick spell from Mad-Eye incapacitated one of the death eaters, leaving the other open to a stunner from Hestia.
"We have to get back!" Tonks suddenly heard Harry shout behind her, "We can't leave them there!"
Coincidentally, Harry had hit right on the target for what she was thinking but Tonks wasn't going let a 15 year old ignorant Harry Potter plunge headfirst into danger.
"No! Not now! The rear guards-" Tonks shouted back.
"One of them could be dead by the time they get there!" Harry roared.
Her heart skipped a beat. Remus…Mad-Eye…
Then it occurred to her, why the hell had Mad-Eye not called on me to fight off the death eater? Sure, I was most inexperience but no one, no one but my mentor know I am more than capable of fighting off death eaters…
Her thoughts were interrupted all of a sudden.
"There she is!" One of the death eaters barked, flinging a stunning spell in her direction.
Crap! Reinforcements!
She swerved her broom sharply to evade it and pulling her shield in time to fend off a blasting spell. Harry's disillusioned so hopefully, they can't see him.
Stupefy!
The red jet of light narrowly missed one of their heads, grazing one of their hoods. That death eater looks disorientated for a moment, giving Tonks an opening. Her next blasting curse hit his shoulder, sending him reeling on his broom. Another one followed and this time hitting him full in the face. Tonks glimpse the death eater's mask soaring to the muggle houses below before she looked up.
She recognised him. Rodolphus Lestrange. Her uncle…
"How are you Nymphadora?" He sneered. Before Tonks could formulate a response, two more death eaters joined the fight. She was being overpowered as three death eaters quickly become 5. Tonks frantically parried off curse after curse, unable to find an opening to attack.
A jet of white light slammed into the backs of one of the death eaters and Shacklebolt was suddenly in the fight with her.
Damn it! Confringo!
Tonks pushed her broom into a sharp descend, neatly dodging the spell. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Glancing back, she caught sight of Sturgis and Hestia guarding the disillusioned Harry as best as they could. Then Tonks's blood froze in their veins.
Oh Merlin…"Podmore! Jones!" Tonks shrieked. Before she could move out of the way, she felt the Dementors in her face, sucking happiness out of her instantly, "Expecto Patronum!" She stabbed with her wand frantically, filling her mind with the first happy thought that came to her mind.
Tonks had had the experience of having too many dementors get their fill of her and that definitely didn't go well with the fact that she was more than 20 feet off the ground.
Her ferret lit up the night sky, driving the dementor in front of her away. At the corner of her eyes, she saw Kingsley also successfully summoning his lynx and driving another dementor away.
Bring her ferret around, she drove away the dementors surrounding and overpowering Sturgis, Hestia and Harry, the latter probably hesitating to produce a patronus. Tonks wished he was hesitating; one underage magic charge is enough to handle.
"Nymphadora!" Kingsley's strained shout got her attention. Her broken concentration caused her patronus to vanish but she had more things on her hands now.
Tonks heard a sharp cackling. Turning, she saw Bellatrix's smirk as she vanished her mask.
"Nymphie has finally decided to come out to play!" Bellatrix smirked; not giving Tonks the chance to respond before firing barrages of curses at her. All of which, Tonks realised, seemed to not be the killing curse.
Stupefy! Confringo! Reducto!
"Now now Nymphie! Let's not be difficult!" She heard Bellatrix shrieked over the curses exchange, "Crucio!"
Tonks gasped, breaking her spell midway to dive into a dodge. Getting cruciated in mid-air doesn't sound very appealing.
Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupid Death Eater! Incendio!To Tonks horror, Bellatrix took all three stunners to her shield. The last spell missed Bellatrix but successfully singed the end of her robe.
She smirked, "How's dear Andy and her mudblood husband?"
Snarling, Tonks sent another spell to her head, her anger fuelling her precision and her speed,
"Touchy I see," Bellatrix laughed, "Mixing around with filthy Mudbloods can do that to you,"
"Better than Dementors," Tonks growled, whipping another spell into the air towards her.
"Lestrange!" Kingsley barked, effectively hitting Bellatrix in the shoulder as she was shielding a spell and busy laughing at Tonks.
Tonks grinned as her Aunt howled in pain, "Auror Shacklebolt," Bellatrix sneered as she attempted to heal the gash in her arm. Swiftly, Tonks sent another spell her way, desperate to not let her heal it. Kingsley was then occupied with another death eater who came to assist Bellatrix.
Tonks couldn't be sure what was happening around her but knew for a fact that they were being outnumbered. Kingsley and her were barely able to hold off the death eaters much less while evading attacks from Dementors. She supposed Hestia and Sturgis were at least able to bring Harry away since they were already out of her sight.
As she braced herself for another curse from her Aunt, Tonks was again surprised when instead, Bellatrix sneered, apparating away in a puff of black smoke.
"Coward…" Tonks muttered, despite the fact that her heart was beating so fast she could hear it in her head. In a distance, Tonks could see Mad-eye, Emmeline, Remus and Elphias
"Harry?" Emmeline flew to Tonks, asking.
"Sturgis and Hestia have him," Tonks replied, feeling short of breath. Behind Emmeline, she saw Mad-Eye, Remus and Elphias approaching on their brooms.
"Damn Death Eaters," Mad-Eye cursed, "Kingsley, inform Albus about this," Tonks turned to him. He looked fine so Tonks searched for Remus but before she could find him within the crowd of Order Members in the sky, the Order began flying back to headquarters. Kingsley then summoned his patronus, sending it with the message.
At least that's progress…I think, Tonks gulped, flying after them.
To be continued…
A/N: I hoped you guys liked this chapter! I have honestly no idea when the next update will be but I'll definitely do my best to get it up as soon as I can!
Huge thanks to readers and of course the lovely reviewers of last chapter!
NyxBorn: I have no idea if that's sarcasm but in case its not, Bellatrix did still have the 'pure blood' mindset going on, so of course she wouldn't want Tonks (whose dad is a muggle) to join the Death Eaters! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Divinia Serit: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoy the story and the interaction!
Yreva13: xD Thanks!
Hope06: I did have Tonks pictured a little to Harry and this chapter probably did accentuate their common situation both of them are unfortunately in. Thanks so much for the review!