Edited: Found out from Pottermore, the name of Remus' father! XD

Chapter 27: Kill

Remus paused momentarily as he stepped out of the dodgy alley. Everything was painfully familiar to him despite having not come here for years. The last time he had stepped foot in here was when he was invited by Lily during the holidays. Remus took a deep breath, steeling his emotions and took another step forward.

Suddenly, the door of the house of his interest flung open and Remus instinctively dove for cover into the alley, pressing himself up against the wall. He glimpsed two figures leaving the house, both wearing black cloaks with the hood drawn over their heads. Remus stared after them, noticing their smaller frame that could only be of a women's.

He wondered if one of them would be Nymphadora and considered calling them but that could only be wishful thinking and definitely a foolish move. Calling out to them would attract attention and if neither of them were Nymphadora, he would be digging his own grave.

Remus watched with a bated breath as he saw them turn into the alley he had emerged from and he heard a soft pop. He counted silently in his head to five before slipping out of the alley. He pulled the hood closer to his face, looking down as he crossed the street to the house.

He raised his hand tentatively and rapped on the door, barely containing his anger. His other hand reached for his wand but kept it out of view.

"Who is it?" Remus froze. The voice wasn't something he intended to hear. If anything, the voice made him ready to kill.

"Remus Lupin," He replied acidly; indulging in sick pleasure as the person on the other side of the door gasp, "Peter, open up," Remus found himself adding, just for the sake of unnerving the man.

The door cracked open a little and Remus didn't wait. Despite the full moon departure, Remus still felt the uncontrollable rage that surfaced, especially as he laid eyes on the mouse of a man. He shoved the door forcibly with his left arm, effectively clipping Peter in the head as the door surged back onto him.

Peter fell to the floor with a surprised squeak. The door rebounded, gently hitting Remus' shoulder but he took no mind to it; there were more important matters at hand. Remus whipped out his wand faster than Peter could reach for his.

"R-Remus," Peter gasped. The man was different than the last time Remus saw him in the shrieking shack. He was balder now, he was skinnier and of course, the addition of the special hand bestowed upon him by his Dark Lord, as a reward for his loyalty. To every Death Eater, it was an honour but to Remus, it was a reminder that this man, the very one that lay at his mercy now, was a crucial reason why Voldemort was back.

"How are you, Peter?" Remus snarled, his wand unwavering in his hand, "How does betraying your best friends feel like?"

He didn't know what came over him. At the shrieking shack, Remus had effectively been able to keep his calm, even able to hold Sirius back from maiming the rat. But now, he wanted nothing more than to kill-

"Lupin," Snape's cold voice floated down from the stairs, the man himself stood leaning on the railing of the stairs, "what could I possibly have done to deserve such…honour?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.

At the sight of Snape, Remus instantly turned away from Peter, remembering his purpose, "Where is Nymphadora?" He asked, glimpsing Peter cowering away in the retreat of the couch but paid him no mind; he had more important things to worry about.

"That is none of the Order's concern, Lupin. As I recall, I said it would be dangerous for the Order to know of Nymphadora-"

"Not dangerous for the Order; dangerous for you," Remus shot back. He flinched at his own tone, venomous; it was not like him, "Where is she?"

Snape narrowed his eyes, "Your reckless attitude is risking the mission, Lupin."

Remus faltered. He knew, he knew how his irresponsibility would cost everything but he also remembered how Sirius had lamented to him about Nymphadora's pleas to her cousin to help her. It broke Remus' heart to hear it, even from Sirius. Whatever the case, Remus knew he had to do something.

For a moment, Remus didn't know how to reply to that. So he expressed his most sincerely thoughts, "Nymphadora is more important than any mission,"

Snape scoffed, "that's touching Lupin. But this does not merely concern you and Nymphadora, this concerns-"

Remus exploded, "I don't care what this concerns!" He raised his wand, "Tell me where she is, now,"

He was unfazed and instead, Snape raised a brow, "are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm hoping I don't have to Severus but you're not giving me any options," Remus gritted his teeth.

"Get out of my house, werewolf," Snape sneered but Remus hardly flinched at his crude words. If there was anything Nymphadora taught him, it was only letting the opinions of those who mattered affect him.

Remus growled as Severus whipped out his wand, descending the stairs. Both of them ignored the slight whimper coming from behind the couch.

Without warning, a flash of red shot out from Snape's wand. Remus ducked down and the spell brushed him neatly to explode into the wall.

"Get out of my house," Snape snapped, his wand held at the ready, as is Remus'.

"Tell me where Nymphadora is," Remus shot back, "She was hurt, wasn't she? Severus, I need to know-"

Snape shot out another spell, this time giving Remus no escape. He parried it away quickly, instinctively shooting back a jinx at Snape. The man averted the jinx easily and it didn't surprise Remus, he was a skilled duelist.

Curses were exchanged swiftly, each of them giving the other no time to recover with constant bombardment of curses. Remus was scalded in cheek and Snape got nicked in the shoulder that promised bruising. Furniture were shattered and utterly destroyed by stray spells.

Snape grimaced as another of Remus' curse cut his cheek, bringing up his hand to stem the blood flow. Just as both wizards raised their wand again, a flash of white interrupted them; planting itself in between them. It formed a shape and Remus instantly recognised Kingsley's patronus; the lynx.

"Remus, come quickly to Grimmauld Place. There's an emergency meeting. Emmeline's been murdered,"

Remus jogged up the steps to Grimmauld Place, opening the door quickly and bursting in. It has been a while since Remus saw the place so packed with people. From the kitchen, Remus could hear small conversations among the Order members but Emmeline's death hung over every one of them. Extra chairs have been conjured to contain the extra members.

Remus entered the kitchen. Kingsley looked up from gazing at the table, deep in thought, and nodded at Remus solemnly. Remus nodded back, trying to swallow a lump in his throat. Molly was sobbing into Arthur's shoulder. Bill and Charlie were sat side by side; the latter had both fists clenched on the table.

Remus nodded to the newer order members whom he didn't recognise as he walked to the only empty seat, beside Charlie Weasley. He sat and didn't miss how Charlie tensed, smiling tentatively at Remus. He replied likewise; a half awkward smile.

"Kingsley?" Remus spoke, uncomfortable with the tension between himself and Charlie.

"Dedalus found Emmeline dead in her house a few hours ago," Kingsley glanced towards the man in question who was sniffing slightly, "We were aware that you and Emmeline were on duty together that evening…" Kingsley's voice trailed off.

"We went separate ways at the venue itself," Remus replied to his unsaid question, "she was fine the last time I saw her,"

Kingsley nodded, "which is why we suspect its murder,"

"The body?" Someone at the end of the table asked.

"The Aurors got there. Apart from a few smashed furniture, the place was spotless. No mindless search, theft is out of the question," Kingsley said, "whoever did it wanted her life," His voice faltered.

Dedalus choked on a breath. Molly sobbed harder and Remus watched on as Arthur rubbed her back soothing, mumbling comforting words. He felt bitter jealousy rise up to choke his throat. Nymphadora must be feeling miserable out there and he was helpless to comfort her. Remus hated himself.

"How was she murdered?" Remus heard himself ask.

"The killing curse," Kingsley answered, "It was quick,"

The room sank into an awkward silence, only occasionally broken by sobs. At this moment, Mad-Eye Moody limped nosily into the kitchen, conjuring a chair and sinking into it almost grudgingly. Remus tried to read what he felt but was unsuccessful.

Remus looked at his hands which were on his lap. He knew anyone could have killed Emmeline. The war was evidently stepped up after the raid on the ministry with Voldemort having more plans for the offense now. Only recently, Dumbledore had warned the Order to practice caution at all time, knowing it was only a matter of time before known order members become the target of Death Eaters.

Somehow, Remus could feel the tension in the room and knew the facts aren't as simple as he initially thought; if it were so, the whole Order wouldn't have been summoned.

Remus trudged up the lane of Emmeline's house. It looked peaceful and quiet. It was almost hard to believe a murder had been committed here. Remus didn't know what came over him but apart from a dull ache of loss, he could feel no more for the loss of a friend. Perhaps weeks of the agony of separation had numbed him; Remus hoped so.

He glimpsed the print pasted on the wall by the ministry that declared this place the site of murder and of their investigation but Remus ignored it. He had already disillusioned himself. Cautiously, Remus stepped into the house and lit his wand.

As Kingsley had said, the place was clean. There was no blood, no major damage to the house. Remus took in every detail, anything that could've told him what exactly happened. He glimpsed a dent on the plaster of the wall just a distance away from the couch, a toppled over vase near the back door.

"What happened here?" Remus muttered, glancing absent mindedly at the couch. To his surprise, he glimpsed a stain. He leaned forward, bringing his lit wand closer. He was right, on the arm rest of the couch, there was a spot of blood. Remus frowned, puzzled. He sat down on the couch, leaning back to get a vague idea of how the blood could've gotten there.

After a short moment, Remus concluded the person could have had a wound from the shoulders up to leave such a bloodstain but it wasn't extensive. What he saw also told him that the wound wasn't caused at Emmeline's house.

Remus grunted in frustration, running a hand through his hair. He was getting no where.

Dumbledore's theory seemed likely; that whoever attacked Emmeline merely wanted information so she may have suffered some torture before being murdered. He had urged them to exercise extreme caution again before ending the meeting.

Remus was the first to leave after Dumbledore, ignoring the puzzled stares he earned. He needed to see things for himself and he didn't want to stay at Grimmauld Place; he had too many memories there and Sirius' drunken rants weren't helping his mood. Remus had toyed with the idea of returning to Spinner's End to finish their fight but dismissed that idea. He also thought of using his time to apprehend Peter Pettigrew but the rational side of him told him it would be difficult, not to mention impossible with Snape there.

He sighed again, slumping down to the floor. A spontaneous thought of Death Eaters coming to murder him came to his mind. Remus chuckled bitterly at the thought of finally having a chance to take down a few of them before his death.

What am I doing? He frowned, a painful memory seeping into his head.

"Stay alive for me," Tonks splayed her palm on his chest, above his heart, "take care of yourself, no matter what, please." His heart began beating quicker. Remus wondered idly if she knew; how much he loved her.

"Dora…" Remus frowned, puzzled, "did something happen?" He reached his hand to her face, catching a tear on the crook of his index finger. She looked so fragile; Remus had to remind himself again and again to be gentle. .

"No," She replied hurriedly, "nothing happened…" The initial emotion he felt was doubt blossoming but Tonks looked straight into his eyes and his thoughts were gone. He smiled at her, just slightly and watched her smile forcibly back.

Remus brushed away a strand of mousy brown hair and tucked it behind her ear with the slight smile still on his lips. He caressed her cheek with the back of gentle fingers, "I will, for you," He heard himself say; just to put her mind at ease. He saw some worry diffuse in her eyes.

Tonks nodded, pressing her ear to his chest. He chuckled as her breathing became smooth and he knew she'd fell asleep again. Remus sought joy in little things like this as he realised that he could provide the comfort Tonks badly needed. Remus glanced at her, worried but decided not to probe; she already had enough on her mind without his constant doubt of her.

Remus remembered how beautiful she looked that day; even wearing plain black robes and mousy brown hair. He felt a familiar ache in his chest and barely flinched as he simply leaned back, closing his eyes.

At that time, he knew something was bothering her but he didn't know what. Now he did. She had been worrying about the Battle at the Department of Mysteries and Remus could only berate himself for not noticing earlier.

Caught up in his own thoughts, Remus spoke aloud into the darkness; the only thing that he could speak to without going mental on himself or flying into rage, "Dora, where are you?"

"Come, Nymphadora!" Voldemort laughed as he gestured Tonks forward. She did as she was told; her face blank, occasionally contorting in pain and confusion, "You killed Emmeline Vance!" He spread his arms by his sides, declaring to his death eaters, "Well done Nymphadora!"

A few death eaters laughed, Bellatrix's standing out.

Tonks frowned slightly but it didn't go unnoticed by Voldemort who narrowed his eyes at her. He caught her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his eyes.

Her mind was open and what he saw was clear. A scarred face of Remus Lupin; werewolf and Order Member. Tonks lingered on his troubled expression, his guarded blue eyes, his pursed lips, his fingers that were constantly tangled together as he pondered. And there was an emotion, an annoyance to the Dark Lord; he recognized it from prying open so many minds of others but he despised it.

"You're in love with him," Voldemort leaned back in his chair, his voice revealed a tinge of realization, mocking and disgust.

Bellatrix cackled louder.

He gazed down at her thoughtfully before speaking, "I am your master, Nymphadora," He leaned forward again, "I am the only one you think of," Voldemort cooed softly. Tonks looked up, a puzzled expression, her grey eyes still glazed over, making her iris a lighter grey.

"Yes, master," She replied, her tone lilt and dreamy but there was a small furrow between her brows.

With an angry snarl, he whipped his wand and Tonks was thrown back, collapsing on her back.

"Why do you constantly resist me?" He stood quickly, marching forward hurriedly and back handed Tonks across the cheek with a resounding slap, "Crucio," He leaned over her, watching with twisted pleasure as Tonks shriveled up, her teeth gritted against the pain. Despite her efforts, she howled in pain, "I tire of this," He straightened out, looking down at her with disdain.

"M-master," Tonks gasped, "I will try harder. I-"

Her voice was drowned out as Bellatrix cackled at her plight. Voldemort ignored her, narrowing his bloodshot eyes at her, "Weak!" He hissed.

A look of anger crossed her face but faded quickly as at command, her mind went blank, leaving her confused with her emotions.

"I-" She choked on her words, teeth clenched, resisting the pain.

The Dark Lord stared at her with a look of distaste, as if she was a disgusting creature in his presence and not a person. He ended the spell with a mere wave of his hand, "Stand up now," He hissed. She did so, shakily, not trusting her legs.

He shot that same look at her once more before turning away, "Tell me Nymphadora, what should we do next?" He asked casually, "perhaps Remus Lupin-"

Tonks' breath hitched and her face paled but she didn't speak.

He twisted around to face her, noticing this slight change in her posture, "I am your master, Nymphadora," The Dark Lord said forcibly, "you will do exactly as I tell you. No resistance, no reluctance. None of it! Nothing, unless I tell you,"

Tonks inclined her chin in affirmative but not speaking.

"This would not do," The Dark Lord muttered, bemused at Tonks' plight of confusion and futile resistance, "the old man has softened his servants more than I thought he did. None of you can achieve anything in this state. You resisted me, even on the verge of killing Emmeline Vance. You hesitated when you are asked to kill her. You casted the leg locker; a weak spell," He hissed in anger, "Denying everything I taught you! Defying my orders,"

Tonks whimpered where she stood.

"Are you scared, Nymphadora?" He mocked, raising his wand and pressing it to her chest; taunting her, "your heart is mine as is your mind. It belongs to me."

She stiffened; a reflex, upon sight of the wand but stood her ground, not moving a muscle, unless her master allowed so.

"What should I do with you Nymphadora? You are a talented witch, a valuable servant no doubt. You have so much to offer!" Voldemort curled his lips, considering his options, "I will not kill you but what do you think you deserve?"

Tonks didn't reply, waiting soberly for orders.

"Answer me!" He hissed, his wand probing her chest where her heart beats.

She didn't even flinch, his hold on her was firm, unyielding, "Punishment," Tonks replied, her voice blank as was her expression.

"For what, dearest Nymphadora?" Voldemort lowering his wand as her resistance faded to nothing. Her weak mind was failing her; not having the strength any longer. He mentally probed her for an answer.

"Defiance, Master," She said unblinkingly, her voice monotonous.

"Now, that wasn't difficult, is it?" He turned away from her momentarily and Tonks remained silent, just as her master wanted her to, "but I will not punish you today Nymphadora. You are too important to me; in our mission."

She sensed a reply momentarily but it quickly faded and she shut her mouth. Her mind was blank without an order from him. Tonks was just a shell of who she was.

"However, you are still defiant. You still want to fight me," A slight frown appeared as he faced her, "So I have a mission for you and only if you succeed, then you are ready for what I want you to do," He paused and Tonks waited, neither nervous nor tensed or scared, just a blank slate, "I want you, to kill Alastor Moody."

Grimmauld Place was thankfully silent. Remus had finally gained courage to pluck himself from the floor of Emmeline's home and get himself back to Grimmauld Place. His mind on getting a glass of hot chocolate for himself to drive away the nonsensical and suicidal thoughts in his mind, Remus headed for the kitchen.

He jumped, startled, as he saw Mad-Eye Moody seated at the table, his back to him.

"Mad-Eye," He blurted, "I thought you left," Remus murmured, walking to the counter.

"You were in a fight," Moody pointed out without turning to look at him.

Remus' hand immediately flew to touch the burn on his cheek, wincing, "yes," He replied, seeing no point in denying the fact to a man who can see everything, literally.

"With Severus,"

Remus winced. How did he know?

"Yes,"

"For Nymphadora," Moody ended his verdict bluntly. Remus kept quiet, stirring his hot chocolate mindlessly, "Foolish!" Mad-Eye berated sharply and Remus jumped again, dropping his spoon. It fell into the cup, causing a small clink but it seemed to reverberate around the silent kitchen.

The tension, he could feel, was tight thus Remus waited but Mad-Eye was obviously waiting for this reply, "I can't stand not knowing," Remus muttered. Although he knew better than to provide excuses to the ex-Auror, Remus was just too tired to think of a way to maneuver himself out of this mess.

To his surprised, Moody merely grunted, "and what did you find?"

"Nothing, Snape refuses to tell me anything," Remus replied bitterly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Albus is none the wiser," Moody studied him with uncomfortable intensity as he sat down opposite him. Then Moody leaned forward, a hand on the table and another on the walking stick. A shadow fell upon his face as he lowered his gaze and spoke in a low voice, "But Nymphadora is alive," His voice merely a whisper but Remus heard every word and his heart clung on to them like a lifeline.

Remus couldn't stop the joy and elation that bloomed in his chest. A part of him had assumed Nymphadora was dead but the conscious part of him had refused to say the words. Now that he knew she wasn't, he felt some strength coming back to him, to keep living and fighting.

"Thank you," Remus whispered; feeling gratitude towards Moody. He could have easily decided to keep the information to himself but he didn't and Remus was eternally grateful for that. Comfortable silence enveloped them and Remus looked up to see Moody staring at the table. He had no idea what Moody was waiting for or what he intended to achieve by staying at Grimmauld till late hours. Remus suspected that Moody himself might not have the answer so Remus didn't probe. Instead, he decided to ask Moody another question, one that he had been meaning to.

"Alastor," He swallowed; uncomfortable with calling the man, so many years his senior, by his name. But Remus felt this was appropriate for the topic he was about to ask Mad-Eye, "Did you know my parents?"

A slight furrow formed between his thick brows but Moody eventually replied, "Yes, I did," He took a deep breath, "I knew them. I had just qualified as an Auror for less than a year when I met them. And glimpsed you,"

"I don't remember," Remus frowned.

"You wouldn't," Mad-Eye said gruffly, "The butterfly in the garden commanded your attention for the whole day, as your mother so kindly put it," Remus blushed. He did recall having an interest in the colourful creatures that flew around in his mother's equally colourful garden. Colours fascinated him; they were hard to come by for werewolf whose world was always grey with bleakness.

He couldn't help a fond smile that crept to his face in realisation. From the day he met her, Nymphadora had dug her way into his heart; that little bundle of colours as Sirius had often referred to her as. He did have a love for colourful things, Remus mused.

Mad-Eye broke his musing as he reached for his hipflask and took a big gulp, "How much do you know about Greyback's revenge?" Remus asked cautiously. He knew he was bitten because his father offended the werewolf but Remus never did know the details; his knowledge was limited to whatever his father saw fit to tell him.

Mad-Eye reached up, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "I knew that your father was a fool," Remus flinched as Mad-Eye spat that word like it was, in itself, a sin. His tone softened as he continued, "Always the outspoken and fearless man he was. Careless about his family's safety; always putting courage and chivalry at the very front. Well deserved Gryffindor that man,"

Remus was silent, waiting patiently for him to continue, "He refused to cower under Greyback's tyranny that he had over everyone. With a simple threat of biting any of their family members and anyone against the werewolf will be silenced,"

"Not my father," Remus spoke when Mad-Eye paused again, both eyes on Remus now.

"No. Lyall Lupin was not afraid. He took every precaution to protect you and your mother but Greyback came through," Mad-Eye's voice was turning hoarse as he spoke now, "He's a fool, I say!" He slammed the table with such vigor, Remus' hot chocolate almost spilt over.

Remus swallowed. He didn't hate his father even after knowing that his infliction was because of Lyall Lupin. Remus loved his father. Although Remus did resent him for a while but it was quickly replaced by some pride as maturity took over. Everyone made mistakes, everyone was different. The price his father had to pay for his courage was just more than others.

For a moment, Remus glimpsed Moody's real eye softening, "And that cost him everything," Mad-Eye's gaze held a faraway look, that of recollection, "What he held most dear,"

She'd just arrived with a soft pop. Her surrounding was quiet but what she felt wasn't the eerie silence she was used to; it was the accompanied comfort that she subconsciously felt.

Sharp pain shot into her head as she recalled.

"Wow…" Tonks mumbled as she laid eyes on the house. Its paint was unbelievably faded, the front garden neglected and filled with weeds, the once beautiful fence around the house was tattered; its gate loose on its hinges.

"What?" Mad-Eye grunted, clonking onward without so much as a second glance to his house.

"Nothing," Tonks replied instantly, wide-eyed and if she dared to admit, a little terrified of her new mentor, "it's…charming,"

Mad-Eye snorted but chose to ignore her as he barreled his way past the fence gate by swinging it open roughly. Tonks cringed as it creaked, threatening to fall off. She'd have fixed it but Tonks was never good at household-y spells and it would delay her; which was exactly what Mad-Eye couldn't tolerate.

She rushed after him, watching the weeds that filled the path.

Without warning, her left foot caught on a weed and she tumbled to the ground unceremoniously. Pain shot up her left knee and Tonks winced, unwinding the weed around her feet but it clung on tight. Tonks furrowed her brows, trying to tear the cursed thing off her.

She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder and glimpsed a wand. She heard Mad-Eye mutter a spell in his low raspy tone before the weeds gave up and slithered away. Tonks could've slapped herself for not noticing that the weeds were spelled –for security no doubt. She chanced a glance at Mad-Eye; afraid of the man. If she couldn't defend herself against a few weeds, how was she going to be an Auror?

Mad-Eye's lips was pressed together in what looked like disapproval and disappointment but his real eye was gazing at her with a look she had never seen before in his eye; almost tortured. Tonks couldn't identify why.

She tried to stand but felt sharp pain shot up her left leg and Tonks shifted to reveal her bloody knee. Lodged in the flesh was a stray splinter. She grimaced and bit her lips, refusing to cry. Tonks had had her shares of splinters but they always hurt the most.

"Come on, up you get," Mad-Eye grunted. He swung her arm over his shoulder and hoisted her to her feet, surprisingly strong. Tonks felt her pride sting as her new mentor had to drag her into the house on the first day she was attached to him. As they crossed the threshold, Tonks thought sullenly how her mentor would think of her now; first day and defeated by weeds.

For all Tonks knew, they could be the very first test and she failed.

He dropped her into an arm chair that creaked as her weight sank into it but it was surprisingly comfortable; seemingly hugging her frame snugly. It was ridiculously huge for her petite frame and Tonks imagined it was made to fit someone of a bigger frame, probably Mad-Eye himself. She felt the urge blurt a smart comment she had but she bit her tongue; no one likes a mentee with cheek.

Tonks watched nervously as her mentor returned from the other room that he disappeared into. In his hand was two bottles. He dropped heavily onto a stool after kicking it so it slid to a stop opposite her. He planted his walking stick by the couch and sat down.

"Drink this," Mad-Eye shoved the vial into her hand. Tonks hesitated, "It's not poison, girl!"

She almost dropped the vial, startled with his strident and rough tone. Instantly, she downed the lot, frightened but refusing to admit so. Tonks handed back the empty vial and he took it. She dared a glance at his face and noticed that he seemed to have softened a little.

When he prodded her knee where the splinter lodged, she winced, "Ouch," Instantly, Tonks clamped her mouth shut; no big tough Auror would like a cry baby but Mad-Eye didn't say anything but removed his hand from prodding her wound.

He took out his wand, removing the splinter carefully with a few spells that might put some healers to shame. Tonks watched on attentively, hoping to learn a thing or two. As Mad-Eye applied the balm to her wound, she recited the spells silently in her head; the ones Mad-Eye muttered and could be heard.

"Thank you," She ducked her head as Mad-Eye stood. He grunted in reply before leaving. Tonks glanced down at her knee to see it all healed and back to normal, save for a small scar.

"Now," He said; a scowl on his face as he glanced at the time. She jumped to her feet, at attention. Tonks had already received her share of yelling back at the Auror Office where she first met her new mentor and was 'sloppy', "it didn't escape my notice that you have two left feet," Tonks blushed, cursing under her breath, "you had best work on that. First, you'll have to learn to get pass those weeds, apparently," He gestured out the window.

Tonks nodded, heading for the door. It took more than a few tries and a few more trips. She had thought a simple immobulus would have sufficed but Mad-Eye seemed to have charmed these weeds otherwise. With the large number of them, Tonks found herself outnumbered and very much overwhelmed.

Mad-Eye stood at the doorway, watching closely and occasionally giving advices. Tonks had a few more tumbles but resilience had always been her strong trait. Eventually, she had her last stumble and managed to subdue those plants. Tonks' hair was disheveled, her robes torn and muddy, her hands caked with dirt.

As she crawled to her feet proudly, Tonks noticed the setting sun. Her heart sank. She had no doubt killed whatever plans Mad-Eye had for the day by taking so long. She was sure he was going to be disappointed with her. She turned to him to see Mad-Eye nodding stiffly at her; the first signs of approval since they'd met.

She grinned, proud despite herself.

Tonks cried out, cradling her head in her hands as she sank to her knees.

Kill…

She glimpsed the rundown house. Its dirty windows revealed a pitched dark interior which meant that her target was asleep or out. The house stood quiet but strong.

Tonks walked beside Mad-Eye, with her usual bounce in her step. She had just gained the approval of the lecturer of Concealment and Disguise and that definitely raised her spirits as opposed to the Stealth and Tracking lecture.

"Mad-Eye?" She started, waiting purposefully for his acknowledging grunt. He did and she continued, "Why don't you furnish your house? We could take a day off training. I could help you, with y'know, fixing the fence-"

"And will a gate stop you-know-who?" He barked, clonking into the house after waving his wand at it to check its premises with Homenum Revelio

Tonks rolled her eyes at her sully mentor, "Wouldn't kill to repaint at least…"

"While that time could be used to work on your stealth?" Mad-Eye shot back. Tonks rolled her eyes at his back, already growing pass the point of blushing at every verbal prod he shot at her, "Cheek," He muttered but said no more as he stomped into his house.

The pain threatened to tear her head open from the inside.

Kill Alastor Moody. The voice pressed on her memories; her mind.

Tonks grunted as she got to her feet, brandishing her wand. The knots in her head loosened and the pain seeped away. That's it, do not resist… The voice hissed, cooing.

Tonks shook her head, walking closer to the house. The wards had no effects on her. They permitted her to enter, they always have.

"Come," Mad-Eye grunted.

Tonks watched on, puzzled as Mad-Eye gestured her over. She stiffened, all her instincts in-built in her for the pass few months tugging at her muscles, as she glimpsed Mad-Eye whipping out his wand. She took out hers with fumbling fingers; she definitely needed to work on that, but managed a tight and firm grip on her wand.

"Away with the wand, lass!" He barked impatiently, tugging her over when she's within arm's reach. He muttered a few spells and Tonks felt nothing but saw a swirly light envelope her from head to toe before vanishing.

"What is that?" Tonks frowned.

"Now you'll be able to enter the outer wards," He replied. Tonks' eyes widened. She had never heard of Mad-Eye giving that privilege to anyone, ever; probably only Dumbledore but no one else, "but you still can't gain entry to the house,"

Tonks nodded; still elated with the thought of the trust Mad-Eye actually put it in her.

"That way, you wouldn't need to pester me all the time about letting you in from yards away," He grumbled but Tonks had already learnt to see through that grumpy exterior to see a mentor who actually cared about her.

She grinned, feeling an itch to hug him but fighting that urge with the thought of getting blasted with impedimenta. Instead, she beamed, "Thanks, Mad-Eye," He grunted his acknowledgement, feigning oblivious to her thanks but Tonks could've sworn she saw the corner of his frowning lips twitch up into a slight smile.

She choked on her next breath, her hand trembling. Memories are slippery things and hers kept coming.

Moody wasn't there just to teach her, he was there to guide her and to keep an eye on her every move in case she is an agent of Voldemort, sent to spy on the ministry. When that happens, Tonks knew they would count on Mad-Eye to subdue her.

She looked at her mentor, the man she had always looked up to and admired, wondering would he really do what he had to as an Auror, if she'd really turned out to be Voldemort's followers, if she would to do his bidding; Would Mad-Eye do the necessary if he needed to?

For the first time, Tonks wondered if her life ever meant anything to her old stubborn mentor.

Would he kill her?

"No," As if reading her mind, which he probably was, using legilimency. Tonks was already aware that he was an accomplished legilimens, "I've already seen enough to know."

"No," She groaned as pain clutched her head, squeezing the life out of her.

Kill…

"Shut up!" Tonks growled, her vision slipping in and out of darkness. Then she heard a rustling behind her. Instincts for self preservation overrode everything; her memories, the pain, the voice sick cooing…

She looked up, squinting in the darkness, clutching her wand. There was nothing to see. Tonks casted homoneo reveallio. There was someone hidden in the bushes…

She raised her wand, ready to attack. The familiar voice came back, clouding her mind, the force overwhelming.

Go into hiding and wait for him. Then you are to kill him…

Tonks found herself nodding, her mind at ease with whoever was out there. She walked closer to the house till the point where the final wards were put up; where she had no further access.

She shuffled over to the side, in the shadows and stood, vigilant; waiting, just as she was told to.

To be continued…

A/N: References to chapter 23 with Remus and Tonks moment before the battle at the department of mysteries. I tweaked it a little to fit Remus' POV. Also some references to Chapter 3 where Mad-Eye explains to her a bunch of stuff that has been bothering her. Apart from that, small snippets of Tonks' time under Mad-Eye's training that were not mentioned earlier. Hope the Mad-Eye and Tonks fans (not in a romantic way but in a mentor-mentee way) will enjoy it, this is a real treat ;)

Sorry if Mad-Eye seemed OOC, I am aware he is a little different from the one JK Rowling wrote. I have complete respect for what she wrote but since this is AU, I thought to bring it all the way out there. I have a back story for him which will explain his character but I am not sure how I will write it (in terms of which chapter or if it will be a side accompanied story to this one, what do you think?) or when but I do intend to have it written out.

I will not apologise for the cruel cliffie; it's a perverse habit of mine ^^

Peace!

~Hinotima24

Thanks to the lovely reviewers who left me great reviews last chapter, love you all! Roza-Belikov12, Clumsy Cayenne, TheMaraudersAreTOTALLYAWESOME, Nymphadora-Remus4ever, LoopyLuna13, Sarah15, tt crews, HammersNStrings & Just a Cute Idea

LoopyLuna13: I thought she would have to kill someone or the whole idea of her being under the Imperio curse will be unreal; kinda like when no one dies in a show or something, it's unrealistic. If you get what I mean (: Sorry if I ruined it for you by doing that! Haha, I'm aware this is cruel but…it will all be revealed it time (: