Chapter 12: Captured

"Good morning,"

Tonks smiled, "Morning,"

Remus was standing at her door, as always. He was dressed in a shabby brown coat, a faded dark blue buttoned up shirt below it. It was like everyday. Tonks was already beginning to wonder how boring his wardrobe would look, filled with all the dark boring colors.

It was Saturday, means an extended training from Snape. Tonks was not looking forward to it.

It has been about a month since Remus had been assigned to her as her personal bodyguard. Tonks was fine with it, she felt safe with Remus. He was responsible, never ditching on her without informing her first, or never ditching on her ever (of course not considering the full moon).

Everyday, Remus would send her to the floo so she could get to work. When she was done, she'd head to Grimmauld Place with Remus always waiting for her at the usual spot.

This was not unnecessary. More than twice last week, there were various attacks on Order members, not just on Tonks. Dedalus had been cornered by a bunch of them just earlier this week, saved only because he happened to be meeting some of his friends there. It was evident within the Order that Voldemort was getting stronger each day, his recruitments increasing and not all of them are wizards and witches.

It infuriated Tonks that the Ministry still insisted that they had everything under control when she'd witnessed Dementors doing Death Eater's bidding. Furthermore, the minister had even sent Umbridge to Hogwarts. The Auror department threw a small discrete party on the day she left for Hogwarts though many of them sympathize with the students there.

Snape had spent practically everyday he could spare, since they got Harry to Grimmauld Place, training her up. He didn't train her on Dark Arts as they'd want her knowledge of Dark Arts to be as pure as an Auror and Order member would be. However, Tonks was now able to effectively block out any form of legilimacy if she put her mind to it and she was even able to fabricate.

"How's your sleep?" Remus asked, a little more cheerfully this morning. Tonks had also realized his mood changed according to the moon. The last full moon was about 4 days ago and Tonks always looked forward to talking to post-full-moon Remus. In oppose to pre-full-moon Remus who looked downright depressed and tired and weary.

"Good," She replied. They were walking to Grimmauld Place as they always do from her flat; it just meant more time with Remus and less time with Snape. Why not? "And yours?"

"Uneventful," Remus smiled, "Chocolate?" He dug into his coat pocket and offered her one.

"In the morning?" Tonks looked skeptical.

"Sure," Remus shrugged. Tonks took it, beginning to open the wrapper. Tonks found out a lot about Remus these days. His obsession and good taste with chocolate didn't escape her notice. He'd also mentioned his favorite time of the day was dawn and dusk to which the reason was because the sun was the most beautiful at this time; it helped him collect his thoughts.

Remus had been decidedly fun to be around, especially when he let loose some of his younger self. Tonks hadn't forgotten their deal and she'd kept her side of the deal; not to visit Remus on full moon, but she hadn't thought of anything major to use her three requests on him.

"This is good," Tonks said, while munching on the chocolate bar, "You needn't escort me to Grimmauld place y'know. You could just wait for me there,"

Remus had been living in Headquarters for as long as she can remember, keeping Sirius company, being the good friend that he is, "It's fine. And I didn't spend the night there."

"Oh?" Remus had never struck as the flirtatious type, in fact, her heart stung as that thought occurred to her.

"I went back to my house," He said, "the one my parents left me…"

"Ah," Tonks nodded knowingly, recalling the night he told her the story about his parents and about their tragic murder by Death Eaters, "How's Harry?"

Harry has been writing to Sirius, to his delight. It was not approved by some, so this was a secret between Sirius and Remus then Remus and Tonks.

"Bad. Umbridge is giving them a hard time," Remus grimaced, "She's setting up some ridiculous rules there."

"For once, I'm glad I'm out of there." Tonks grinned.

"You never strike me as one who enjoys school," Remus teased.

"I miss the food,"

"Glutton,"

"Concentrate Nymphadora," Snape said curtly.

"Don't call me Nymphadora," Tonks said through gritted teeth.

Then Snape's face paled, leaving Tonks gleeful at succeeding.

Tonks had joyfully spent the last few hours torturing and teasing Snape with various thought and images as he trained her. It has been fun to watch the reactions.

Even Remus, who was watching, managed a small chuckle at Snape's face.

"Alright," Snape straightened out, staring down at her with calculative eyes.

"Yes?" Tonks replied, more to infuriate him than to reply.

"Again,"

Tonks shrugged. It took the effort to fabricate but Tonks was getting better. She hated to admit it, but Snape's quite good at Legilimacy and good at teaching, even if it was the hard way.

Tonks braced herself as Snape raised his wand.

"Legilimens!"

She instantly felt the psychological impact. Snape's intruding hit her hard, inducing a grimace as Tonks struggled to keep up the fabrication or storytelling, which she fondly calls it. Now keeping out Snape was easy, lying was difficult. To top it up, Tonks was never a good liar, or so Remus told her.

Tonks offered several false images. Her arguing with Mad-Eye about using Dark Arts, the vindictive stares she got from various order members, the loyalty she has for Voldemort.

Then she heard Remus laughing quietly by the side. What is he-

She gasped feeling Snape intrude her mind, digging deeper and deeper.

"When the moon approaches, I can feel it. My body sets itself for transformation." Lupin explained

"Does it hurt?" She asked him in a small voice

"Most of the time."

"Sorry," Remus said, his tone soft, "I'm not much fun aren't I?"

Then it flashed once, Snape practically bashing his way in. It was difficult to stop him now that he was in.

"Shhh, there now…" Remus whispered.

"Sweet dreams,"

As it halted abruptly, Tonks doubled over on the couch. She gasped for breath. Looking up, she saw that Remus standing by Snape, his hand on Snape's arm.

"Lupin," Snape raised an eyebrow, staring.

Remus made eye contact, replying "You're hurting her," For a moment, Tonks could see the shadow of the wolf on his always calm and gentle face. He dropped his hand from Snape's arm.

"I'm fine," Tonks breathed, leaning over to catch her breath.

"I'll try to go soft next time," Snape sneered. He glanced once at the clock on the wall before striding out the door, slipping pass Remus.

Remus stared after Snape, his expression vacant.

"Thanks…" Tonks murmured.

"Don't mention it," He walked over, "What happened? You were doing great there,"

"I was…distracted," She replied, hoping he wouldn't probe further. Tonks promptly morphed her blush away, "Doesn't matter, I'm ready." She stood.

Later, Tonks found herself at the table in Grimmauld Place. It wasn't an official order meeting but Dumbledore had to discuss a plan for Tonks.

"Severus," Dumbledore inclined his chin as Snape walked in, sitting down a seat away from Tonks, "How's has the training been?"

Snape hesitated, glancing over Tonks, "she can manage,"

Tonks gritted her teeth.

Sirius and Remus were sitting in on this one too, since they were there; both listening quietly.

"Deceiving Lord Voldemort would not be easy task Nymphadora," Dumbledore said, "I urge you to take extreme caution,"

"I will," Tonks nodded.

"Now, Severus, if you could arrange the capture-"

"Professor," Tonks started hesitantly, "Maybe Snape needn't arrange it. All I have to do is walk right into their path, since they've got their eyes on me for a while. Besides, if I messed up…at least Snape would not be implicated. The Order would still have their informant." Tonks pointed it out not missing the fact that both Remus and Sirius stiffen at the mention of her failure.

The Headmaster contemplated before nodding, "Yes, a wise plan. But some death eaters are out to kill. Severus?"

"They will not kill Nymphadora unless it's express orders from the Dark Lord himself,"

Wow…I must be a big deal…Tonks mused.

"Alright then," Dumbledore clasped his hand together, "Tomorrow, you'll be captured by the patrolling Death Eaters and from there, Severus will guide you whenever he can,"

Both Snape and Tonks nodded.

"I shall take my leave then. Dolores has a sharp eye for my absence," His eye twinkled behind his half moon spectacles, "Good day to you, Remus, Sirius. Good luck Nymphadora," He patted her shoulder with a wrinkled hand before leaving.

Snape then stood after Dumbledore, leaving likewise without any goodbyes.

Tonks spent the rest of her Saturday with Remus and Sirius. She'd tried to play chess with Sirius but he got drunk and was out in two games of both of them winning one each. Then Remus gladly took over.

By nightfall, Remus had won 6 games over Tonks, who'd won 1.

Tonks was then stuck with drunken Sirius as Remus went to buy them dinner.

Dinner was eaten in silence as both of them avoided talking about her 'mission' which was commencing tomorrow and subsequently.

Tonks didn't miss that Remus looked exceptionally troubled, no doubt worrying for her like he always do for everyone.

Then there was a creak, signifying the opening of Grimmauld Place's old door.

Both Tonks and Remus stiffened, pulling out their wands. Sirius stirred and mumbled, still lying on the table, drooling a little.

Tonks slowly got up, positioning her wand in front of her.

"Charlie!" She gaped, glimpsing him before he drew her into a firm embrace at the doorway to the kitchen.

"I went to your flat but I couldn't find you…" Charlie mumbled.

"Yeah, I've been here," Tonks said, gently prying his grip from around her, "what are you doing here?"

"I heard from Dumbledore…you're leaving? So soon for the mission?"

"Yes, if not tomorrow, when?" Tonks sighed.

"Least of all, you should've let me in on this…" Charlie muttered.

"I'm sorry," Tonks said sheepishly, "It slipped my mind-" The rest of her sentence was cut off as Charlie held her hand. Tonks stiffened, a frown forming across her face and her brows furrowing. She was mildly aware of the tensed atmosphere in the kitchen, "Charlie…we need to talk, upstairs maybe?"

"Yeah, sure," He nodded, turning to lead the way, pulling her by her hand. Glancing back, she saw Remus looking at them, watching her evenly. His face was looking painfully calm which told Tonks for some reason, it was a hoax. Sirius was still sprawled on the table, starting to emit a snore.

He led them into an old bedroom and Tonks shut the door behind her.

"Charlie…" She murmured, prying her hand away from him, "this…isn't going to work,"

His face fell.

"But-" Charlie started, struggling to find the words, "I…what did I do wrong?"

"No, you didn't do anything wrong," Tonks forced a smile, "it's me alright? I just can't…" She grimaced as Charlie stared at the ground, his face pained.

"Tonks…" He looked up.

"I'm really sorry, Charlie," She adverted his pleading gaze.

He started to nod, "It's fine," His voice whispered out softly, "I understand."

Tonks furrowed her brows, worried.

"Well then, I should be going," Charlie said, "I just came to see you before…"

You die…He didn't actually need to finish the sentence for Tonks to hear it.

"Goodbye Tonks," He smiled, forced, "Take care," He slipped pass her, out the door and then, leaving Grimmauld Place.

No matter how much Charlie love her, no matter what he did or say for her, Tonks couldn't find it in herself to love him more than she already did as a friend.

Her mind was already on someone else. Someone whose laughter would make her heart sing, whose voice would make her heart have soft hiccups, whose eyes seem to completely halt her breathing mechanism, whose every action captivated her full attention. Just thinking about it made her heart thump faster than usual-

"Two sickle for your thoughts?"

She spun around. Remus was standing there, leaning against the doorframe.

"Save that for a butterbeer," Tonks replied. Remus laughed.

"Charlie doesn't look too well," Remus commented.

"He doesn't," Tonks agreed, her eyes fixed on him. He left the doorframe, entering the room.

"He's good for you, Tonks," Remus said, his eyes looking into hers.

"He's not who I want…" She replied, looking away. Remus was quiet. A glance told Tonks he was too staring away in a distance, folds forming in between his brows.

"You should…," He cleared his throat a little as his voice came out hoarse, "sleep early," Remus gave her a small smile, "Tomorrow will be a big day,"

"Yes, it will be," Tonks nodded. She'd already decided to sleep over for the night, after all, it could very well be the last time she'll spend with Remus and Sirius, "Good night," She said, walking out of the room, hearing a soft reply from him. Tonks headed for Sirius's room, ridiculously over decorated with Gryffindor colored banners. She found a suitable shirt for her to sleep in and tucked herself in a random guest room which wasn't infested by all sorts of creatures.

As she lay in bed at night, sleep didn't come easy at all. Her brain flipped and turned.

She thought of Mad-Eye first. Mad-Eye, who has been amusing Tonks, seemed to be surlier every time she meet him since Snape started giving her training.

She'd guessed it was something akin to having Severus Snape of all people training his apprentice. He'd never seen eye-to-eye with Snape, ever.

Then she thought of her parents. Andromeda and Ted didn't even know their daughter is in the Order. Tonks knew it'll be safer if they didn't know and it wasn't the first or the last secret she'd be keeping from them.

And Remus…Tonks sighed at that.

Alright…stop thinking Tonks! Go to sleep. No, you're not going to die…

Tonks woke up bright and early, when the sun had hardly rose. She idly neatened her hair before heading for the bathroom.

Remus was standing in the hallway, right outside the bathroom.

She'd not expected him to up this early. Tonks blushed, realizing she'd failed to wear something presentable as a bottom but Sirius's shirt effectively covered that.

"Morning," She mumbled.

"Good morning," he replied, gesturing to the closed door, "Occupied."

"Sirius?"

"Vomiting everything he ate," Remus confirmed, an amused smile on his face.

As if on cue, the door flung open to reveal Sirius. His hair was tousled from sleep. Apart from faded pajamas pants, Sirius was dressed in nothing else.

"Hey Tonks," Sirius greeted.

"Wotcher…" she replied warily. Sirius had mood swings when he's sober…who knows what he could be when he's hung-over.

"You look good in my shirt," Sirius grinned. Tonks blushed.

"Shut up," She was suddenly very aware of herself but Remus spared her the extra embarrassment as he gestured to the unoccupied bathroom. Tonks slipped in, still blushing furiously.

"You be careful Cuz," Sirius muttered into her ear as he hugged her.

"I will, you too, keep out of trouble," Tonks nodded.

Then Remus drew her into a gentle embrace. She stopped breathing.

Tonks will never forget this. He was positively skinny but his arms were strong as hugged her around the waist, her own arms thrown around his neck. She placed her cheek on his shoulder, letting out a breath she didn't realise she was holding as she sighed. She felt safe and warm; everything home should be.

"I'll come back," Tonks croaked.

"Please do," Remus whispered into her ear before releasing her. Forcing a smile at both of them, she left.

"Nymphadora," Remus called, his voice wavering. He stood at the doorway of Grimmauld Place, watching her leave, "Be careful,"

"I'll try not to trip," She smirked, walking into the alley to apparate. She glanced back to see Remus still standing there, watching her.

With a sigh, she disappeared from his sight, waving her wand to apparate.

This is it…

She apparated right in the midst of London. Knockturn alley… It's dodgy, dark and smells. It seemed right for a Death Eater hang-out spot. Furthermore, it wouldn't be difficult for any Death Eater to spot her since they'd been spying on her and attacking whenever they could; only this time, she wouldn't have Remus with her.

This dark place has always given her the creeps. Her paranoid senses she'd gotten from her mentor was driving her crazy. Her hand twitched endlessly, yearning for her wand but she had to look normal.

She had to walk into Borgin & Burkes and start browsing for furniture…

Damn you Snape…what an idea…

Tonks pretended to be interest in the rows of boring furniture. She pulled up the hood to her black cloak as she entered. The shopkeeper seemed to not have noticed her as she browsed.

Here they come…

She tensed. Instantly, the windows of the shop shattered. Her training kicking in, Tonks dropped to her stomach just as glass shards from the window pierced the cupboard behind her. She drew her wand, glancing around for the enemy.

Her blood froze as she heard a shrill cackling.

"Nymphie,"

For Merlin's sake! Don't they have anymore Death Eaters?

Tonks could hear Bellatrix calling from the door of the store.

"Nymphie, come out come out wherever you are!" Bellatrix shrieked.

Tonks panicked, her breathing come in short sharp rasps.

Stupefy!

Bellatrix spun in time to wave aside her spell. It bounded off and smashed the counter.

"There you are," Bellatrix smirked. Plucking her courage, Tonks strode out from behind the furniture, coming in full view of her Aunt. Her breath caught in her throat.

Flanking her were close to 5 Death Eaters.

Well…faking to be captured won't be difficult…Tonks thought sullenly.

She ducked as all of them shot various spells at her. A spell grazed her shoulder, splitting the cloth. She ignored it, leaning back as a jet of green narrowly missing her head.

"Don't kill her idiot!" Tonks heard a low sharp hissing.

Confringo!

Her curse hit a cabinet. It burst, showering the Death Eaters with shrapnel.

Tonks took her chance, leaping out the window and made a mad dash for the streets.

They'll catch me anyway…

And they did. Tonks turned just in time and parried away a jet of white, ducking a cruciatus curse while she's at it.

Her hands were trembling from the fear that she was ashamed to realise she was feeling. Tonks waved her wand to apparate but, as she predicted, was unable to due to the disapparition charm.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix's shrilled voice shouted.

Tonks looked up as the curse hit her, igniting her body on fire. She dropped to the floor, writhing in pain. A cry of agony left her.

Cackling, Bellatrix stopped, towering over her. Tonks glanced around frantically to see the Death Eaters forming a tight circle around her.

"Nighty Night Nymphie!"

Tonks gasped, struggling to get away but she heard a deep voice casting a spell she didn't recognize and her world turned black before she could move.

~:~:~:~:~

Please…stay away. You have to stay away.

Did anyone tell you, you look amusing when you're upset?

Nymphadora

Her eyes snapped open, her body going rigid instinctively.

Remus…

It was dark, very dark. Tonks tried to feel her way around but she realized she was lying on the floor, with her hands bounded behind her back. She couldn't feel her wand or find it for that matter. All she felt was the dull throb of her head and her torso where the cruciatus curse had hit and also where she'd hit when she'd fell. Definitely another bruise…Tonks thought.

She lifted her head from the cold floor. Her head was heavy and ached. First things first, what good is she going to be lying on the floor like that?

Tonks easily got to her feet with her hands bounded. It tended to be easy when your mentor who trained you for two years like to include obstacles such as bounded hands in his training.

She closed her eyes, not bothering to look into the dark. Instead, she concentrated on listening. Tonks could hear water, dripping from the ceiling probably. She could hear some voices which found their way in wherever she was. Straining her ears, Tonks still couldn't make out what they were saying. She gave up on that.

Tonks then began walking around; wanting to feel how big her little cell is, all the time, her ears pricked for danger.

She walked with her back along the wall, her bounded hands trailing along the damp cold concrete. Once or twice, her toe caught on something, causing her to stumble. She was pretty sure she grazed her forehead and bruised her knee as she fell into a heap on the cold floor.

Tonks jumped as she heard footsteps echoed around her. She opened her eyes, only to still see nothing but the darkness of her stupid cell.

Then she heard the door, probably a gate, Tonks didn't have the time to find it, open on its smooth hinges, just creaking slightly.

"Who's there?" Tonks spoke, her voice sounded hoarse. She wished this mysterious person would quickly light his wand so she could see, "Who-"

"Nymphadora,"

She sighed in relief, careful not to make her sigh audible. They are in the enemy's lair after all, "Snape," Tonks replied, making sure she sounded curt.

"The Dark Lord is on his way," He said.

"I'm looking forward to it," Tonks snarled sardonically. Oh my…Snape must really be rubbing off on me…"Why are you here?"

Nothing but silence reached her ears.

"Dinner," Snape stated tersely and she heard a soft thud, probably him putting that plate on the wooden ledge she'd felt earlier. She wondered just how long she has been asleep.

"Well, I would've seen it if you'd switch on the lights," Tonks said, sarcastically.

Silence again.

"Hey, answer me!" She snapped.

"Lumos," She heard Snape's voice ring out, loud and clear.

She waited.

Nothing…nothing but darkness.

She would've rubbed her eyes if she could. "I…I can't see," Tonks cried out, her tone positively horrified, "I can't see anything,"

To be continued…

Thanks to the reviewers and readers of last chapter!

_: Glad you like it! Hope this chapter didn't come too late!

Hope06: Thanks so much for the review!

Please review!