Chapter 24: Remembering

Tonks felt a pang of panic and fear; as it always struck in his presence. The other Order members froze while the Death Eaters cackled.

Harry cried out in pain, clutching his scar and sinking to the ground.

"Well done Nymphadora!" Voldemort laughed, it was the first time Tonks heard such exhilaration; though sadistic, in his voice.

Harry's eyes looked to be about to bulge out of its sockets as he looked at her. Tonks looked down, appearing to be submitting to Voldemort but in reality, she was ashamed. She let her curtain of dark black hair fall around her face and she dropped her morph. She could see many shocked faces from the Order members themselves as she looked up again; wearing her own face. Remus looked particularly light-headed.

"Lucius," Voldemort hissed, holding out his hand, "Give it to me," Lucius made to cross the room however the Order members spring into action then, all sending spells towards him.

Tonks watched in awe and somewhat revulsion as Voldemort parried away their spells lazily without a blink of his eye. He was now grinning in sick pleasure as he raised his wand. The green jet flew straight for Harry. Without hesitation, Sirius pulled his godson down. The spell hit the archway, holding the veil. The force, by itself, sent everyone in the room reeling. At the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Remus stumbling back. He was closer than she thought.

Tonks gasped, struggling to regain her balance. She watched as the veil collapsed and shattered with an almighty crash.

"Harry, Harry," Voldemort laughed, "We will see our fate together, shan't we?"

"Don't talk to my godson!" Sirius shot forward.

"Sirius!" Tonks lurched forward, grabbing his arm but Voldemort threw them off their feet with a sweep of his wand.

"Foolish, Nymphadora," Voldemort narrowed his eyes at her disapprovingly. It was more than enough time for the rest of the Order. All at once, Remus, Kingsley and Mad-Eye began dueling Voldemort, just able to keep themselves standing with their numbers.

The rest of the Death Eaters made to help but then Harry leaped off the ground, tackling Lucius. Everything slowed, almost having sort of an underwater quality to the scene as the Death Eaters froze in horror. Tonks watched as the prophecy slipped out of his hand, shattering on the ground.

"No!" Voldemort roared. For a second time that day, strong dark magic swept everyone and everything away. Tonks winced as the back of her head hit something hard.

"Harry, run! As I told you!" Sirius shouted from his position on the ground. Harry bolted. Nymphadora didn't wait another second. She half apparated herself; realizing that she was still mobile. She flew after Harry, hoping it seems like she was preventing his escape. She knew the Dark Lord will not be far behind.

Her body ached as she flew but she was gaining on Harry and if she was lucky, she might be able to help him get away by floo before Voldemort gets to them.

The boy was going to the Atrium and upon arriving, she knew why. Dumbledore stepped out of a fireplace in a flash of green fire.

She landed, stumbling.

"Why hello, Nymphadora," Dumbledore greeted, his voice neutral but he brandished his wand swiftly.

Turning, she saw Voldemort, a look of mild surprised and a little fear, Tonks' could've sworn she saw, flitted across his face.

"Tom, you shouldn't have come-"

Voldemort didn't wait, sending jet of green to Harry. Without a moment of hesitation, Dumbledore shoved Harry to the ground with strength beyond his old age. Tonks met Dumbledore's eye for a moment and instantly fall flat to the ground as the spells from Dumbledore's and Voldemort's wand collided. Tonks grimaced as she felt the heat licking at her skin.

Glancing up, Tonks glimpsed Voldemort summoning a large fiery snake. She hadn't had a moment to lose. She stumbled to her feet as she ran to Harry. The poor boy was curled up against the brick wall of the fireplace, his hands over his head.

"Harry!" Tonks wrapped her hand around his wrist only for Harry to lash out, his hands flailing as he tried to get away from her. She ducked frantically as a jet of curse skimmed pass her from Harry's wand, "Harry! I won't hurt you!" She snapped. Harry looked up. His striking green eyes studied her for a moment before they hardened with resolute and he nodded at her. Tonks heaved a sigh of relief inwardly, "Hit me," she stated and watched as his jaw drop.

"What-"

"Do it," Tonks said impatiently, "then take off to the fireplace and floo away,"

Harry bit his lips, his hand staying stubbornly at his side; shaking his head, "I'm not going to run away, Tonks." He turned away from her, staring at the floor.

"You are the boy who lived," She grabbed him around the shoulder, hissing at him, "you're the reason we're doing this, you have to understand how important you are."

Harry looked at her wide-eyed but recovered quickly to speak, "But-"

"If you die, this war is lost," She seethed, getting increasingly impatient.

"Tonks-"

"Everyone will be okay, you can't help here anymore," she murmured to him hurriedly, "I give you my word. Everyone will return safe and sound,"

Harry hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Stun me,"

Harry frowned doubtfully but did so. She felt the stunner hit in her square in the chest. Tonks fell back at being stunned at such a close range. Harry bolted for the fireplace.

"No!" she glanced back upon Voldemort's cry of rage. He was watching as Harry got away, "Get him!" Voldemort shrieked, struggling under the spell Dumbledore had pressed upon him.

Tonks got into action. She jumped up and stumbled after Harry. Just as she made a 'leap' at a last attempt to get Harry, he flooed away upon shooting her a small worried smile.

She fell flat on her face by the fireplace.

Tonks glanced back to see Voldemort practically getting mauled by Dumbledore. Silently, she prayed this is the end; this was where Dumbledore will finally kill him once and for all. But that would be too easy.

Suddenly, the fireplaces started bursting with green flames and Tonks instantly morphed, taking the form she had initially.

She watched as Voldemort glanced up to see the ministers filing in.

In another moment, Tonks watched with disdain as Voldemort half apparated away while the ministry workers stood gawking.

Tonks leaped into action. She just couldn't be caught. She half-apparated back to the veil room. The death eaters were still duelling the Order but Tonks didn't have a moment to spare. She landed in the middle of the room. Pointing her wand to the door that led to the atrium, Tonks sealed it temporarily with a strong spell. Satisfied, she pointed her wand to the ceiling and muttered an incantation. Green sparks flew up from her wand, bursting above her before forming a vivid green Dark Mark above her.

It was a signal for all the death eaters and they took it as such. Cackling madly, they all apparated away. Tonks waited for them. Within the death eaters, it was everyone for themselves. But within the order, the person in charged of the mission will also have the unsaid responsibility to make sure everyone was safe before leaving. Despite her current prospect, Tonks knew deep down that she wasn't trained by the death eaters; she was trained by Mad-Eye Moody and will always be part of the Order. So Tonks waited

Tonks looked up to see the green sparks that form the dark mark disappeared into a shower of sparks which started to fall around her.

She glimpsed Dolohov, who was dueling Remus, apparating away.

Tonks watched; her heart breaking as Remus rounded to look at her. She was standing atop the platform where the veil was destroyed.

He was weary and perhaps beaten but his eyes shone with worry and somewhat, longing. She too found that she couldn't look away. He took a step to her, pleading her not to leave with them. But to stay, forget the mission and stay with them where she would be safe. But Tonks knew she had a mission, she waved her wand and the room disappeared, as did Remus.

Tonks found herself outside the Riddle Mansion. The tall gates towering over her.

Around her, Death Eaters appeared. They all had grim looks on their faces. Most of them were bleeding and bruised but that didn't seem to bother them. Tonks turned to look at them to make sure she could account for the losses when she was asked. This was her first mission and Tonks had no idea how the after-mission chat would be like but in her gut, Tonks knew it wouldn't be pleasant.

She noticed only Jugson was missing. Tonks was surprised to see Jensen standing at the end of the group; grimacing in pain. Then her eyes skimmed over the rest.

Yaxley, Dolohov, Rowle, Sirius, Rookwood-

Tonks doubled back. There he is. Sirius Black, her beloved cousin was lying limply on the floor, his arm held by Rowle. He seemed unconscious.

"What have you done," Tonks hissed at Rowle. He barely flinched but rather narrowed his eyes and studied her suspiciously.

"I captured Sirius Black," He smirked, "And I will be heavily rewarded," He began laughing like a raving lunatic. Tonks rolled her eyes; she has had enough of madness for one day.

Tonks pulled her fist back and before Rowle could let out another sick laugh, Tonks punched him in the face, knocking him out cold.

"You-" Yaxley stepped forward but Tonks was already whipping out her wand, blind folding Sirius.

"This idiot could've just given away our location," Tonks growled, watching Yaxley warningly at the corner of her eye. He had a big build but she wasn't intimidated.

Yaxley looked doubtfully at her before letting it rest for now. Besides, the Dark Lord apparent favouritism upon her seems to speak volume about her place within the Death Eaters. Tonks made to grab for Sirius' arm but froze as she heard a cackle to her right. Bellatrix was looking at Sirius' unconscious body with a crazed gleam in her eye that couldn't possibly mean anything good.

Tonks glanced to see her Aunt wielding the wand. Bellatrix took a purposeful stride to Sirius and throwing all the caution to the wind, Tonks stepped in between them. Bellatrix scowled and then smirked.

"Insolent wretch, get out of my way," Bellatrix hissed, her voice sickly sweet.

"No," Tonks stated firmly, her wand too tightly clutched in her hand, "the fate of Black will lie with the Dark Lord's judgment,"

Bellatrix narrowed her eyes before seething, "the Dark Lord will let me have my way,"

Deep down, Tonks know that is exactly what the Dark Lord will do but on the exterior, Tonks knew what she had to do and she did exactly that; she remained calm, jutted her chin out in the haughty gesture she'd only seen in the Blacks and stride up to the mansion, dragging Sirius along.

She bit her lips. Now Sirius was here and so was she. But Tonks knew there is no way she could help him escape without giving herself away; not now at least. Tonks could only pray for her cousin as she herself dragged him into the serpent's lair where more horrors await.

"My Lord," Tonks bowed as did the others as they came to a stop in the hall. Voldemort was standing by the chair, one hand stroking Nagini, the other holding his wand carelessly. He stopped upon her greeting and before she knew it, he swept his wand across the room and everyone collapsed under the agony of the cruciatus curse.

Tonks felt like her body was being torn apart. She soon lost all sensation but the pain that set her body alight.

"Fools," Voldemort strutted up to them, Nagini following by his side. Tonks gritted her teeth, willing herself not to scream with the pain. She glimpsed Voldemort towering over Lucius who was writhing upon the floor. Voldemort smirked down at him and instantly, Lucius let out an agonizing howl. She winced for him.

Then she heard a sickening crack and Lucius howled even louder. Tonks squeezed her eyes shut; not wanting to see what Voldemort did to poor Lucius.

Then Voldemort rounded upon her, without letting up on his cruciatus curse, he lifted her magically off the ground so she was levitated at eye level to him.

"Nymphadora," He crooned, "you… disappoint me," Voldemort seethed, his blood red eyes furious.

Tonks steeled her gaze, "I will do better-" Before she could finish, she saw Voldemort brandish his wand at her. Without a second thought, he pressed the tip of his wand into her inner arm, where the scar sat.

Her arm burnt like never before. She screamed, not in pain but in horror. He was giving her the Dark Mark and Tonks know it. She could feel the tip of his wand seemingly drilling its way into her skin.

This Mark was more than what it seemed to everyone. She felt the burn in her arm beginning, then it spreaded. It slithered up her arm to her shoulder like a serpent and stopped at her chest where her heart was. The heat intensified, concentrated solely on her chest.

She wanted to yank her arm away but found herself completely immobilized. Without thought, Tonks threw her head back and let out another horrified scream.

The pain dug deeper and Tonks felt like she was about to burst from the heart. How anyone can survive this ordeal was completely unimaginable to her. No, it wasn't. This was exactly what she always wanted to be; different. All her life, that was what she is. Spoken like a true Hufflepuffs, there were no odds too great; Hufflepuffs do not fear hardship, they relish in it and thrive.

She struggled, choking on the pain in her chest as she tried to cry out again. She didn't want the mark; she didn't want to be bad.

Tonks clearly knew who she is and Voldemort is trying to change her, to recreate her.

Gritting her teeth to the pain, Tonks cried out in sheer anger. She felt the overwhelming release of magic from within her, riding the pain and allowing it to fuel her magic. Suddenly, she was on the floor, sprawled beside Sirius.

She glanced up to see that Voldemort was now about two paces away from her than he was previously. He was regarding her with narrowed eyes.

"What is this," She heard him mutter and glanced where he looked. On her arm was an angry red mark but it looked nothing more than a fading bruise. Roaring in rage, Voldemort began destroying the room. Tonks grimaced as a heavy tile hit her on the back but she stayed on the floor, shielding her head. The room itself shook. If Tonks was honestly, she was truly frightened. How were they to defeat someone so powerful?

She covered her ears, not wanting to listen to Voldemort's release of sheer fury and frustration.

"You," Voldemort stopped all of a sudden and the cruciatus curse suddenly began to ebb away. Around her, the death eaters started to relax, all on the floor. Tonks tried pathetically to scramble away but couldn't do it in time as Nagini lashed at her. The serpent wrapped its thick body around her neck, its long tail around her torso; suffocating her.

She spluttered for air but Nagini didn't relent till Voldemort took a step towards her.

"You really are something special," He leaned forward.

Tonks stared back defiantly, her hands gripped on the scaly body of Nagini which was wrapped firmly around her neck.

Then she felt the probe; it was so swift. It shattered her barriers but her last defense, the one shielding her true self. Voldemort saw Snape tending to her wounds, he saw Bellatrix torturing her, he saw Tonks running into Sirius' arms. Then he saw her dashing back to the veil, shooting the signal sky high and waiting as the death eaters tried to escape one by one. The images of her life were flashing by so fast Tonks felt her eyes roll to the back of her head. Her head threaten to burst from the pressure building up as her mind was overwhelmed.

Then it stopped abruptly. Voldemort had settled on one. It was one of Mad-Eye and her. They were on the floor and Tonks was huddled up into his arms, her shoulders shaking.

Tonks could feel the thrill run through Voldemort's twisted mind before he withdrew; smirking. She felt nausea.

"Are you going to kill me?" Tonks found her voice asking coldly. Nagini hissed at her but Tonks was unfazed.

Voldemort regarded her with cold amusement, "and is that what you want, Nymphadora? You rather die then serve me? Die than do my bidding and hurt your friends? Your mentor; our dear Alastor Moody?" He taunted her.

Tonks glared.

"It is a pity," Voldemort leaned back, her wand held casually in his hand, "but no, not today. You will die Nymphadora Tonks, but serving me and for me only."

She shuddered, her stand faltering. Deep down, what he wanted has already happened, in a matter of speaking. She has died because of him; the Nymphadora Tonks that was once colorful and filled with life and love. Now, Tonks would look in the mirror as she wore her bubblegum pink hair and wonder who on earth is looking back at her. She kept changing; Tonks was certain she'll forget who she is, eventually.

"No, I won't, not again," Tonks shot back, her voice shaky and weary.

Voldemort turned away and Nagini unfurled around her, leaving to drop lifelessly to the floor. She didn't resist as she felt someone drag her away from the hall. Even as that someone hauled her into the cell. She landed hard on her front but Tonks remained unmoving. She laid there even as she heard the cell door clank shut behind her.

She hurt; everywhere. Her head was throbbing prominently among other pains.

Somewhere else in the cell, Tonks could hear movement.

"Where-" The voice halted and groaned. It was then did Tonks realize she was hauled into the same cell as Sirius; who had just woken up. She listened to him groan and then scrambled to his feet. She lay there, unmoving.

All of a sudden, Tonks found herself sobbing quietly but she didn't move to rub her tears away. She left them to seep into the floor just like when she was just a small kid; when she didn't have anything else to worry about but the next bruise, where it would hurt really badly. Wasthatreallyher?

Her jumbled mind fumbled with the details, even the simplest but everything slipped from her grasp. As Sirius let out another groan, it struck her. She got herself landed here with no way out. Worst of all, she'd gotten Sirius captured; Sirius Black, her cousin whom she'd loved like a brother. She remembered now. She had a loving cousin, and he babysat her when she was young and lively. A strangled sob escape her as comprehension dawned.

"Nymphie?" she heard Sirius whisper somewhere behind her. Her fuzzy mind confirmed that he was calling her childhood nickname he used to annoy her. She didn't find the strength in her to reply him but the tears kept coming in hoards. Then Tonks felt Sirius scoop her up from the floor and into his arms. He gently maneuvered her so that she could rest her head on his shoulder, "shh," He hushed, pressing his cheek to the top of hers just like how he used to when she'd burst into tears from a fall.

"S-Sirius," She whimpered, "it's-it's all my fault…" Tonks cried, clinging onto his bloodied robe for dear life.

"My dear cousin, what on earth are you babbling about?" Sirius muttered, kissing her forehead.

"I-"

"Alright," He cooed at her again, beginning to rock back and forth subconsciously, "talk later," And Tonks clamped her mouth shut, burying her face into his shoulder.

She felt ridiculously childish but Tonks couldn't stop it. Her body ached, her mind was in fragments and she was frightened; she couldn't stop her limbs from trembling in sheer terror but Sirius was surprisingly patient with her; even when they were both stuck in this cold place. Then, Tonks began to realise; this is the true spirit of a Gryffindor. It was bravery. In the face of danger, they'd laugh, they'd cry but they'd never cower.

Not like her.

But Tonks didn't let that bother her. It wasn't just because she was a proud Hufflepuff; it wasn't the point. The point was she has a brother and he is a Gryffindor; and he is here, to protect her.

"Nymphie?" Sirius spoke when she stopped sobbing and her body stopped trembling in erratic hiccups, "better?" he smoothed her hair back from her face.

Tonks reckoned she looked horrible with her pale face and red rimmed eyes but she really couldn't care less. She knew Sirius had seen her like that more than a couple of time when he'd babysat her. She bit her lips, nodding.

"Okay," Sirius took a deep breath, "Where the hell are we?" He asked with a ridiculously serious expression.

Tonks couldn't help but let out a watery giggle, "In the dungeon," Sirius cracked a smile.

"Lemme guess, we're in trouble again eh?" He smirked; his tone as if he's asking about how they ended up in detention from a school prank. She nodded solemnly and Sirius laughed, "Got my wand?" Sirius patted his pocket.

"No. And I don't have mine either," She shook her head, smiles gone.

Sirius sighed.

"Sirius," Tonks murmured, curling up in his embrace, "I hardly remember…"

"Did you get hurt?" He ran his hand over her scalp.

She shook her head, impatiently avoiding his concerned touch, "myself. I'm forgetting who I was,"

"Am," Sirius corrected, "as far as I'm concerned, Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks has always been the same, from the day she crawled around in her nappies to this very moment."

Tonks raised her brows.

"Alright, maybe not so much the same, physically-"

"I'm not the same," Tonks interrupted, not wanting to hear anymore of Sirius' jokes. This is not the time.

"You are," Sirius replied simply, "where it matters, you have never changed,"

"No-"

"Your heart, Nymphie," Sirius whispered, "I see it every time I see you. And to this day, it remains pure," He kissed her temple, "give yourself time. Calm down. You will remember everything as clear as day. I'd bet it's getting all fuzzy in there," He teased momentarily before he continued; "Some people might ring a bell. Remus, for example."

Tonks ignored the gleam of tease in his eyes and that smirk as she pondered the name. Her bruised heart swelled and warmed, in a comforting manner.

"Remus…" She murmured, "Remus John Lupin."

"Last time I checked, that's his name," Sirius declared, his eyes brightening significantly. Tonks manage a chuckle as she thought.

"I love him," She realised. She felt Sirius shudder dramatically.

"Cousin, spare me the gory details," He shivered. Tonks laughed. She still couldn't pull a face from the name. The faces are all jumbled up as well. But somehow, the name itself tugged at her heartstrings endearingly.

"He looked into me," Tonks spoke softly into his robes, "he made a mess of them," her finger lightly traced the top of the tattoo on his chest that was peeking out from beneath his robes.

"Legilimency," Sirius mumbled and he sighed in realization. Tonks, however, frowned, even more puzzled, "Nymphie, just rest alright. Don't think too hard. It'll all rearrange itself in a while."

If she was confused before, she was completely lost now. Tonks didn't identify many memories with her beloved cousin but she knew one thing; Sirius Black was erratic.

Silence enveloped the pair before Tonks felt the need to speak, "What do you remember? From before," Tonks asked soberly.

Suddenly, Sirius looked sheepish, "Not much. One minute I was there, the next, I see you sending the dark mark into the air and I felt something behind me. Then, I'm here," Sirius rubbed the back of his head, wincing.

"Rowle," Tonks supplied, the name clicking into place with the scenario he explained to her.

Sirius muttered an incoherent curse before gazing down at her with genuine concern, "how are you feeling now?"

"Sore," Tonks admitted but couldn't help but laugh when Sirius waggled an eyebrow at her, "not like that pervert!" Leave it to Sirius Black to make her laugh in situations like that.

"What did he do to you?" Sirius growled.

Tonks hesitated, searching her mind before providing the answer cautiously, "It's my punishment," Tonks shrugged, the words flowing out of her mouth easier than she'd thought it would, "Lucius didn't get it any better either,"

Sirius grinned, "I'd bet. Harry always had the fight in him, just like James." They let the silence fill the cell for a moment, both lost in thought.

Tonks found her mind gravitating back to Remus John Lupin. To his moment, he remained a mystery. The only face she remembered clearly was that of the Dark Lord, his bloodshot eyes glaring at her, his already thin lips pursed. Remus loved to read…Tonks remembered, the picture forming; still frustratingly without a face. He was cradling a book in his hands, then…then it was her in his arms. The pieces snapped into place like a puzzle.

He loved her. They'd kissed but nothing much more intimate than that. Remus was a werewolf, he was Sirius' best mate from school and he is in the Order of Phoenix. That was how she met him.

"What are you smiling about?" Sirius teased, poking her rib gently.

"Remus," She blurted and Tonks blushed, berating herself. She dared a glance to see Sirius smirking.

"You're obsessed with him Cuz. Even in the midst of amnesia!" He marveled in feign awe. Tonks blinked.

They were in Grimmauld; Remus was leaning over the table close to her, too close. She'd kissed him. He looked startled but pleased. He looked wonderful in simple cardigan over a worn shirt and trousers. Tonks loved the ways his eyes shifted as he took in the sight of her; when they softened from contemplating to confusion before elation.

"Ohh… So some people have been busy last night…" Sirius smirked, that mischievous marauder grin showing, "I've missed a good show!" He lamented dramatically.

"Nip it, Padfoot!" Tonks snapped, pelting dried bread on Sirius. A smile played on her lips as she sipped the hot chocolate, moaning as the sweet and warm drink flowed down to her stomach. She glanced up to see Remus round the table and took a seat opposite her.

"Moony does make the most delicious chocolate…He is more responsible than me…" Sirius held his chin contemplatively, the mischievous look in his eyes betraying his serious expression, "but I'm more handsome! And…I'm more fun!" He protested, looking up like a child.

"And more childish," Tonks grinned, glancing at Remus. He too had a slight smile on.

"Oi! I resent that!" Sirius scowled, "I am a mature-" Both Tonks and Remus cleared their throats, coughing deliberately.

"Oh, so you cleaned yourself up to impress me?" Tonks bit her lips, smiling. Sirius turned to her in what looked like a lovesick git.

Sirius spread his arms theatrically, "You have no idea how much I pined for you my-"

"Stop," Tonks stuck her tongue out in disgust.

Sirius laughed, "You have no idea how Moony do that," He playfully glared at Remus.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind if that were the case. A little Gilderoy Lockhart is good but just…not on you," Tonks stood, finishing up her hot chocolate and helping herself to two biscuits on the table. She walked around to Remus and hugged him briefly, "Off to work," She mumbled into his ear, mildly pressing her lips to the soft spot below his ear.

"Careful," He muttered as they separated.

Subconsciously, Tonks reached up to brush her lips with her fingers, trying to memorise and submit to permanent memory the feel of his skin under them. However, she winced as they came in contact with a painfully split bottom lip.

"I love him," Tonks concluded decidedly, looking up at Sirius to register his reaction. He smiled, instead of her expected response of a gag.

"I know. And he loves you back," Sirius smirked, "get that into your skull please," Tonks giggled, squirming as he tickled her side. Their amusement soon faded as almost at the same time, the cold of the dungeon bit down on their skin.

"What does he say he want with us?" Sirius asked.

"I don't know," Tonks mumbled, running her finger down her inner arm where the scar is, "He tried to give me the mark…"

"What?" Sirius bolted upright, startling Tonks. He anxiously reached for her arm, searching both before looking up at her in puzzlement, "where-"

"It didn't work," Tonks pursed her lips.

"How?" Sirius frowned, "No one has ever…"

"I know," She grumble, frustrated, "Sirius," She sat up, facing him earnestly, "when he tried to give me the mark, I can feel that thing tugging at me. I didn't give in. There was too much at stake and I cracked. I couldn't take another minute of it. I just cracked. I couldn't bring up my defenses when he-" Her voice turned hoarse, "I failed Sirius, he knows now. I-"

"Cousin, listen to me," Sirius cupped her face in his hands, putting a stop to her incessant babbling; "you didn't crack. You're so brave. Your loyalty gives you that. Even the Mark couldn't take that away from you,"

"Sirius…" Tonks' vision blurred as her eyes fill up with tears, "I don't want to stay here anymore," She found herself scrunching up the front of his robes in her fists, "take me away from here, please," She shook him weakly.

Sirius nodded, "Okay, Nymphie, I promise. I'll get you out of here, forever." He coaxed her, wiping her tears away with his thumb gently.

Remus was pacing again. His hair was in a haphazard mess. Glancing up, Mad-Eye was sitting but his mechanical blue eye was whirling so fast that it made Remus nausea from looking at it. The old Auror had his wand clutched in one hand, his walking stick in another. Kingsley was sitting rigidly beside Mad-Eye, his fingers tented on the table in front of him. Opposite Kingsley, Arthur was glaring ahead. Remus had never seen the patriarch of the Weasley family so furious.

Bill was sitting closest to Remus, a clenched fist on the table. Tension filled the air as the no one spoke.

The kids were safely brought to Hogwarts to get treated from their wounds. Dumbledore had returned to Hogwarts. The Order had returned to Grimmauld but realized there was one of them missing; Sirius. They hadn't bothered with their wounds despite the fact that many of them were covered in cuts and bruises, some which bled. They were awaiting instructions from their leader.

Kingsley had sent a patronus to Dumbledore at Hogwarts about Sirius' absence and probably, capture and now they were awaiting the reply.

Remus broke the silence, running a hand through his hair with a frustrated sigh. Nymphadora was also out there. Remus isn't stupid. She was on this mission. That woman who had held a striking resemblance to Bellatrix Lestrange was her. At first, Remus had mistaken her for Bellatrix.

He'd attacked her out of a moment of anger which he saw her looking towards Sirius and Harry. When she'd turn to meet his eye, Remus knew she wasn't Lestrange but he also knew she's a death eater. He'd attacked her mercilessly till he'd finally got the best of her. She was distracted and one moment was all it took for Remus to cast the leg locker on her. But when Remus was ready to deliver the final blow, he just stopped. At that time, Remus had berated and cursed but he didn't even think the spell.

He stared.

He recognized her when their eyes had met. Her jaw was set in a stubbornness that only rivaled Sirius but through her eyes, Remus knew she trusted him and he was confused. But realization sank in just as she released herself and bolt off to help Mad-Eye. Then, Remus couldn't have been surer whom he'd dueled and hurt.

He'd cursed himself and stared after her and paid the price when Dolohov hit him with a curse that sent him to the ground. The rest ended quickly. Mad-Eye ordered them all to evacuate immediately upon the Death Eater's departure and here they were; sitting while Sirius and Nymphadora suffered at the hands of Voldemort.

Remus' heart wrenched painfully at the thought. He'd foolishly expressed his desire for her to stay when she'd made to go off after the rest of the Death Eater. Remus already knew what she was going back to but since the prophecy was shattered; the treatment they were getting was a whole other story. He'd plead with her and Remus saw the torn look in her eyes before she left anyway. He had made it even harder for her and he hated himself for that.

"Remus," Bill placed a hand on his shoulder.

Remus turned to regard Bill, unable to find it in him to nod. Until Bill flinched then did Remus realized he'd glared at the poor boy.

Then everyone jumped out their seat, having heard the door to Grimmauld open. For a moment there, Remus' heart filled with hope of the possibility of seeing Nymphadora walk through that door, dragging Sirius behind her. But that wasn't possible and true enough, Dumbledore walked calmly through the door, taking a seat at the head of the table.

"I understand from Kingsley's patronus that Sirius hadn't returned?" Dumbledore spoke, still the picture of calmness. Remus didn't appreciate it though; the worry was driving him insane. Around the table, most of them nodded. "At this time, we have no way of retrieving Sirius. If he's still at the ministry, I am certain, we will know of this. However if Sirius is captured, Nymphadora and Severus will see to it and we will only act till further notice,"

Remus found himself sitting opposite Dumbledore, his fist clenched till his knuckles were white. His fists, which were on the table, were trembling. He couldn't hear Mad-Eye speak to Dumbledore. He just heard the deafening roar of worry in his ears, making his head hurt. Dumbledore was asking them to sit tight and wait. Remus wasn't sure he could wait anymore.

"Is there no way we can contact Severus-" Bill asked but Dumbledore raised a hand to stop him.

"Severus will contact us when he have any information that may be of use to us that might help us save Sirius," Dumbledore replied, "Contacting Severus will only endanger his position,"

"And what about Nymphadora?" Remus spoke through gritted teeth.

"Nymphadora will also contact us when she-"

"That's not what I meant," Remus interrupted before he could stop himself, "how will we get her out?"

"Nymphadora will be just fine-"

"She is not fine. He will punish her. Voldemort," Bill and Arthur cringed, "will punish her tonight. Don't you all see? This is her mission. And she failed," Remus looked up to see the idea he propose sink into their heads. Bill paled, Mad-Eye was now glaring at the table, Kingsley buried his face in his hands, and Arthur tensed.

"Remus," Dumbledore paused, "at this moment, we can only keep our calm and wait for Severus to provide us with inside information before we can act upon what we are given. It will be pointless to go on a blind hunt,"

Remus stared at the headmaster for a moment, feeling rage threaten to spill. Rubbing his face furiously with both his hands, Remus stood and bolted up the stairs. He had to get away before he exploded of fury. Despite that full moon was still weeks away, Remus could feel the wolf feeding on his anger hungrily, encouraging him to lose it completely. But as Remus had done this all his life, he kept himself in check, contained the wolf, smoldered the fury with restrain.

Gritting his teeth, refusing to give in to his anger, Remus closed the door to the Black library numbly before turning on the arm chair. Before he could stop himself, he found himself kicking it over magnificently. It took a tumbled, landing noiselessly on the carpet. A tempting thought of destroying it completely came to his mind but Remus clenched his fists, closed his eyes and took a deep breath; regaining control of himself.

He sighed heavily, collapsing wearily into the soft long couch, burying his face into his hands.

Remus let out a long sigh, filled with despair and aching worry, "Nymphadora…"

To be continued…

A/N: I am aware that this is cruelly late but you all have writers' block to thank for that.

This chapter seems to be mainly around interaction between Tonks and Sirius and a little cousin-ly love in the air (RL/NT all the way!). This chapter was originally longer than this but I cut it down, bringing some parts of this chapter to the next so consider the next about a quarter done but still no guarantee when the next one will be up. Hopefully soon!

This chapter may or may not have loads of errors as I did the quick run through check to see it flows properly but I did it with my eyes half closed. I will come back to read this and edit it when errors are spotted so feel free to point them out!

Thanks so much to the readers who inspired this chapter!

newRLNTfan: Thank you so much! This story is AU and much harder to maintain the balance. Haha, you're right but I'm afraid Lupin's 'noble' spirit will definitely come into play a part in this, even if only one or two sentences in this thoughts (minor spoiler though I'm sure no surprises there). Thanks so much again! Admittedly, that was difficult to write, seeing Lupin is so proper and it's harder to anticipate the response of those characters! Thank you!

tt crews: I know how torturing this is but no promises there ;) I think Sirius' fate has obviously not yet been revealed by this chapter but you get the idea of where this is going with Sirius stuck being captured and all. Thank you so much!

Nymphadora-Remus4ever: Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Haha, hope this ending is not as suspenseful as the last!

Shadowmaster2323: Thank you so much! Sorry for the seriously long wait!

ME: Haha, hopefully, this ending isn't as painful (: Thanks so much!

Reilly: Thank you so much! Glad you liked it! It can't be avoided ;) I can't resist.

TheMaraudersAreTOTALLYAWESOME: Thank you! Haha, when you put it like that, it does sound ridiculous for Tonks but that is how it is for spies ;)

DMSTonks: Haha, I think this chapter burst your bubble a little? Sirius' fate is apparently still on the edge ;) sorry for the suspense (with Sirius still captured and everything). Thank you for taking time to review!

LEAVE A REVIEW! Useful stuff those are, against writers' block :)