Chapter 25: Control

Tonks stirred, sitting up to realise she's been lying beside Sirius the whole time. It was just like how they used to cuddle up and sleep on the carpet by the fireplace; much to Andromeda's annoyance.

Sirius was lying on his back, snoring a little. He looked absolutely at ease despite sleeping in a cold cell. His right arm was slung over her shoulder, his left hand resting over her ear, where he'd stop patting down her hair when he fell asleep.

She smiled. She had a charming cousin, Tonks realised. If he wasn't an Azkaban escapee with the whole Magical Law Enforcement looking for him, Tonks was certain he'll be so busy dating they'll hardly see him around in Grimmauld.

She chuckled at the life Sirius Black could have led if he wasn't framed; if Peter Pettigrew had been caught. Remus still blamed himself to this day and Tonks knew even time would never ravage the guilt of that man; the noble Gryffindor spirit could be so annoying sometimes.

Tonks jumped, startled, as the gate creaked open. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts she hadn't notice someone walk down to the dungeon.

Sirius jolted awake and sat up, his right arm still around Tonks. She squinted into the dark to see a figure closing in on them; followed closely by another behind the first. She tensed; her instinct kicking in.

The person ahead cackled hysterically.

Tonks felt her blood run cold in her veins. Sirius stiffened and tightened his hold around her.

"Bella," Sirius barked a laugh, "To what do I owe such honor?" Tonks turned to see his infamous Black smirk.

"Sirius Black," Bellatrix lit her wand non-verbally so they could see the crazed look in her eyes, "Mingling with this wretch in the dungeon? Marrying cousins has been a tradition but this little piece of shit-"

"Don't finish that!" Sirius growled.

Tonks rolled her eyes at Bellatrix, glancing behind her to see Narcissa. She was fiddling with her wand and looking at them with disdain.

"What is this?" Tonks blurted, her voice cold, "Some family reunion?"

Bellatrix snorted, "We, Blacks, don't mix with products of mudbloods."

"They produce a better lot than the Blacks do," Sirius muttered and before either of them could duck, Tonks heard a whiplash and felt something hit her around the cheek. She fell back, away from Sirius, hitting the back of her head on the floor. Starburst exploded in her vision as she blinked. Her cheek stung.

She scrambled up to see Sirius on his back as well, laughing. A large welt was forming on his cheek.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix screeched and Sirius shriveled up, screaming in sheer agony. Tonks lunged at Bellatrix impulsively, seeing there's nothing else she could do. They tumbled into a heap on the floor with Tonks clawing recklessly at her Aunt with her nails.

"Avada Kedavra!" She shrieked and Tonks felt an arm wrap around her middle, pulling her off Bellatrix. She fell back just as the jet of green skimmed her face. It collided with the wall of the dungeon, sending chipped off rocks ricocheting around the dungeon.

"Nymph, are you okay?" Sirius, whom she owed her life to, scrambled to lean forward. His eyes were wide.

"No," Bellatrix cackled and Tonks collapsed, refusing to scream and give in to the pain. It surged into her body, tearing her insides to bits and putting them to a familiar but never less agonizing inferno, as she writhed.

Remus jolted upright. He groaned, his sore neck aching sharply. Bringing up a hand to knead his sore and tensed neck, he stood from the couch and glanced around. He was in the Black Library. Then Remus realized he'd fallen asleep. For a moment, he wondered where Sirius was but then it hit him like a ton of bricks.

He was missing; captured probably.

And Nymphadora…

He felt a dull hollow ache in his chest.

Remus closed his eyes momentarily before he heard a loud crash downstairs. He jumped, startled before whipping out his wand and running downstairs. He ignored Walburga Black's screeching portrait and burst into the kitchen.

Mad-Eye was sitting in the chair in the otherwise empty kitchen. Remus glanced towards the counter to see a shattered ceramic pot.

"Accident," Mad-Eye muttered in his more than usual raspy voice.

He relaxed, stowing away his wand and rounding the table, taking furtive glances towards the shattered pot. It looked gruesome. Its fragments were in small bits and pieces, not a single piece of the poor pot looked bigger than Remus's palm. He didn't know what happened but he knew Alastor Moody didn't have accidents. Mad-Eye was always cautious and Remus wondered why he even allowed this to happen now.

Remus took a glance at the Auror, puzzled. Mad-Eye had a hand on his walking stick, the other on the table, curled in a tight fist. The retired auror himself was staring at the table with both eyes intently, as if willing the table to collapse under the mere probe of his stare.

Comprehension dawned slowly on Remus' heavily laden mind. He himself had done accidental magic, especially when he was young. It wasn't something he could explain. It just came and went as it wished; when he felt angry, or even extreme agony or fear could bring about accidental magic.

For a moment, Remus looked upon the old retired Auror with a different eye. Mad-Eye isn't just a ridiculously paranoid and heartless ex-Auror as everyone thought. He was a person who has been through a lot more than anyone could understand. Mad-Eye, like everyone else, too had emotions that sometimes he couldn't control. Guilt filled Remus as it occurred to him that he had never thought of Mad-Eye that way.

No one truly knew him; on a personal level. Maybe Dumbledore but he could very well be the only man alive to this day who even knew Mad-Eye. There was not another soul who knew the man who once smiled or wept, the man who had no qualms about revealing his emotions to the people around him.

Mad-Eye hid them so well now that Remus wondered if Moody had always been like that. Without a weakness, such as losing control of his emotions.

"Don't look so surprised boy," Mad-Eye spoke impatiently; his strident voice startling Remus.

Remus fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat when he realized Mad-Eye was looking at him now, very attentively and that he had just called him, Remus Lupin, aboy… Suddenly, Mad-Eye made him feel small.

"Sorry," Remus averted his stare, watching the wood of the table.

"I told Albus. I tried to tell him this would happen," Mad-Eye grunted all of a sudden and once again, Remus was surprised to hear resentment in his surly tone, "but he wouldn't listen. He insisted she was more than capable-"

"Nymphadora is capable," Remus blurted and regretted it as Mad-Eye stopped talking and stared at him. "I have all the faith in her abilities, as an Auror." Remus continued.

"As do I," Remus could not deny the slight affection in his tone as he said it, "but this isn't about her capability. This is life or death, and a little luck," with that, Mad-Eye stood, pushing back the wooden chair which emitted a jarring grating sound of wood against concrete.

Remus cringed as the truth hit him. This is true. No matter now capable Nymphadora is, she could never defeat or even outrun so many experience death eaters and Voldemort himself. Her fate was now completely dependant on Voldemort's decision. Then Remus did something he'd never thought he would do or have ever believed in since he'd been bitten. Remus prayed.

Agony was all she could feel and recall for the past hour. Her ears were roaring, blocking out whatever sounds that was emitted around her. She lay limply on the cold floor, her head was reeling and she was sure it was bleeding but she couldn't feel it.

However, her mind remained sturdy. Bit by bit, her memories were pieces itself together. She began to fabricate an ideal world; where there was no pain or suffering, just love. It acted as a sanctuary, for where her mind could retreat in time of trouble, times like this.

She blinked, seeing a blurry version of her Aunt's feet nearing her. She could hear speaking in a high pitched mockery but couldn't make out the words. Suddenly, she was magically lifted at the tip of Bellatrix's wand. Her vision came into focus and Tonks could see Sirius also held immobilised at the tip of Narcissa's wand. He looked hysterical. Her cousin was screaming at Bellatrix but her ears didn't acknowledge it.

Suddenly, she was thrown back against the stone wall and Tonks felt the back of her head hit the wall.

"No!" Sirius' roar filled her ears.

Tonks had completely lost sensation of her limbs. They felt unattached to her. She watched blearily as Bellatrix sauntered towards her, a smirk on her lips.

"No! Do it to me! Torture me!" Sirius bellowed, "Leave her alone!" His last cry sounded more pleading than demanding and Tonks cringed.

Bellatrix paused, cackling, "As attractive is the offer dear Sirius, why would I do that? When I can watch you writhe in pain by beating this little wretch?"

Tonks glimpsed Narcissa cringe and she did a double take. Was that really a cringe?

"Cissy, closer. So he can watch his baby cousin hurt," Bellatrix cooed in a sickeningly high pitched voice, bursting out with laughter.

"You're sick," Sirius spat.

Tonks struggled to clear her blurring vision and saw Sirius nearing her, at the mercy of Narcissa Malfoy. She saw Bellatrix open her mouth to mutter another curse but before the pain could hit her, the cell door creaked open.

Snape appeared at the entrance, taking in the scene with pursed lips before turning to Bellatrix, "You overdid it,"

"The Dark Lord didn't specify how I shall go around pruning my family tree, Severus," Bellatrix sneered and turned to face Snape fully.

"You're supposed to keep her alive," Snape droned; his tone monotonous and completely devoid of any emotion.

"She is," Bellatrix replied lazily; a tinge of disappointment in her voice.

"Barely," Snape retorted.

"Bella," Narcissa spoke, "this will be enough for today. Anymore and we will have killed her," A beat, "The Dark Lord will not be pleased,"

Bellatrix glanced between Tonks' limpless form leaning against the wall and Sirius who was watching his cousin with pained desperation.

With a light huff, Bellatrix and Narcissa strutted out of the dungeon, the former glaring at Severus as she passed him.

Tonks heard Sirius collapse to the floor beside her as Narcissa's levitation charm on him faded upon her departure.

"Cuz," Sirius breathed and Tonks felt herself being lifted off the wall and into his warm embrace. Her wounds were beginning to sting as the seemingly endless pain faded, "are you alright?" He murmured before chuckling bitterly, "What am I asking? Of course you're not…" Sirius pulled her closer in a gentle hug.

"Sirius," She managed, barely audible. He pulled back and Tonks realized there were tears in his eyes. Sirius glanced up before fixing his gaze on the floor.

"Thank you," Sirius said thickly, blinking away tears.

"Feed this to her," Snape muttered, tossing a vial to Sirius. He caught it neatly, popping open the cork with fumbling fingers.

"What it is?" Sirius asked quietly as he hesitated.

"It will lessen the exceptionally agonizing effect that Dark Magic tended to have on its victims," His lips curled in distaste at Sirius.

Sirius questioned no further, "Here," Sirius whispered as it held up Tonks' head, gently tipping the potion into her mouth.

"No," Tonks murmured as the vile tasting dark liquid touch her tongue, her brows furrowing as she tried to squirm away, twisting her head away from him.

"Hey, come on," Sirius urged her gently, squeezing her around the shoulders. It hurt, a little but she wasn't about to whine about it and make him worry more. Tonks bit her lips and glanced blearily at him.

His brows were furrowed together, watching her intently. His eyes are a deep grey, just like hers. Both their parents as well as most of the Blacks had black iris. She blinked, missing what he'd said in her reverie but he pressed the lip of the vial to her mouth. Tonks would've rolled her eyes at his insistence if not for the fatigue eating at her. She relented and took the potion, her nose scrunching up as the bitter taste hit her throat.

She missed little moments like this. She had not seen her cousin acting his way for a long time and despite the situation, Tonks was thankful Sirius was here. With his presence, it made being tortured –as crazy this sounded- more bearable. He was solid, real and he loved and cared for her. With him here, Tonks could be certain she was not losing her mind; that this torture has not been what her whole life was and somewhere out there, she had people who loved her and whom she loved very much.

The potion was finished and Tonks felt her eyelids get heavier. She leaned into Sirius' chest, heaving a small sigh of relief everything was finally over; for today. Sleep tug at her mind; a tempting offer that she was most probably accepting if not for the unexpected beginning of a conversation.

"What does he want with us?" Sirius looked up and asked; defeated. Tonks was admittedly surprised. She had never heard him like that. Even when his own mother disowned him, his voice was always one of bravery and defiance.

"Us?" Snape muttered, narrowing his eyes, "There is never an 'us', Black. The Dark Lord wants Nymphadora's allegiance. You, you are just a pawn,"

"Why?" Sirius scowled, "why Nymphadora? She's just a girl…my baby cousin," she saw Sirius glance down at her, worried and Tonks felt a tinge akin to annoyance at his babying her but then she felt loved and touched.

"Just a girl," Snape echoed with a sneer, "who also happens to be an Auror and a Metamorphagus,"

"A polyjuice potion and one of his death eaters will suffice," Sirius snapped, his arms tightening firmly around her.

"Black, you really are naïve," Snape folded his arms across his chest haughtily but Sirius barely blinked at the insult, "Nymphadora isn't all the Dark Lord wants. It's the victory,"

Sirius paused a beat.

"It's sick," Sirius spat, "She's my cousin! She's my family! I won't let him do that to her."

"Your bravery is commendable but if you want to get out of here alive, I suggest you do as I tell you," Snape retorted, "The dark lord will not hesitated to kill you I will not hesitate to let you die,"

"Fine," Sirius hissed, "just not her,"

Snape snorted, "Gryffindors and they're stupidity,"

Sirius swallowed his retort, "What are you going at?" He demanded.

"I can get you out of here," Snape pursed his lips as if that very idea disgusted him.

Sirius regarded the offer suspiciously, "And Nymphadora?" They both ignored the small whine of protest at the mention of her name.

"Will live," Snape said, without missing a beat, "as long as Sirius Black does exactly as I say," His expression may have passed as being a little smug and that of gloating, if Sirius still cared about antagonizing him.

Sirius glared, "How?"

"You have to give me your word that you will," Snape raised both brows as if doubting Sirius' intellect.

"Just tell me what I need to do,"

"Remus?"

Remus sighed, running his hands through his hair before standing up. He straightened his crumpled cardigan a little before yanking open the door.

Molly Weasley stood there, looking on with worry in her eyes.

"We've had dinner and we're about to start the meeting," She frowned, nose wrinkling in disapproval as she regarded Remus.

He ran his hand through his hair again before nodding, "Just let me wash up and I'll be down in the moment," Remus forced a smile at the kind matriarch before closing the door. He snatched up his wand from the table and glanced around the room before heading for the bathroom.

Remus cringed at his reflection. His hair was disheveled and his eyes were sallow and dark eye rings circled them, evidently from the lack of sleep. He looked like an old and homeless man. Remus chuckled bitterly at that thought. He probably would've been by this time if not for Sirius' generosity.

Sirius… and Nymphadora. Neither of them has been accounted for. Remus felt a dull ache in his chest that he'd grown accustomed to. He didn't know where they were, he didn't even know if the two most important people in his life are even alive.

He let out a frustrated sigh and combed his fingers through his hair roughly. It only worked to make his hair look more disheveled than it was. Remus hated feeling helpless. It reminded him of the mornings after a full moon when he'd have to lie there; naked and hurt, till someone comes along to help him or till he finds the strength to crawl into bed.

He lifted his wand and started cleaning himself up numbly. Without another glance at the mirror, Remus slipped out of the bathroom and walked down the stairs. As he descended the last flight, he half expected to see Nymphadora stumbling by the umbrella stand.

"Hello," Remus mumbled, fully expecting her to have missed it since she seemed so caught up in recovering from her trip and cursing the umbrella stand.

However, Nymphadora Tonks surprised him once more as she turned on him and beamed, "hello Remus,"

They both stared and looked away, a blush creeping up on their cheeks.

"Meeting?" Remus started, looking up from examining his shoes.

"Yeah," Tonks nodded, ducking down and heading for the kitchen eagerly.

He blinked as he heard a loud thump. Remus' hand flew to his wand as his eyes surveyed his surroundings. He's standing at the bottom of the stairs. There was no one but him in the quiet corridor of Grimmauld place. The kitchen door is closed and by now, he could hear incoherent but loud shouts from Mad-Eye.

Remus sighed, pushing the door open.

Everyone looked up.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Remus murmured and walked over to an empty seat in the corner by the fireplace and sat down hurriedly.

"No worries, thank you for joining us Remus," Dumbledore smiled from the end of the table. Remus swallowed and nodded. He appreciated the headmaster's kindness; seeing he lived here and had the least excuse of being late. Furthermore, his last encounter with the headmaster had been less than pleasant. It had ended with Remus stomping upstairs like a spoilt child.

Remus averted everyone's eyes till he was sure no one was looking at him, then did he look up.

Mad-Eye was practically livid with fury as Dumbledore started talking calmly again. The others around the table looked terrified, tensed or seemed to be having an inner battle with themselves; Charlie, for example.

Remus glanced over.

The second eldest son of the Weasley was gangly, had the trademark red hair, freckles, short cut hair and at the moment, a set expression. Altogether, a charming young man; whom Remus felt he could never compete with.

Charlie was better looking than him, he had strong and sturdy set of muscles under his shirt that girls would most probably die for and most importantly, Charlie had a bright future.

For an intellectual man who read more than both Sirius and James could their whole lives, Remus, for the life of him, could never comprehend why, of all the men in the world, Nymphadora Tonks fell in love with him; deeply.

For once, Remus felt his life was going well, smooth. Holding her in his arms as she slept, Remus glimpsed a future with a beautiful wife and kids running around in the yard while an elderly bespectacled man, much too old for his wife, read a thick book. It made him smile to himself in the dark on the warm bed.

"Remus?"

He blinked and looked up to see everyone looking at him.

"I'm sorry?" He stared blankly; inwardly cringing at the squinting Mad-Eye's normal eye was doing at him. Remus looked away from the retired Auror and turned to Dumbledore. The man was frowning just slightly before smiling at him.

"Severus has recently contacted me about Sirius and Nymphadora," Dumbledore started patiently, folding his wrinkled hands on the table before himself. Remus leaned forward anxiously; now he got his attention.

"How are they?" Remus blurted.

"They are safe for now," Dumbledore replied.

After a beat of silence, Remus asked, "Where are they?"

"Remus, this isn't something we can brave into. If we barge into the place to rescue Sirius and Nymphadora, this will risk everything we've-"

"Are they in danger?" Remus placed a clenched fist on the table, feeling his anxiety rise, threatening to overflow.

Mad-Eye snorted. Dumbledore regarded him behind his half-moon spectacles, "Yes,"

Remus stiffened, tearing his eyes away from Dumbledore before he could begin glaring, "Do you have a plan?"

"Severus has assured me that he will make sure Sirius and Nymphadora gets out of there alive,"

Remus wanted nothing more than to cry out in sheer frustration. For once in his life, Remus doubted Dumbledore. Has age ravaged his mind? Severus hates Sirius and probably Nymphadora. If anything, Severus might've murdered Sirius himself if he got the chance. Save him? Remus almost laughed at the very idea.

"I assure you," Dumbledore spoke, this time his tone indicating that this was not spoken only to and for Remus, but for everyone at the table, "Severus has swore his loyalty to me and for what reasons, it will not be convenient for me to speak of it; it is not mine to share,"

Most at the table nodded solemnly, their faith fully with Dumbledore, as usual; as Remus' should be.

He remained doubtful. Severus Snape is vile and has a scheming mind, like all Slytherins. Is it possible that Severus has had Dumbledore fooled? Or, as Dumbledore said, there is a reason behind his loyalty, something Remus had not stumble upon as he contemplated Snape's loyalty to the Order.

Remus glared at into the fireplace as they continued the meeting for death eaters sightings they have been following. It has been rampant lately so the Order has decided to try and gather some crucial information from them.

Normally, he would've been the most attentive at the table but he had more on his mind. Apart from Sirius and Nymphadora, he can't help but wonder what reason Snape could possibly have to turn away from Voldemort and help the order in such a dangerous mission.

Whatever Dumbledore and Snape have planned, Remus could only sit and wait, just as he was ordered to.

Tonks shifted, burying her face into her pillow as she usually did out of a form of habit. However, instead of the soft pillow, she felt a different sort of pillow. Her head lay on something warm, solid, yet having a tinge of softness to it as well. She opened her eyes.

She saw black. Then she remembered everything. Their arrival from the ministry, Sirius' capture, her torture.

Sirius!

She looked up to see her cousin already awake and looking at her with a grin.

"Good morning!" Sirius greeted extra cheerily and Tonks suspected it was an attempt to cheer her up. She took it as such.

Smiling, she replied, "How did you know its morning?"

"I don't," Sirius sighed, glancing around the dark dungeon.

Tonks smiled, resting her head on his chest. The last time she stuck down here, she'd exhausted herself with tears and slept restlessly but now, it was different. It almost felt no different from sleeping in her flat but a far cry from sleeping with Remus holding her, whispering comforting words to her.

She missed him.

She picked at a loose thread on Sirius' robe.

"D'you remember the time you accidentally set my robes on fire?" Sirius spoke all a sudden, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Tonks chuckled, the memory coming back to her as if it had happened yesterday.

"You were a cheeky little bugger then, playing around with your magic like that," He teased, squeezing her in an awkward hug that worked better when she was about as tall as his hips.

"Well…" Tonks dragged it out, sheepishly, "it wasn't an accident,"

"What?" Sirius' smile vanished, "you-"

"Set your robes ablaze on purpose," Tonks smirked up at him.

"Why you little-"

"You called me Nymphadora! Twice!" She protested, "And you pinched my cheek!"

Sirius snorted, "What? I can't pinch your cheek? I'm your cousin y'know," He half pouted and Tonks couldn't hold in her laugh. Soon, Sirius laughed boisterously with her, in the way he always did when he was truly tickled.

"Mad already?" A cold voice travelled down the dungeon and laughter was quelled instantly.

"What is it?" Tonks felt Sirius tense under her as he asked; his tone brusque.

Snape entered the dungeon, shutting the gate with a clank and waved his wand over the gates wordlessly before turning to them.

"The Dark Lord has made his decision," Snape announced in a low tone, "the plan will be carried out as usual-"

Tonks frowned. She searched her memory for the so-called plan but could not recall it or even remember hearing it said to her; she must've fell asleep due to the potion before they could relate the plan.

"What plan?" She interrupted. Snape turned to her, regarding her puny presence witheringly. In the past, Tonks will bite her lips and look away in embarrassment but now, Tonks was merely annoyed and impatient at his attempt to unnerve her. In the end, Snape ignored her and turn to Sirius, who nodded, "Don't ignore me!" She cried indignantly, "what plan?"

Without another word, Snape turned around and left.

"Sirius-"

"Hush," Sirius placed a gentle finger on her split lip from yesterday's torture but the touch was so light she barely felt it, much less the pain, "just follow my lead and listen for my cue. When I call for you, grab onto me and don't let go till I say so," he whispered.

"What are you talking about Sirius?" Tonks asked, puzzled.

"Trust me," Sirius hunched to meet her eyes, "I'm going to get you out of here forever, I promise."

Tonks swallowed a lump in her throat. In her gut, she knew this wouldn't be good…

"Ah, welcome, Sirius Black," Voldemort spreaded his arms at his sides; in a less than welcoming gesture. Sirius puckered his face in blatant disgust.

Bellatrix hissed from the sides but Voldemort waved at her lazily. She fell silent.

Tonks stumbled alongside Sirius, feeling vulnerable in the presence of someone who'd seen everything there is to see in her mind. She felt Sirius press his elbow into her arm, keeping as close to her as he can; as if to reassure her.

They were chained at the wrist that had an attached thin film over their hands which prevented the use of wandless magic, intentional or accidental. Behind them, a junior death eater, that Tonks didn't recognize, was escorting them into the hall, poking at them with his wand to get them moving.

Tonks was bemused with his poorly concealed fear of them and how nervous he was.

"Now that is no way to treat our guest," Voldemort cooed sickeningly as he inclined his chin and glimpsed their chains. He hissed and the poor junior crumpled to the ground. Tonks tuned out the agonizing howls; already accustomed to these spontaneous tortures.

With a wave of his hand, their chains dropped to the ground nosily and the thin film around their hands disappeared.

Sirius pursed his lips, flexing his wrists.

"Now," Voldemort spoke, stepping forward to them. The Cousins held their ground, staring at him with the same look in their eyes, "what do we do with you?"

Voldemort turned to Sirius first before a sick smirk twisted its way onto his serpentine features, "I see the resemblance," He glanced hungrily between Nymphadora and Sirius before his glance wandering to Bellatrix, whom was seething by now. Sirius remained unaffected, his glare unyielding.

"Let's test your resolve, shall we?" He smirked, gesturing Bellatrix forward.

Tonks' stomach flipped nauseatingly as Bellatrix whipped out her wand, treading forward like a predator would to its prey.

"No," She whimpered just before Bellatrix lashed out at him. Sirius' torture was unbearable to watch but Tonks had received warnings from Sirius previously in the cell; his instructions were clear, do not risk yourself for me, no matter what happens.

Initially, Tonks was absolutely repulsed at the idea of leaving him to the lurch but eventually, Sirius helped her see reason. Being a noble prat would not help them in this situation; only keeping a cool head will.

So Tonks clenched her fists and bit her lips, forcing herself to stay still. With her rage, Tonks could feel the magic bubbling inside her; eager to be set loose.

Voldemort's training helped her become self aware of her magic, giving her better control; thus helping her release its potential by the medium of dark magic. Using Dark Magic somehow provided a comfort for the large amount of magic she released at once.

However, there was a terrible drawback. There was always a high risk of losing that control while toying with such power and Voldemort had eagerly encouraged that.

On the other hand, Mad-Eye's lesson had taken a completely different turn in comparison. Mad-Eye trained her reflexes, equipped her with strong morals and a resolute mind. In terms of managing her magic, he helped her with her morphing; though admitting to not be an expert. After Tonks' insistent pleas, he relented and agreed to give her some pointers according to his experience. He gave her advice on using it in battle and how it will benefit her. Admittedly, Tonks had never looked at her morphing as something to be used as a weapon; she saw it as more of stealth.

In terms of spell casting, Mad-Eye had insisted on her exercising caution. Even for experienced wizards and witches, losing control of their magic could lead to not just destructive but unimaginable consequences for the user themselves.

Remembering her training with Mad-Eye, Tonks restrained her magic, struggling. She had spent far too much time under Voldemort's training and control seemed so bleak for her now.

"Bellatrix," Voldemort spoke, instantly putting a stop to the torture.

He took deliberate steps and stopped in front of Tonks.

"Why are you stopping yourself, Nymphadora?" Voldemort hissed; his voice quiet and dangerous.

Tonks refused to reply, silence now seem the better alternative for her now that she'd made him furious.

"Have you forgotten your training?" Voldemort's blood red eyes glinted, his cold fingers running across her cheek; a reminder.

Tonks flinches but eventually, she suck in a breath and jutted out her chin, "I already have a mentor-"

"Yes, yes," Voldemort looked away, thoughtful, "Alastor Moody," He turned and took two slow steps away, "It has been too long since we've met," Tonks stiffened, "what do you think Alastor would say to a visit?"

Tonks gritted her teeth but stayed silent. In her peripheral vision, Tonks glimpsed Sirius blinking to orientate himself before struggling to get to his feet.

"Maybe…" Voldemort's voice trailed off and he spun around with an eager glint in his eyes, "Come, Sirius Black," He beckoned him forward impatiently when Sirius hesitated.

Bellatrix hissed, waving her wand in a sweeping gesture. Sirius cried out in shock and pain as he stumbled forward. Tonks frowned. Sirius was not coherent. She felt a dull worry in her chest blossoming. His senses had been dulled by Bellatrix's magic; how was Sirius going to carry out whatever plan he had now? Tonks thought morosely.

"Now now Bellatrix, let's play nice to our new comrade," Voldemort smirked at Sirius, who now was on his knees before him, "Imperio,"

Tonks heard Sirius gasp momentarily before being absolutely still. Tonks had only seen the Imperius curse used once and that was during training when Moody used it on a spider as a demonstration. He seemed fixated on Voldemort now, who took a satisfied look at Sirius before glancing to the side at a masked death eater.

"His wand," Voldemort extended his hand, palm up to the death eater. Flustered, he fumbled to find the wand within his robes and before he could run forward to give the Dark Lord the wand, Voldemort impatiently summoned it, "Sirius,"

Sirius seemed to focus on the new object handed to him and grasped it firmly.

Tonks wanted to sink into the floor now. There was a plan, and now there wasn't. Sirius was now under the control of the Imperius curse. If Tonks wasn't certain before, she was now; there was no escape for her.

"Sirius…" She mumbled.

The Dark Lord glanced once at her and then down at Sirius who was still kneeling.

He leaned forward, placing a hand on Sirius' shoulder as he whispered, "I want you, to kill her,"

Sirius barely hesitated. He stood on unsteady legs and turned to face Tonks. Her cousin was truly gone. His grey eyes were now glazed over, making his eyes almost white. Her heart was hammering against her chest, warning her to run, make her escape before it's too late but her head told her that was impossible.

Never in a million years would Tonks ever dream of being killed by Sirius Black; her very own beloved cousin.

"Do it," Voldemort hissed with barely contained anticipation.

Sirius raised his wand, his lips moving to mumble the spell. Tonks was vaguely aware of how her body was trembling, fear gripping her heart, making it impossible to breathe or think. She closed her eyes, wondering how Sirius would go about killing her; Voldemort was not specific.

"Nymphie, NOW!" The words out of Sirius' mouth were not what she anticipated but Tonks trusted him. Acting solely on that trust, Tonks scrambled forward and gripped into Sirius' arm with both hands.

"No!" The strident roar of fury from the Dark Lord was instantaneous upon this turn of events. Tonks glimpsed the death eater jumping into action; Bellatrix being the closest. She watched in horror as Bellatrix pulled out a long knife with hand which did not wield her wand.

"Apparate!" Sirius said firmly with the wand in his hand. A loud crack sounded among the bedlam.

Remus was pacing again. His uneaten breakfast of coffee and hardened bread sat cold on the table. The smoldered fire from the fireplace was still emitting a thin trail of smoke that made Remus more frustrated than he already was.

He had been feeling antsy since sunrise and Remus blamed it on the fast approaching full moon.

The meeting had ended on a dull note for Remus. Everyone left Grimmauld except for Molly, Arthur and Mad-Eye who lingered.

Molly kindly prepared some stew for him that sat on the stove, untouched. The couple left soon after. Mad-Eye sat there, seemingly waiting as Remus has been.

Remus had never thought it difficult to talk to Moody, just perhaps uncomfortable. Glancing up at him, Remus felt an ache as he remembered how Nymphadora's eyes would light up as she teased Mad-Eye and waited for the smart rebuke he always threw her way.

Seemingly unable to bear the awkward and gloomy atmosphere either, Mad-Eye stood and left without a word.

After, Remus couldn't drag himself upstairs to his bed. Instead, he stayed vigilant through the night, listening with the heightened senses that came and went with the full moon.

Remus had sent his patronus to Severus' flat in hope that he could return and update him on Nymphadora and Sirius' situation but till now, there wasn't a reply. The night went and Remus spent it staring into the fire, wondering how Nymphadora must be feeling. Sometimes, Remus could've sworn he saw her lovely heart shaped face appearing in the fire but she never said anything. She'd smile and then vanish as if she's never been there.

Remus sighed, glaring at his breakfast before ignoring it altogether and stomping up to his bedroom.

He froze upon hearing someone fumbling with the door. Remus whipped out his wand before creeping back down the stairs. He paused at the bottom of the stairs, peering out into the quiet hallway.

There was no denying what he heard. The door handle was rattling.

"Moony!"

Remus froze a second time.

"Moony,"

It was Sirius. Remus didn't hesitate as he ran to the door and yanked it open in frenzy. There he was.

"Padfoot!" Remus almost laughed but Sirius only smiled weakly before it turned into a grimace and the man tumbled over and into Remus' arm, "Sirius," Remus mumbled, dragging Sirius into the kitchen.

He waved his wand and his breakfast was vanished. Remus quickly dragged the man onto the table.

"Sirius," Remus leaned over to see that Sirius was now delirious and his mind bleary, "Sirius, focus," He grabbed Sirius' face with both his hands, forcing Sirius to look at him, "where is Nymph-"

"You have to get her Moony," Sirius looked closed to tears, "she didn't make it out, Nymphie, she's still there!" Remus froze as horror gripped at him. The rest of Sirius' rant was lost on him, "It's my fault!" Sirius cried but Remus stumbled back, tripping over the chair and failing to the floor; his face still frozen in horror.

Remus slowly looked at Sirius who was now in tears. It was then did Remus register the blood splatter across Sirius' face which, he couldn't be more certain, didn't belong to Sirius.

To be continued…

A/N: *dramatic music* Things just got worse…uh oh…How did Sirius overcome the Imperio? No, he's not stronger than Voldemort or something...It will be answered...NEXT TIME! :) Promise (probably also how Tonks managed to reject the dark mark). So many things to clarify, so little time :) Oh well...

Finally got this chapter done! Not much trouble this time around, writers' block decided to go annoy some other poor soul (: Hope you guys enjoyed reading it!

Midnighthuntress808: Thank you so much! Glad you liked it! Oops, doubt this chapter made your mood any better :x

Lupinesence: Thank you for reviewing!

TheMauradersAreTOTALLYAWESOME: I'm glad you liked it! Thank you!

Nymphadora-Remus4ever: Glad the Sirius-Tonks moments weren't off, in a way. Thanks so much!

tt crews: Haha, I just had to destroy it after what it had done to Sirius in the books and the movie ): Thanks! Not long actually. As you've read in this chapter, Tonks' mind is pretty much set back into place quite quickly after the jolt from Sirius and a little bit of rest. Well, Snape had a plan so…;) Thank you for reviewing!

Just a Cute Idea: Thanks so much! Hope this didn't come too late! (:

Shadowmaster2323: Haha, I think you'll feel even so after reading this chapter. Hope you enjoyed this one! Thanks so much!

HammersNStrings: That part would probably be explained later but no promises there! (: Haha, as you've read, Snape comes to the rescue ;) Thanks for your suggestion and for the awesome review!

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW FOR THIS CHAPTER~!