Chapter 18: Mark
Remus stared.
"Remus," She shifted and leaned forward, "Kiss me," Tonks felt her hands holding his right. She realized just how calloused his hand actually is. Her thumb felt the scars on his hand, those on his knuckles signifying once split knuckles, the one starting at the back of his wrist, a small lumpy one in between his ring and middle finger.
"Nymphadora," Remus spoke, his voice coming out as a hoarse whisper, "No," He twisted his hand out of hers tenderly but that was too intimate for her to stop. His pale blue eyes averted hers, looking intensely at the dusty wooden floor.
"Kiss me," Tonks insisted, her hands grasping his hand again, "You promised you would do anything,"
Remus looked up abruptly, his face stiff and unsmiling. For a moment, she thought saw regret in his eyes but it was gone in a flash. He broke their eye contact and looked down at their connected hands.
Slowly but surely, his fingers wounded around hers. Tonks froze, her heart jumping in excitement, stuttering and stumbling in the process making it hard for her to breathe. She watched as his warm thumb caressed the back of her hand. His hands were incredibly gentle, his fingertips barely brushing her skin. She felt him lift her hands just a little and slid his fingers in between hers. They matched. Her smaller hand fit right in his snugly as their fingers tangled together, clasping onto the other. She looked up to see him gazing at her. His eyes…
She saw him inch closer, his hand kept on hers. Closer and closer till she could smell the faint delicious chocolate fragrant from every exhalation he took. Tonks allowed a small smile to grace her lips, knowing he'd probably sneaked a chocolate before the meeting; not being able to survive without them for more than a few hours. It was so slow, it was hard to bear.
Oh damn it! Tonks covered the remaining distance abruptly, apparently startling Remus as she felt his breath hitch and he froze. Oh Merlin, his lips…they were the softest, the warmest. She ignored the sharp pain the cut on her lips gave her as she kissed him.
She felt him tentatively moving his lips against hers. Tonks was on fire. One moment, he was hesitantly pressing his lips to hers, the next; her hands were running through his sandy brown hair, she, being the anxious one rushing into it. Despite that, Remus was gentle with her; very gentle despite her passionate response. His lips gently took her bottom lip in between them and… oh… Tonks felt her eyes roll to the back of her head.
Frustratingly, Remus kept his hands to himself. He tilted his head just a little, deepening the gentle kiss. Tonks could feel his rough and scratchy stubble comfortingly against her chin. Of course she mildly wondered why he hadn't shaved but that thought slipped away from her careless grasps as she let herself sink into blissful depths.
The kiss was everything she expected a kiss to be. Her first kiss; she hadn't even had a small peck with Charlie, not on the lips anyway. The sweetest, the kiss that makes her knees go weak and her heart just melt at the thought. In a pleasant surprise, she felt Remus's hands rest of her hips, just barely applying pressure. Tonks couldn't help but having the impression that he was scared she'll shatter under his touch or something.
Tonks's thought were cut short and so was the kiss as Remus broke them apart. She began protesting but realized she'd not been behaving during the kiss.
Her hands were still buried in Remus's hair and her body wasn't where it used to be. Instead, she was practically on him; slightly straddling him. Remus's eyes were open, gazing up at her. They held so much depth. She couldn't figure what he was thinking; was he upset? Amazed and mesmerized? No, I am amazed and mesmerized…
His breathing was quickened and his lips parted just slightly. His hands had left her hips, leaving her wondering if she'd imagined it all. His body was warm against hers.
Remus blinked. Flushing in embarrassment, Tonks crept back.
Tonks neither remember herself tearing her hand from his nor did she remember moving onto him. She didn't know if he kept his eyes open through the kiss or that he just opened them in sync with her. His lips were redder than usual, a strangely happy reminder for Tonks.
Her throat was dry as she found herself unable to speak but sit there, waiting for Remus to do something; anything…
"Get some rest," Remus's voice sounded scratchy as he calmly stood to leave. Tonks looked up, wincing as if she'd been hit. She caught sight of his tousled hair at the back of his head, courtesy of Tonks. Without a backwards glance, he was gone, out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
The only thing that told her Remus was even around before was the sunken space on the bed he'd sat on, her racing heart and her blissfully warm lips.
What did you expect? You forced him into this… Tonks berated herself, sullenly sitting there. She didn't even have the courage to go after him to demand he gave her a proper talk. Tonks could only stay there, mending her broken heart to top up her already broken body.
~:~:~:~:
"Perfect," Voldemort's silky voice effectively unnerved her, "Nymphadora, we saved you a seat," He gestured to the seat by his side. Tonks bowed, sitting down respectably in her seat just as she'd seen her mother do many times at the dinner table. She heard Bellatrix's hiss and saw Narcissa flinch.
Snape was just beside her. He barely glanced at her.
"My friends, the old man has done enough tyranny to us," Tonks held her breath, "Tonight, we take it all back from them."
Her heart stopped.
"Bellatrix and Nymphadora will lead the mission," Both Aunt and Niece hissed in objection, "Yaxley, Rodolphus, Rowle, Dolohov and Greyback will join you at Azkaban," Signs of excitement spread around the room except with Tonks and Bellatrix who are glaring at each other from across the table, "I hope you will learn to work with your niece Bellatrix," Voldemort turned to Bellatrix who snarled upon meeting Tonks's glare, attracting his attention.
"She's no niece of mine my Lord. That sister is no longer one to Cissy and me since the day she got with that mudblood," Bellatrix spat.
Tonks gritted her teeth, practically seething with anger; her wand already out under the table.
"Now now Bella," Voldemort practically cooed, "Nymphadora here would redeem her Mother's unfortunate fate," A sadistic smile spread across his serpentine feature, "Won't you, Nymphadora,"
Tonks shook with fury, threatening to be unleashed, "Yes, my Lord," Tonks said in a low tone with gritted teeth.
"Good," Voldemort said, his red eyes still locked on her. Tonks was lost as she glared at Bellatrix whom redirected her attention to Voldemort as he said the plan. It was a break-in at Azkaban. Without prompting, Voldemort explained he needed Tonks there; despite the risk of forsaking her mission, he needed someone he knew was capable. They were leaving…now.
~~~~~~:~~~~~~
Her blood ran cold upon arriving in sight of Azkaban but through the trip here, she had never been comfortable. Voldemort didn't miss the fact that her half apparition form was white instead of the black –not that she had control over it but she'd learnt it from Mad-Eye instead of Voldemort. He narrowed his blood shot eyes upon sight of that and scrutinised it from the mansion even as they took flight.
The rest of the Death Eater formed a close knitted formation around her; resembling more like they are making sure she doesn't escape rather than a friendly escort. Her mask made her feel stifling and she couldn't think with that constant reminder what she was, so Tonks'd ripped it off and took a different form under the express permission of the Dark Lord himself. He was more than willing to let Tonks' talents show. It wasn't her style to go into battle morphed, it took up energy and just seemed despicable but this was for the mission.
Tonks found herself constantly looking over her shoulder, keeping an eye on every Death Eater, especially Bellatrix –Constant Vigilance.
Without a warning whatsoever, Bellatrix hurled a curse at the building of Azkaban, laughing. There seemed to be a silent message which Tonks didn't receive as the rest of the Death Eaters scattered to meet the onslaught of Dementors. Tonks swore as a Dementor swopped into her view. She dove down abruptly, feeling her stomach took a flip as she spiraled out of the way of another she met.
She could hear Bellatrix cackling in the background. There were many screams as some Death Eaters were overpowered by the hoard of Dementors approaching quite suddenly.
Expecto Patronum! Think Remus, think…kiss…
Her ferret was more than willing to be of service. Her white cloud of smoke appeared from the tip of her wand, ending at its furry tail. It does its job, taking specific instructions from Tonks. It surprised her how easily she drove the dementors away, her patronus was apparently much stronger than the last time she used it but the nagging thought that Voldemort helped with this made her acutely uncomfortable.
Down below, Tonks glimpsed the hoard of werewolves approaching the door of Azkaban as she burst through the clouds. They were uncontrollable, snarling and growling like a pack of animals rather than human. Withdrawing her ferret, Tonks landed in a burst of white light in front of their leader, Fenrir Greyback.
The werewolves were not well received anywhere and it made no difference in Voldemort's bunch. Instantly, Tonks began to lock on her possible –though a little forced—teamwork here with them. Well, your enemy's enemy is your friend… She began contemplating the times the pack will prove useful to her.
Instantly upon sight of her, all the werewolves crouched forward, snarling but on a raised hand from their leader, they made a point to tone down on their hostility.
"Black," Greyback spoke. Tonks spun around, letting her morph slip. Instantly, Greyback's eyes widened as he realized he'd mistaken her for Bellatrix. It wasn't difficult. Apart from the lack of frizzy hair, Tonks and Bellatrix were practically alike.
"Greyback," Tonks inclined her chin, greeting coldly. Greyback's yellowed eyes narrowed as they ran over Tonks's petite frame and heart shaped face which was now framed with long black hair. There was no way to describe the werewolves apart from pathetic. Rags hung off their muscular frame, many of them going without a shirt if they can manage. She glimpsed lumpy scars on every part of their body as she glanced over them. An unwelcome thought of Remus came to her mind; as one of them, as a monster rather than the gentle, caring, kind and loving man she knew. She shuddered, just barely, thinking of the things they'd do to him.
"The Dark Lord has instructed us to-"
"I am clear what the Dark Lord has said," Tonks interrupted, ignoring the several growls from the pack, "You will follow our orders in this mission if you want to live," She told them calmly.
"We don't take orders from you," A younger but equally shabbily dressed man stepped forward, snarling. A long scar ran parallel across his exposed chest. Tonks glared at him from the corner of her eye, a single flick of her wand to send him sprawling to the dirt, writhing in sheer agony. The rest of the werewolves stared wide eyed, instantly giving Tonks a wide berth. Greyback himself stood dumbstruck and did nothing even if Tonks knew he had his wand stowed away somewhere in his coat.
When Greyback recovered from his shock, he released a feral growl, "Stop, witch," He spat, letting Tonks' eyes glimpse sharpened teeth.
"Tonks, Nymphadora Tonks," She smirked, watching with silent amusement as Greyback's eyes widened. She believed he'd obviously heard of her. Her story wasn't a secret; from how Voldemort himself favored her to the personal trainings to finally being their own. It was surprising to Tonks but the fact that she was trained by Mad-Eye too made some timid Death Eaters tremble.
In exchange, Greyback's name wasn't a secret within the Death Eaters too. He was loosely mentioned in every conversation. The death eaters didn't like the werewolves, obviously. And the fact that Greyback had been the werewolf himself that had bestowed the curse on Remus didn't escape Tonks's eavesdropping either.
This would be a good time for revenge, Tonks mused.
"So who's in charge of this mission?" Tonks asked. She heard her voice; silky, dangerous, just like Andromeda's. Her eyes locked with Greyback's, the screams of the young man dissolving into the background. There were nervous mutters, now, among the werewolves.
"The Death Eaters," Greyback growled, his eyes wandering to the man on the floor. So he actually cared about his pack…Tonks noted.
"Not good enough," Tonks seethed, tightening her grip on her wand and the man's screams became twice as agonizing for the listeners to bear; it was acutely beginning to resemble a howl, tugging at Tonks' own heartstrings. This could've been Remus, on a full moon…
"You," The leader finally snarled vehemently. Tonks could see how reluctant he'd been but that would have to do. She smirked, turning around to face the gates of Azkaban. Instantly, the screams stopped, leaving the man on the ground, his face buried in the mud. Tonks was mildly surprised but didn't show, that he was sobbing, slightly, "You will pay for this," Greyback's voice reached her ears.
"He'll live," Tonks replied back at him. She looked up to see the Death Eaters still locked in a battle with the Dementors but one of the half-apparition form began its descend, landing ahead of Tonks. Bellatrix stood closer to the entrance; not bothering to hide her disgust at the Werewolves' presence.
With a quick flick of her wand, the great gates of Azkaban creaked open and the rush of cold air greeted them. Tonks felt her heart turn cold as they began their entrance into Azkaban. Her hands trembled but it was a matter of experience and Tonks did accompany Mad-Eye once on the visit to Azkaban, only then, Dementors lurked around every corner.
Right now, they were too busy fending off invaders to be lurking in the corridors like the undead.
More and more Death eaters joined them. Tonks disregarded Bellatrix and began wandering down the corridor that she knew the Death Eaters would be held. She didn't know this place well but knowing Mad-Eye, he'd asked her to memorise the rough map of Azkaban for reasons beyond Tonks's intellect.
"Greyback," Tonks called, glaring back at the pack. From behind Bellatrix who was glaring at Tonks in sheer anger, Greyback sneered at her but whipped out his wand and approached her nonetheless, his pack close behind.
"Little Nymphie wants to play," Bellatrix cackled, "Well, go ahead, we're leaving without you when we've got the chance!" She shrieked after Tonks but she went on. The cold and quiet corridors were broken by the werewolves' hasty and nervous footsteps. Tonks sighed inwardly; she had no idea why Voldemort would want to recruit the Werewolves. Sure, they're deadly and intimidating but those became illusions on the other days of the month. One happened to be a good kisser…She can't help but thought.
They passed many cells which included witches and wizards unhinged by Dementors, groveling at their feet for an escape when they passed but Tonks entertained none and one got a nice kick in the face from a werewolf.
None of them interest Tonks but one. She stopped at the door, tilted her head as she read the name on it: Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Get the rest," Tonks ordered monotonously, pointing down the hall without looking away from the name. Hesitantly, the werewolves began unlocking the cells with brute force or with spells if they even possessed a wand. Tonks walked down to the next cell: Sirius Black.
She glanced in, half expecting to see her cousin's handsome face but there was no one; naturally. He was probably enjoying a fire whiskey back in Grimmauld.
Inside the cell were various scratches on the wall. Amongst, she recognized a shabby doodle of a dog, a stag and a wolf. Above, it was names for them; Padfoot, Prongs and Moony. Just below it, there seemed to be a timeline for him to keep track of the date. Below the various dates, there were writings of occasions. One of which wrote; anniversary for leaving home. Another wrote: Happy Birthday to Nymphie.
Tonks stared at that half a minute longer before moving on. There was Moony's birthday too, then Lily's birthday, then Prongs' birthday…
There was a loud crash as the werewolves began hitting down gates in frustration. Tonks rolled her eyes and sighed. They can surely depend on the werewolf when looking on subtlety…
"Hey, watch it werewolf!"
Tonks heard a familiar voice from behind her at one of the werewolves who snarled in return. Tonks sighed wearily, morphing her face away. He's the last person she'd want to meet. She turned to see Jensen standing there. His face was sallow and his eyes empty, circled with deep dark eye rings. His thin frame was draped over with normal prison wear.
His overconfident grin accentuate the lines of his thin but once handsome face as he breathed in the staled air of Azkaban as if it's the sweetest he'd smelt. He was smirking at one of the werewolves who seemed absolutely livid.
"Greyback," Tonks tilted her head so she looked past him to the Alpha of the werewolves pack behind. Greyback was glaring at her with eyes of narrow slits but he nodded stiffly. Without another word, Tonks turned on her heels and left the corridor with Jensen close behind and the werewolves with the other Death Eaters they rescued, most of them were laughing maniacally.
"Hey, thanks," Jensen seemed to zero in on her as the leader. She glimpsed him wanting to stop her with his hand.
Tonks stopped in her tracks, turning to Dane. Her eyes stared blankly at his raised hand, "Auror Dane, I would suggest we leave as quickly as we can," She said in a monotone before strutting past him, her wand at the ready.
From the entrance, she could hear Bellatrix's cackling. Tonks stood there, shifting her weight from one leg to the other impatiently. She could feel Jensen watching her but couldn't stand making eye contact. She watched as her Aunt appeared around the corner with a few freed prisoners. Instantly, Tonks turned and flicked her wand, watching as the great rusty doors of Azkaban opened. She signaled to the death eaters keeping watch on the dementors. The Death Eaters all started their half apparition, grabbing hold of a recently freed Death Eater whom didn't have a wand.
Tonks rolled her eyes, apparating. She swopped in a flash of white, scoping up Jensen by his arm. He is a heavy load, proving to demand more than Tonks remember she could offer. Her spine flared.
"What's your name?" Jensen asked, seemingly oblivious to her difficulty, "Are you new?"
"That's none of your business," Tonks retorted, surging forward.
"It's just a name," Jensen grinned playfully.
"Well, it's my name, go get your own," Tonks scowled.
"That tone…air of confidence…" From Tonks' peripheral vision, she saw Jensen look up at her, "Nymphadora Tonks…"
Tonks refused to look down to see his expression. She wasn't aware if her morph slipped or if he was smarter than she'd thought. She pursed her lips as Jensen's lips curled up in a grin.
All of a sudden, a white blast hit a Death Eater, whom was flying by Tonks. He cried out and Tonks recognized him as a rookie which just came in a few days ago. Tonks could only watch as he spiraled to the ground below. She wanted to dive in to save his life but there was no way she could hold on to Jensen and carry the guy.
"Move!" Jensen barked. Tonks glared at him and immediately swooped in just enough for Jensen to reach out and get the fallen Death Eater's wand. She let go of him and raced into the battle.
Her blood froze as she caught sight of Kingsley. He was sitting on a broom, hurling spells at Yaxley; whom Tonks think the Auror didn't recognize behind the mask. Tonks' vision wandered around; there was Dawlish, Williamson, Proudfoot and a few others wearing Auror robes. Amongst the Aurors, Tonks saw hit-wizards too.
Instantly, she reinforced her morph while musing that hit-wizards and Aurors working together was unimaginable. She wondered how long it takes them to turn on one another. Bellatrix's cackling broke Tonks's train of thoughts.
She turned to that direction in time to see Bellatrix down an Auror with a white flash of light, thank Merlin, which Tonks didn't recognize. For once, Tonks was glad the order wasn't the one onto this first but the ministry.
This will be equivalent to Remus's absence in this cross fire.
Blinking, Tonks parried a weak spell away. It looked strong but colliding with Tonks's wand, it bounced off like an annoying fly. She tilted her head at the young Auror, struggling with her broom already. Tonks sighed; she had no idea why flying on a broom wasn't one of the points to concentrate on during the Auror's proficiency tests.
Watching the Auror teetering on her broom while firing spells at her was almost amusing if it wasn't for the fact that Kingsley was headed this way, his mind trained on assisting this poor Auror.
Tonks didn't want to attack; she may kill someone else again. Kingsley, oblivious to her identity, pummeled her with spells. One came too close for Tonks's comfort. She retaliated, catching the newcomer in the face. Tonks watched as the young Auror slipped off his broom. Kingsley dove down, shooting her second glances as he did, wand at the ready in case she attacked but she didn't. She turned to her fellow Death Eaters.
"Move!" Tonks barked the order at the Death Eaters around. There was no use hanging around. As fun as it might be for the death eaters to be killing some stupid ministry workers, it wasn't worth the risk of losing one of their weak and underfed prisoners they just rescued.
A few of the Death Eaters followed her lead as she punched a hole in the Ministry well thought formation. She knew exactly where the weak spots of hit wizards are. Ironically, Aurors spent the most time trying to beat the Hit wizards more than the Death Eater. Victory in an unsaid competition was too sweet for Tonks to miss out on it.
She hit a Hit wizard, who sneered at her the other day in the face, with a blasting curse as she passed.
"Lestrange!" She heard someone call out but she was busy fending off 2 Aurors. Sending a jet of black at one of the Aurors, it burst into a flurry of sparks, emitting thick black smoke. Instantly, she bolted off to the mansion, disillusioning her white half apparition form. Her body tingled. It was a trick she'd learn from Voldemort; to disillusion while flying. She could hear the rest following her lead as she headed back for the mansion.
~~~~~:~~~~~~
"My lord," Tonks bowed as she walked into the hall where Voldemort was talking to Snape. Snape was standing with his back straight, his face expressionless but paler than usual.
"Ah, Nymphadora," Voldemort turned to her, rising from his chair. Snape turned, meeting eyes with her but not acknowledging. Tonks knew the routine now. Never, never communicate secretly in the presence of all the Death eaters and their leader himself, "how was it?"
Tonks smirked; the special confident smirk that she realized Voldemort actually liked the most and gestured behind her where all the Azkaban prisoners they rescued shuffled in. Some bowed respectfully, some dropped to their stomach, kissing the floor. The numbers of Prisoners here overwhelmed Tonks herself. She just realized how many prisoners she actually released.
Voldemort's eyes sparkled with sick pleasure as he looked at his fellow Death Eaters; some going to Azkaban in glory, some in betrayal, "my friends, we meet, again."
"My lord," One particular death eater looked up with a hungry expression, "I'd die to serve you again!"
"Ah, dear Jugson," Voldemort took two steps forward. All of a sudden, his flicked his wand and Jugson fell to the ground in an undignified heap, howling in agony. Some death eaters shrunk back in fear but a few stood their ground, staring at Jugson. Tonks didn't miss the sneer that Malfoy had as they watched Jugson struggle.
"My-my lord!" Jugson choked out.
"Dear Jugson, what did you tell the Ministry?" Voldemort practically shrieked, the spell intensifying.
Perfect, another traitor for me to train my skills on-
"Nymphadora," Voldemort called her. Rolling her eyes, Tonks stepped forward, ignoring the sneer from Bellatrix.
"My Lord," Tonks bowed at the waist respectfully.
"Your training today shall begin," He smirked towards Jugson. Tonks sighed inwardly before steeling her exterior. This wasn't going to be pretty…
She thrust her wand out swiftly causing Jugson to grovel on the floor, writhing in pain but there was no screams.
"Nymphadora," Voldemort said, a warning…
Tonks instantly pressed onto it. Soon, Jugson was no less of screaming, kicking and even groveling at Tonks's feet, begging for mercy. In the background, Tonks was vaguely aware of Voldemort's laugh. She felt sick to the stomach seeing Jugson's eyes turn bloodshot.
"You haven't learnt well Nymphadora," Voldemort commented and the death eaters who were already on their knees cowered even more, afraid it would be their turn next. Tonks stopped her torture on Jugson, turning to face Voldemort, "is there a particular reason why you show mercy to Jugson?" He turned to face her, his chin inclined.
Tonks didn't rise to meet his stare; it was consider insolence, "I thought he deserves worse than a passing torture," She replied fluently.
"Lies!" He hissed and Tonks felt her torso burn from its inside out. She shuddered but didn't crumple, still holding her ground, insistent on not falling to the ground in a heap as she always did. The spell strengthened and Tonks clenched her teeth when she heard a gasp escape her but her wand never left her hand, her stance never moving. Her heart practically stopped beating. Her chest was on fire, quickly spreading to her stomach and then rising to her neck. Her old injuries stung. Her bones, she thought, had already melted into ooze inside her. It felt like someone just ripped out her intestines with her conscious and was chewing on them.
The atmosphere in the hall froze as Voldemort laughed, a sick echoing sound in the dark hall. The curse stopped, "You have outdone many of your seniors, Nymphadora!" He smirked, eyes flicking in sadistic amusement.
Tonks smirked, weakly, hearing Bellatrix snort.
"Do you not agree Bellatrix?" Voldemort turned to her, daring her to challenge.
"I beg to differ my Lord," Bellatrix merely answered confidently, "This wench couldn't even endure a simple training from me,"
"Bellatrix…Bellatrix…" Voldemort looked away, his tone almost sighing, his expression contemplative, "how shall we convince you?" He turned upon Tonks, narrowing his eyes into slits, "Nymphadora, what do you think we should do?"
Tonks stiffened, turning to glare at Bellatrix. Openly, her Aunt smirked at her.
"My Lord, may I suggest a duel?" Lucius Malfoy stepped forward, bowing.
"Excellent suggestion Lucius!" Voldemort's barely visible lips curled back to reveal sharp teeth, "Let's begin!" He waved his wand, hardly able to contain his excitement.
A vase smashed to the floor in unintended magic from Voldemort's wand, causing Jugson to cringe. He shuffled away quietly as Bellatrix cackled, shooting a spell across the hall at Tonks.
Tonks parried it away, glaring at her. She rose to her full height, her body flaring in pain but it didn't stop her; she'd had worst during their trainings where she lay on the floor, unable to get up till Voldemort struck her with a curse again and again until she did. Voldemort's eyes were glinting with excitement as he stood back. Sucking in a deep breath, Tonks retaliated and from there, a flurry of spells burst out from both their wands. Tonks clipped Bellatrix in the shoulder and in return, Tonks got a whiplash in her face, splitting out her skin at her cheek.
"Fight harder Nymphie!" Bellatrix shrieked, smirking, "Mama would be proud!" Tonks glared, tilting her wand sideways and firing an easy shot to her left side. Bellatrix's eyes widened before she used her wand to split the spells, redirecting it to the ground. In burst into the concrete causing marble tiles to shoot up, one slicing Bellatrix's face. Tonks smirked, morphing.
Her Aunt shrieked, her free hand cupping her wounded cheek, casting a quick spell and all the shrapnel vanished instantly but Bellatrix was stunned. In front of her stood no one. Her eyes darted around her. Everywhere, there were death eaters all watching the battle.
Voldemort laughed and that made Bellatrix more impatient. She lashed out at the closest death eaters, knowing Tonks could have easily taken on another form. Jensen yelped, ducking and Bellatrix instantly targeted another, growling in frustration as her spell hit Yaxley square in the face.
"Nymphadora is getting the best of you Bella," Voldemort commented by the side, smirking. Bellatrix ignored that comment, using it to fuel her power. She glared around her, lashing out at Lucius; who ducked aside in shock.
"Bellatrix!" Lucius hissed, whipping out his wand, dropping to his stomach to dodge another death curse from Bellatrix. Behind her, Voldemort was still laughing.
"Excellent, Nymphadora!" Voldemort praised, smirking. Bellatrix was shaking in fury and with a loud shrieked, the hall exploded. Everyone was blown off their feet and onto their back apart from the Dark Lord himself. Suddenly, Bellatrix caught sight of something.
"Harry Potter?" Her eyes widened and instantly, she shot a killing curse towards him, "What a smart trick dear Nymphie!"
Tonks dropped to her stomach, narrowly avoiding the curse. The spell to make an illusion to Death Eater attire faded to reveal her normal black cloak. Her morph slipped away as Tonks let it, revealing a smirk, "I'm thinking that was pretty stupid of me actually," Tonks teased.
"Impudent girl!" Bellatrix lunged out at her, firing two curse, the black curse hitting Tonks square in the chest as she parried away the first. Tonks had the wind knocked out of her as she fell to the floor, her chest erupting into a dull but painful ache. She ducked aside and the killing curse destroyed the floor where she used to be. A second killing curse flew towards her, threatening to hit her full in the face when another curse, which came from the dark lord himself, deflected it away. Both spell burst into the wall, setting it on fire.
Bellatrix looked up in shock at Voldemort. He has his wand in his hand.
"Very good Nymphadora!" Voldemort smirked.
~~~~~~~~~:~~~~~~~~~
"Bellatrix don't take kindly to being fooled around with," Snape said.
"Ouch!" Tonks winced, yanking her hand away, "I know you love her but don't pick on me!" She looked up from examining the burn on her arm to see Snape's sneer. She smiled, which quickly turned into a grin then a laugh, "I used to be scared of that," Tonks rolled her eyes upon quelling her laughter, "Now I just find that absolutely rude and annoying."
Snape was quiet, his wand trained on her arm.
"Dark Lord is pleased with you," Snape commented casually. Tonks shrugged, "it's your first mission and a success,"
"What are you trying to say?" Tonks sighed impatiently.
"You were born for this," Snape replied.
"Now don't you start too," Tonks scowled, glancing to check if her wand was still on the table.
"The Dark Lord might consider giving you the mark soon," Snape said. Tonks stiffened, her eyes staring blindly at the floor. This is not happening to me! She subconsciously began scrunching up her cloak in her fist, gritting her teeth. Snape paused, lowering his wand.
"Can I see yours?" She started hesitantly, turning to look at his arm. Snape placed his wand on the table. He unbuttoned his sleeves buttons and pulled up his sleeve. Her breath hitched in her throat as the Dark Mark was revealed to her. It was sickening to look at. The skull looked uncannily like Voldemort, its hollowed eyes staring right through her. The serpent from its mouth was moving just slightly. Hesitantly, Tonks lifted her hand, touching the mark. It was lumpy to the touch, just like a scar.
She gulped, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. Tonks hated how scared she was feeling. It's just a tattoo! Come on Tonks!
"Your hand is trembling," Snape stated, this time, surprisingly missing a sneer. Tonks blinked, removing her hand and pressing it to her thigh. Glaring at the floor with all her might as if it'd offended her. This was much better than feeling fear.
"Nymphadora," Snape tapped her shoulder, jerking his chin to the table. It was shaking, toppling over the daily prophet lying on it.
"Sorry," Tonks stuttered, trying to calm herself, "and don't call me Nymphadora,"
"The mark is nothing to be afraid of," Snape stated coldly.
"I'm not scared of it. I just don't want to have it and end up being like Bellatrix," Tonks scowled.
"You do resemble her," Snape raised both eyebrows.
Tonks rolled her eyes, "No I don't. I resemble my mother…"
"Andromeda Black look exactly like Bellatrix," Snape countered. Tonks growled, grabbing her wand, she stood and stomped out of the room, "There's a meeting tonight," He said after her before the front door slam shut.
~~~~~~~~~:~~~~~~~~~
Tonks sighed as she entered Grimmauld Place. The place was gloomy, holding a sense of foreboding.
From the kitchen, she could hear Sirius singing a drunken song. Tonks couldn't help but smile. She walked towards the kitchen, opening the door. And lo and behold, Sirius Black was sashaying around the kitchen, a bottle of fire whiskey in his hand.
"Hey Tonks!" Sirius slurred, "Didn't hear you trip over the stand," He smiled dreamily.
Tonks blushed, "No, I didn't trip," She frowned to herself, "you've been drinking again," She accused. With two brisk steps forward and quick reflexes, Tonks took the bottle from him, spilling some on him.
"Oi! Nymphie-"
"Don't call me that!" Tonks snapped, slamming the bottle down on the table.
"What?" Sirius protested, reaching for the bottle. Instantly, Tonks delivered a sharp resounding slap to his unshaven face. The impact sent him backing onto a seat behind him; his face jerked away from the force.
"Can't you just wake up for a moment? You're never sober!" Tonks shouted at him. Sirius blearily looked up at her, touching his quickly reddening cheek.
"Tonks, is something the matter?" Sirius blinked, trying to clear his head to talk to her.
"Yes, something is wrong," She growled.
"What is it? You can always tell me," Tonks watched with distaste as Sirius blearily reached out to pat her arm. She jerked away, cringing as if she'd been burn where her cousin touched her.
"No, I can't tell you. You're always drunk!" Tonks turned on her heels, furious as she left the kitchen.
Once she left the doorway, she found herself running right into someone else. Tonks stumbled back, startled. She felt a grip on her arm, helping to balance her before she fell back.
"Sorry,"
That voice… "Remus," Tonks nodded stiffly. His warmth from his large strong hands was comfortingly on her arms. There were more streaks of grey in his hair. The premature lines on his face were deeper but Remus was cleanly shaven.
"Your face, what-" Remus leaned forward, concerned at the gash on her cheek.
"It's nothing…" Tonks replied, mesmerised as he leaned closer. He looked like he was about to touch her cheek but his hand paused midway and he let it drop.
They stood there for a moment, his hands on her arm before Remus let go of her, "I heard shouting…" His velvety voice trailed off, his eyes never meeting hers.
"Yeah, that was me," Tonks replied quickly, upset, "Sirius is drunk… again." She slipped past him to head upstairs, "I'll be staying here for a while, if that's alright," Tonks informed quickly, avoiding eye contact with him. Without waiting for his reply, she went upstairs.
Her room she used to occupy whenever she was here was still untouched. The bed was made and the floor was clean. Tonks sighed, removing her robe, letting it drop to the floor. Walking to her bed, Tonks dropped down on it, wincing as she rolled on her wound. Half asleep, Tonks reached out and pulled the pillow to her, supporting her sore neck. For a moment, she could hear conversation down in the kitchen, then footsteps…whose it is…
Remus walked up the steps, his creaky joints aching. The last moon had not been kind…
Remus could still feel the warmth of her soft lips on his. Her smooth skin rubbing on his neck as her hands struggled to gain a hold of him by his hair. Her chin to his stubble; he felt embarrassed about it so shaved it the moment he got the chance. The feel of her slim hips under his hands…it was just…
Stop it Remus Lupin! Who do you think you are? What is she, 13 years younger than you? She's smart, beautiful, and lively, why would she even mix around with a gloomy old bookworm like you?
Remus chided himself inwardly. The conversation with Sirius hadn't been pretty. His heart ache at witnessing the disappointment in her eyes at her beloved cousin… Despite the reddish swollen mark on Sirius' cheek, Remus found the need to wake Sirius up. Remus had dragged Sirius to the sink, running his face directly under the faucet of cold water. Sirius choked and spluttered, sitting down on the floor.
"Moony, bloody hell!" Sirius growled, rubbing the water from his eyes. Water droplets clung onto his moustache.
"Really, wake up," Remus replied simply, "Other people need you to at least be sober," He couldn't help it as he glanced out the kitchen door.
Sirius ignored him, rubbing his face. Remus sighed and had headed upstairs.
At first, Remus had meant to return to his room but curiosity got the better of him. Remus found his legs going towards Tonks' room. He could still feel his hands burning of the feel of her arm under them. His heart was pounding against his chest, making him feel more nervous than he already did.
He hadn't seen her since they'd kissed. Remus tried to tell himself he was just keeping a simple promise but he couldn't. He tried convincing himself that soon, the remaining 2 requests would be used up too and that would be the last excuse he'd get of doing what she was asking. There was one thing Remus was so certain about. The kiss was a mistake. It'd left him yearning for her.
His eyes would die just to see her; see her healthy, happy… His hands wanted to feel her under them and he hated himself for that. Remus just couldn't bear the thought of him; a dirty old werewolf, touching her. Not to mention that he was old, the thought of someone like Tonks standing close to a dangerous dark creature like himself made him shudder.
Remus was well aware that she's an Auror but the experiences of war; the scars, had yet to find a way to her skin and neither would Remus want them to. In his eyes, she'll always be the young, lively and much too fragile Auror that needs protecting from the world, from him, especially.
But no matter how much he tried, he couldn't stay away from her. The sound of her voice, furious and shouting at Sirius made blood rush to his feet, forcing him to go down to take a look at her, even a peek.
Remus pushed the door open a small gap. There she is, sprawled on the bed with the pillow under her head. Her legs were hanging off the side of the bed. Her hair had taken on a sandy brown colour, forming waves around her head on the pillow. Her face was sallow, eye bags were forming under her weary and thin face.
Remus walked over to her, looking down to see her abandoned robe. Quietly, he picked it up, hanging it up behind the door. Then he made his way over to her, kneeling beside her. Her pale heart-shaped face was just facing him. Unable to stop himself, Remus reached out, his hand lingering over her cheek. He let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding and instantly, Remus pulled his hand away.
He closed his eyes, shaking his head. Remus John Lupin, what are you doing! You can't even pull the guts to go after the woman you love and here you are… How much of a lowly pathetic werewolf do you want to be?
Remus opened his eyes to see a large gash on her arm. He'd initially thought she'd tripped and hurt her cheek but seeing the gash on her arm too, Remus was sure Voldemort had got her doing things again…
He sighed, pulling out his wand. Remus mumbled an incantation he knew well. A small glow of white was emitted from the tip of his wand and Remus watched as her wound knitted itself together to form nothing but pale smooth skin under the torn cloth.
Tonks looked absolutely breathtaking in black. Remus didn't miss the resemblance of Tonks and Bellatrix in terms of looks and in terms of character. He didn't know Bellatrix well personally but judging from Sirius's character, he'd say that character is a common heredity passed down from generation to the next in the Black family. Tonks had her mother's soft features in contrast to Bellatrix's. Her eyes were a lovely shade of grey that Remus missed.
The black tight fitting dress she was wearing made Remus blush just when his eyes skimmed over it. He looked at her face, sleeping peacefully. Gently, Remus reached out, taking her gloved hand in his. He gently touched and weighed her hand in his. Then she stirred in her sleep, mumbling wordlessly. Remus froze but he didn't let go of her hand.
"Nymphadora," Remus found himself whispering to her. Part of him wished she could hear him, part of him wished she could just sleep and spare him the agony, "I'm sorry," He practically mouthed it out, "I love you but…" He sighed inwardly in frustration, hanging his head before her, "I-"
"Remus," A raspy voice called out softly from behind him.
Remus almost fell over.
Like a deer under the spotlight, he blurted, "Mad-Eye."
To be continued…
A/N: The reviews left for last chapter was lovely! Thank you and I hope you enjoy the little scene from Remus's sweet but a bit messed up POV, think of it as a thanks for all of the support (plus the extra long chapter)! Personally, this chapter definitely fell short of my expectations for the plot I had in line for this but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless and don't hesitate to drop me a note about anything annoying bad or a serious OOC you noticed! Just a short note here but the initial title of this chapter was 'kiss me' till I changed it to 'Mark', in more ways than one! ^^
Thank you to all my lovely readers and reviewers out there!
Starxedlovers: Thank you! I was wondering if the breakdown would be a good thing to put through, thank you for the feedback! Yes, I think you definitely got it there, she's just a poor girl, a lot of people (in the story) forgets that. Hope this gives you an insight where it is going!
Angelic94: Thank you so much! ^^ I'm really glad you like Mad-Eye's things with Tonks! Honestly, I'm not a fan of Snape but I'm kind of neutral about him. Glad I wrote him right. Thanks again!
2lazee2login: Thank you so much!
HammersNStrings: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed how I interpret her from the books and portrayed her. I can't say much without spoiling it but yes, Remus does know a little bit more about what's going on that he lets onto (: Thanks again! Hope this chapter gave you some insight on their relationship. Again, Snape and Tonks' relationship was definitely in this chapter (you guessed right)
DMSTonks: Short but thank you so much for that! ^^
AbsurdAnimals: I am updating now! (: Thank you! Hope this didn't disappoint!
Leave me a review! ^^