A/N: Hey! I've recently posted up a story that has more details about Mad-Eye's past that is mentioned in this story (a companion piece titled 'worth')! So feel free to check it out if you're interested and drop me a review : ) Thanks!
Chapter 45: Battle
Remus watched from his position, sprawled on his stomach, on their bed, his arms hanging over the edge of the mattress. His beautiful wife was picking out her outfit as she shredded her auror robes and let them sink to the floor.
"Something warm, Dora," he reminded and Tonks nodded, picking out a thick blue jumper, that was a favourite of his on her, and pulled it over her blouse. She grabbed a simple black trenchcoat and put it on, buttoning it up. She turned around, nudging the door of the wardrobe shut with her bum, making Remus smile despite himself.
She watched him fondly for a few quiet seconds before closing the gap between them. She dropped to her knees before him so that their faces were leveled. She brought her fingers up and traced his forehead gently, "stop worrying," she told him with a frown, "you're developing worry lines,"
Remus watched her unblinkingly, propping himself up using his elbows. For the life of him, he couldn't understand how someone could be constantly beautiful, "I love you,"
She smiled, "I love you too," Tonks broke eye contact with him reluctantly to glance at the clock on the wall, "it's time," he could feel his jaw clenching at that thought but nodded nonetheless, sitting up. They walked down the steps quietly. As Remus turned to their broom cupboard to retrieve their brooms, he heard Tonks shuffle back into the house. With both brooms in hand, Remus waited for a few minutes passed and he still didn't hear anything.
"Dora?" He called, walking into the house after her. He found her standing in front of the mantle of the fireplace, "hey…" Remus placed a hand on the small of her back, following her gaze to the picture of Mad-Eye on the mantle; the one with Lyra. Mad-Eye smiled towards the camera before gazing fondly at his daughter.
"He should be here with us," She muttered.
Remus wrapped an arm around her and she leaned into his side, "he is. He's always watching over you,"
Something flickered in her grey eyes before she blinked and nodded, forcing a smile as she turned to him, "I got you this, in case," She handed him a bar of chocolate.
Remus was amused as he took it, "thank you," He mumbled as he peeled the wrapper off.
"Now?" She frowned.
"Yes, now," He nodded, feeding her the chocolate, "eat, it'll help you smile," Tonks shook her head in amusement before she took a bite dutifully, her eyes never leaving his.
They left the house and Remus side-longed her. Tonks watched him intently as they apparated to the doorstep of Grimmauld Place. The narrow corridor was flooding with people, all serious but still slightly cheery, probably for the sake of the younger ones.
"Tonks!" Ginny stepped forward from her mum and hugged her. Tonks returned the hug, tearing her gaze from Remus. Ginny's embrace was strangely tight and Tonks returned it as such. Ginny was a brave girl but in a situation like this, who knew what would happen to any of them and an intuitive girl like Ginny could feel the tension despite the false cheeriness.
"That's everyone," Tonks saw Kingsley nod to Remus and Sirius, who rushed over to greet his best friend, from the corner of her eye, "let's go," Kingsley's deep voice boomed.
"I'll be waiting at the burrow, be safe, Tonks," Ginny muttered and Tonks gave her one last squeeze before they parted. Remus smiled a forced smile at Ginny and proceeded to guide Tonks out, a hand on the small of her back.
Kingsley waved his wand and Tonks saw the thestrals he mentioned they were going to use for those not familiar with the broom. She paused and realised that in her time at Hogwarts, she had been unable to see the thestrals; now she could. The sight of them didn't stun her as much as the significance behind seeing them. She remembered that she had not only seen people die since she graduated, one of them being her own mentor, she had also killed some.
"Dora?" Remus was looking at her, frowning in worry, "feeling okay? You can stay at the burrow with Molly and Ginny if you're feeling unwell-"
She shot him a withering look to let him know his efforts were much too obvious, "I'm fine. Let's go,"
She mounted her broom and Remus watched with pursed lips under his moustache, mounting his broom. Kingsley's thestral took off first and the rest followed. Remus, Sirius, Arthur and herself were on brooms, Bill and Kingsley on thestrals and Hagrid was on Sirius' motorcycle, now with a sidecar installed. Fleur, Mundungus, Hermione, Ron, Fred and George were all seated behind a protector and she realised, in her distraction, she was flying alone.
The cold winds were chilly and the wind was rushing in her ear. She glimpsed Bill guide the thestral to fly by her, "alright there?" He called with a grin.
She smiled, "I may be out of practice for a while but I still know how to ride a broom and I can still kick Gryffindor's butt in Quidditch,"
Bill's laugh was cut off by the wind, "as if, Hufflepuff!"
"Yeah, as if Hufflepuff!" Fred and George said from behind Remus and Arthur.
Tonks snorted, "Merlin, I'm surrounded by Gryffindors, chivalrous and bloody noble,"
"That sounds like a happy place to be, you're surrounded by hunks," Sirius' sounded way too close for comfort and Tonks swerved her broom expertly. As she expected, Sirius faltered on his broom, failing to tackle her by the side. Mundungus, seated behind Sirius, yelped frantically and struggled to regain his balance.
She laughed lightly, poking her tongue out at him.
"That's my wife, Padfoot," Tonks caught wind of Remus' snip remark.
Sirius smirked, "Come now, Moony, why are you being so sirius on such a wonderful night?"
Tonks and many others snorted and she rolled her eyes at the pun; overused and old.
"Focus!" Kingsley snapped back at them, Hermione seated behind him.
Tonks made a face at him, "Don't be a Mad-Eye, King! It's unbecoming of you!" She shouted at him. Despite the wind roaring in her ear, whipping her coat and hair all over the place, Tonks could sense the awkward silence of everyone around her. They were watching her, some frowning in worry, some surprised. Remus' laugh broke the heavy silence and George followed. Sirius echoed that with a roaring laugh.
Kingsley's tone was disapproving but his lips were curved in a smile, "Do you always insist on being exceptionally sassy with the person heading a mission, Nymphadora?" His tone was dripping with emphasis on her name and she scowled at him, her hair turning black.
"I dare you to say that horrible word again," Her wand was already in hand, teeth clenched. Her tone was screaming that she meant business.
Kingsley opened his mouth but seemed to change his mind, shut it again, shrugging.
"That horrible word," The wind carried Remus' voice to her, "is your beautiful name," She shot him a patronising smile.
"I'll race you, Nymphie! 2 galleons for the winner!" Sirius yelled before he sped ahead, laughing as Mundungus squeaked, clutching Sirius for dear life. Tonks smirked, ignoring Remus' warning for her not to, and spurred her broom forward.
Privet Drive was quiet as Tonks touched down, stumbling a little before regaining her balance. A moment later, Sirius touched down as well, scowling and muttering, "cheater," The rest arrived as well, watching their interesting exchange of Sirius' sulk and Tonks' smug smile. Mundungus was pale and shaking from the cold.
Remus smiled when he saw that she had landed safely. He worried for her, despite George's casual assurance that Tonks knew how to fly a broom well, being in the Quidditch team back in her days at Hogwarts. She took his hand assuringly when she saw him.
"2 galleons, Padfoot, pay up," Remus grinned, the wide smile and twinkle in his wife' eyes made him decide to loosen up a little and play along.
Sirius dug into his pocket reluctantly, "cheat," He grudgingly tossed two galleons at them which they caught, one each.
"Don't blame it on my wife if you're simply slow," Tonks was surprised when Remus retorted on her behalf, showing no qualms about their little game.
"Moony," Sirius whined in his puppy dog manner.
"Shut up, Black," Tonks snapped as Hagrid's motorbike roared to a stop and they approached the door. Ron and Hermione stepped up to the door but before they could knock, it flung open to reveal a bespectacled boy, taller, broader around the shoulders than Tonks remembered. She watched with a smile as Harry embraced his friends, a wide grin on his face.
"You're looking fit!" Hagrid commented with a grin.
"Sirius!" Harry's smile widened, just when Tonks thought it couldn't anymore, as he and Sirius embraced, "Prof-" Harry paused, "Remus!" Tonks suppressed a giggle at his slip as Remus hugged the boy.
"Let's get in," Kingsley said urgently just as Harry was about to turn to her.
They shuffled into the house, Harry walking astride her, "Guess what, Harry," She winked, showing him the ring she decided to wear tonight despite Remus' objections. She glimpsed Remus, who was walking a step behind them, ducking his head.
"You got married?" Harry gaped, looking from Remus to her, "congratulations!" He grinned and Tonks placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It was really quiet, sorry we couldn't invite you," She said and Harry waved it off, smiling.
"Harry, the wedding isn't that important," Sirius rolled his eyes and grinned, nudging Harry, "The important thing is, Moony finally lost his virg-"
"Sirius!" Remus hissed, kicked him in the shin, hard. Sirius doubled over, his eyes watering. Fred and George snickered loudly. Harry held mirth in his eyes as he watched Sirius try to throttle Remus for that.
Tonks giggled, looking away and around them. Arthur was checking out the windows, Bill and Fleur were the last to enter the doorway.
"Bill, how are you?" Tonks mildly registered Harry striking a conversation with Bill. She wandered over to the window where she could look out into the neighbourhood and the front of the house.
The night was quiet as far as they could tell and dark. She glanced up to notice heavy clouds rolling in; that was bad. It spells bad visibility for them in the skies.
Behind her, she could hear Kingsley briefing Harry about their plan. Remus joined her as she sat up on the window sill. He smiled at her, his fingers brushing hers.
"No! It's too dangerous, taking that becoming me-" Tonks rolled her eyes at the tendency of Gryffindors to be noble, and shot Remus a purposeful look and he had the decency to duck his head. She cracked a smile as Fred and George threw in their comments.
"Harry," she spoke softly, "we know the risks when we signed up for this," She felt Remus' gaze on her, squeezing her hand as she spoke. All around the room, they nodded.
"No!" Harry shook his head stubbornly.
"Come on, Harry, it'll turn out alright," Sirius said, punching Harry's shoulder but the boy had his lips pinched together, his eyes looking over all of them. Hermione rolled her eyes and she shared a look with Kingsley before she yanked a clump of hair off Harry viciously. Tonks cringed for Harry but couldn't help but laugh quietly at Harry's predicament.
It wasn't long before there were seven Harry Potters standing in the room, tearing off layers with an abandon that they wouldn't have if it were their own body.
Tonks snickered, spotting the real Harry's embarrassment of the exposure of his body and winking at him. Harry caught her wink, ducking his head, his blush turning a furious red. Beside her, Remus shook his head, chuckling softly. Remus then looked out the window, saving Harry the extra embarrassment of having him watching as well but Tonks rolled her eyes at his chivalry and watched the Harrys change openly.
Soon, it was time to allocate the partners to their protectors.
"Fleur's not that comfortable on a broom, I'll take her on Thestrals," Bill spoke up and the Harry, who was Fleur, blinked sappily at her husband in a manner that made Tonks laugh into her hand.
Kingsley nodded, "Arthur will take Fred, George with Remus," Remus smiled a strained smile at her, squeezing her hand before walking over to join George, "Hermione, with me on thestrals," Hermione smiled, nodding, "Sirius with Mundungus-"
"I should take Harry," Sirius protested but Kingsley shook his head and Tonks agreed.
"Sirius, if the Auror shows up, they'll be after you and if they catch you, they'll have Harry as well," Tonks cut in and Sirius pursed his lips before nodding admittedly.
"Harry with Hagrid, they'll never guess that," Kingsley said and Tonks nodded.
"That leaves you and me, Ron!" She waved to him from her seat on the window sill. The youngest boy of the Weasleys smiled at her and she walked over to join him. Kingsley reminded them of their plan before they all shuffled out the door.
She felt a gentle hand on her arm as she stepped out of the house and she stopped. Remus placed both hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eye, "Dora, promise me you'll be careful,"
The fear in his eyes, the tremble of his hand and the hard tone surprised her. She locked eyes with him, cupping his cheek in her palm, revelling in the feel of his rough stubble under her palm, "Only if you will,"
Remus nodded, his jaw clenched, "I promise you,"
"So do I," Tonks smiled, "I promise," She froze as she caught a flash of anger and hurt in his eyes before he pulled her into a firm hug, pressing a hard kiss to her forehead. As quickly as his embrace came, it was gone and she felt cold all of a sudden. I love you, She mouthed, although she knew he had his back to her and wouldn't see.
She smiled at Ron, who looked like Harry at the moment, before mounting her broom, glancing at Remus do the same in that rigid posture he always had when he was worried.
"Hold on tight, Ron," Tonks said cheerily and felt Ron's hand around her waist uncertainly.
"Go!" Kingsley gave the signal and everyone shot to the sky. She could hear her heart thumping in her chest in the exhilaration she felt from flying. The clouds made her coat damp and she was glad for the jumper Remus reminded her to wear.
The screams and sounds of spells hitting spells were deafening and it surrounded them. She blinked and it took a moment for her brain to register that they still had a mission no matter what happened. She already had her wand in hand as she flew in the direction of Muriel's house, Ron's great aunt.
"POTTER!" Tonks could hear someone, who sounded like Yaxley, roar behind her.
Glimpsing a stream of white heading towards them, Tonks flicked her wand and parried it away, casting a shield charm around them, "R-Harry, stay low!" She shouted back as she herself leaned lower over the broom to speed it up. She could feel Ron heed her instructions and he was yelling spells behind them as well. She casted defensive spells around them rapidly, shooting stunners at Death Eaters who were going to barrel right into them.
She spurred her broom to move faster and they broke off from the thick of the attack. As the sounds of battle were left behind, Tonks glanced back to see 6 of the death eaters after them. She swore inwardly, picking up speed.
Her eyes widened as she heard someone scream the killing curse, "Get down!" Ron did and she swerved the broom, the green light skimming her ear.
"Stupefy, stupefy!" Ron shouted.
"Itty Bitty Nymphie!" Tonks froze and Ron threw a stunner behind them. She glimpsed the spell disintegrate before she saw her aunt's face. Bellatrix's black eyes were wide and eager, her hair wild and frizzy around her face and her lips were curled into a wide smirk, "The Dark Lord will be disappointed to see you protecting baby Potter!" Tonks gritted her teeth, ignored the chill in her bones that set at the thought that the person threatening her and her unborn child was her aunt, "the Dark Lord wants you so much I'm convinced he'll drop by to get you himself!"
She swore. It had never occurred to her that Voldemort would do so as Harry always seemed the most important and she wasn't carrying Harry- She froze, but he doesn't know that and with her rash and stubborn behaviour, she had put Ron in danger.
She glanced back and threw three curses in quick succession, allowing some mild satisfaction to fill her with comfort as she heard one of them yelp and plunge down to the ground. Tonks even allowed a smile as she realised it was Rodolphus, her uncle-in-law.
"How dare you! You abomination! You've brought enough shame to our family and now you marry that filthy half breed-"
Rage made her hand tremble and sparks flew out the tip of her wand. She could swallow insults relatively alright. However, Remus had been through enough and every night, as she gazed at him as he slept, she couldn't understand how the world could hate such a kind and gentle man. The rage threatened to engulf her and she felt her mind cloud up into darkness as she shot two spells at someone flying alongside them and two more back at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix screeched in pain and Tonks glanced back to see that her sleeve was burnt away to reveal blackened skin.
"Your mudblood father and blood traitor mother will pay for everything, after you're dead, I'll kill them!" Bellatrix screamed.
"Tonks!" Ron-Harry shouted, his voice higher by an octave and Tonks glimpsed multiple curses headed their way. She took the broom down to a sharp dive and majority of it missed them. Ron screamed as one skimmed his shoulder. The impact sent him reeling forward into Tonks. She felt the wind got knocked out of her as Ron barreled into her. Even if he was shifted to have a smaller frame, Harry's body, he was still larger than her.
She staggered, struggling to regain balance while casting a shield charm behind them. Tonks grunted with the effort to pull the broom up before they crashed. They missed the ground by a few inches before they surged upwards again.
Behind them, she could hear Bellatrix cackle at their predicament.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Tonks shouted and for a moment he didn't respond, inducing panic in her, "Harry!"
"I'm fine!" He replied thickly, an arm around her waist and he was still shouting spells back at them. As she manuveured sharply off course, allowing a death eater to run right into Ron's stunner. He fell back and off his broom, plunging down to meet the same fate as Rodolphus.
"I'm going to kill your filthy half breed of a husband, slowly-"
Before Tonks could stop herself, her wand was raised and a killing curse was sent back to the death eaters. She heard Ron take a sharp intake of breath as he saw her cast it and she instantly regretted it. She glimpsed Bellatrix dive down to avoid it. The killing curse missed her and hit another full in the face. The victim didn't even scream before he slipped off his broom, dead.
"Nymphie just broke the rules," Bellatrix sang, cackling, "Dark magic, the Dark Lord would be proud!"
Suddenly, a wave of giddiness hit her and she reeled, the broom swerving uncontrollably, "Tonks!" Ron shouted, sounding absolutely terrified. She blinked, hard, struggling to see clearly. No no no!
She shook her head frantically and let out a breath as her vision cleared and world stopped spinning. As she started to attempt to steady the broom, she heard a cry behind her and Ron sagged sideways limply.
She barely had time to grab the broom and the wand as she grabbed for him. Her grasp on his jacket was slippery and as he slid further, Tonks grasped him around his wrist, one hand gripping the broom. Pain shot up her arm from the strain of trying to support Ron's (or Harry's) weight.
"Rennervate!" Tonks cried and Ron stirred, blinking, "Harry, hang on!" Ron looked around and his eyes widened as he glimpsed down. It was a long drop down. She felt him use both his hands to grip her arm and she started to attempt to tug him up but she glimpsed a dark blue jet of light approach Ron's head.
Her eyes widened as she recognised the curse that only Auror and Hit Wizards were permitted to use because of its potential fatality. She frantically tugged the broom sharply and she gritted her teeth as the blue light hit her arm, missing Ron's head by an inch. A loud crack was heard. She gritted her teeth against the burning pain in her arm that made letting go of Ron very tempting.
"Don't let go!" She shouted.
"Tonks…" Ron looked at her, conveying his apology as he held on, just as she instructed. He could feel her broken bones and Tonks gritted her teeth as the broom jerked and Ron's grip tightened.
The broom dipped further abruptly as Tonks felt her body tip and was unable to carry his weight. Harry was heavier and bigger than her. In the background, she could hear Bellatrix cackling as she and her death eaters neared them.
Tonks glanced at the approaching Bellatrix before locking eyes with Ron, "Trust me!" She said and he nodded. But his look of incredulity and shock told her he wasn't prepared when she let go of the broom and slid off it. Gravity dragged them down mercilessly. Tonks almost screamed when Ron's grip on her broken arm tightened but in part, she was glad he held on as she told him to.
Arresto Momento
Tonks' mind, trained to be composed, easily casted the spell and they slowed. In her haste, Tonks let the spell go when they were a few feet off the ground. She casted a cushioning charm for both herself and Ron. The moment her feet hit the ground, she scrambled on her hands and knees. Her hand came in contact with her broom, "Portus," She muttered, putting the outskirts of Muriel's house in mind, just outside the boundaries as the wards made it impossible to teleport to the house. The broom trembled and glowed blue on the ground.
"Tonks!" She heard Ron shout and she turned to see Bellatrix and the other 2 death eaters coming to land a distance from them. Bellatrix was smirking at her, her wand twirling between her fingers. She reached for Ron and he dove, grasping the hand of her broken arm. Pain shot up her arm but she bit back a cry as she reached for the broom.
A jet of white light streamed towards her. Tonks grunted in frustration as she was forced to step back from the broom to avoid it, falling on Ron. Before she could make a second attempt to dive for the broom, Bellatrix was onto her, firing curses and spells in rapid succession. Tonks parried as much as she could, keeping her hold on Ron.
When Bellatrix casted the killing curse, Tonks knew she wouldn't be able to avoid it in time but her wand had a different idea of its own. Fear and the need to survive fueled her strength and a dark shield appeared in front of her. The green jet of light was sucked into it and Bellatrix dove to the side, knowing what came next. Three jet of green emerged and hit the two remaining death eaters full in the face. Only one of them could scream in time before both collapsed.
Her breath hitched in her throat, the fact that she used dark magic sickened her. She could hear Ron whimper as the two bodies hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.
"Nymphie killed people," Bellatrix sang, sneering as Tonks paled.
"Tonks, come on," Ron whimpered but she was deaf to his pleas. Her heart was stone cold, her hands trembling as the realization of what she had done seeped in, "Tonks!" Ron shook her shoulder as Bellatrix sauntered towards them. She blinked, turning to him.
She raised her wand hand and parried away two of Bellatrix's curses, ducking down from the third. A curse was at the tip of her tongue but she hesitated.
Bellatrix then paused and looked up, cackling. Tonks didn't need to look to feel the chill seep into her bones. He's coming.
"Go!" Tonks jumped to her feet, hearing Ron behind her. Fighting Bellatrix had caused them to stray further from the broom than she intended to. She heard Ron throw spells behind them at Bellatrix as they made a mad dash to the broom.
When the chill set in her bones, Tonks knew it was too late. She felt a force push them back, knocking the wind out of her as she fell back, Ron falling a distance from her.
"Nymphadora," The smooth and calm voice sickened her with it's familiarity, "And isn't it Harry, again," She scrambled to her feet, glancing at Ron, thankful that he was still Harry; for she knew that if Voldemort was sure he wasn't, Ron would be killed without hesitation. Voldemort's blood red eyes held mirth, "they are playing a game with us, Bellatrix, isn't it fun?"
Bellatrix spat, "they don't understand that a quick death is easier for them,"
"Now now Bellatrix, let's play nice," Voldemort smirked, his eyes never leaving Tonks, "where is Rodolphus and Jugson?"
"She killed them," Bellatrix hissed.
Voldemort looked as surprised as Tonks had ever saw him, "Nymphadora," He then looked amused, "Dark arts is, eventually, becoming of you, even if your blood is…tainted,"
Tonks was barely listening. She glanced to Ron, who was stunned and seemed to be frozen as he stared at Voldemort.
"I chased Harry Potter, the one I thought to be real, to the safehouse but the wards around it proved impossible to penetrate. It is…well secured," Voldemort said, "We could break it if we gather our forces and if Nymphadora could tell us where Harry Potter would be," She glanced to Ron, "Unless…" He paused, "this is Harry Potter…" His voice trailed off and he turned to Ron. Tonks knew in her gut that the moment he scrutinize Ron, Voldemort would know he was an imposter and kill him. She owed Molly and Arthur too much to let anything happen to Ron.
She had to act now.
When she raised her wand, Bellatrix reacted instantly. Her curse missed Tonks' hand but disarmed her effectively. Tonks swore. She saw Voldemort's confusion but he took a step closer nonetheless. Wandlessly, she put all her focus into it and watched as the broom flew towards Ron.
"Grab it!" Tonks cried and Ron did as he was told.
Realisation seemed to hit Voldemort then, for he made to rush forward but he was too late.
With a flash, Ron, still in the form of Harry, was gone. The night was quiet and Tonks placed a hand on her stomach subconsciously.
"Nymphadora," Voldemort turned to her, his dark eyes seething with rage, "Why do you defy me constantly?"
She didn't speak as she merely glared at him. Tonks couldn't even see her wand and knew that no matter how angry she was, she would never be able to fight off Voldemort and Bellatrix at the same time.
"Come, we'll talk at the mansion," She stiffened as he took a step to her, his lips, so thin they were barely visible, was curled into that of a smile. Without warning, the tips of his finger touched her head and she felt the pull of apparition. She had to remind herself not to move for she knew it would only splinch her.
The mansion floor was cold. It was all she registered after apparition, that and a stinging slap across her cheek that sent her reeling to the floor.
"Tell me Nymphadora, where is Harry Potter sent to?" Voldemort seethed, leaning over her.
She grimaced, feeling her split lip and tasting the blood, "You'll never get to him," Tonks snapped, "he's well protected,"
"Yes, Severus did warn me," Voldemort leaned back, looking about ponderously. Tonks froze. Snape. He was the one who betrayed them, once again. He told the death eaters they would be moving Harry tonight.
Bellatrix was sauntering about behind Voldemort, eyeing her like an animal would eye its prey. Tonks moved to get up and Bellatrix's eyes bugged.
"That ring, is that the ring that filthy werewolf gave you for your wedding?" Bellatrix lunged forward and Tonks cried out as she yanked on her arm viciously, glaring at the ring at close proximity, "I will cut your finger off-"
"Bellatrix," Voldemort raised a hand and Bellatrix paused, displeased as she was dismissed, "you…disappoint me, Nymphadora," He took a step closer, "your talent for Dark arts is extraordinary, comparable to that of Bellatrix, if only you would work at it," Bellatrix hissed in fury at that, "but you have no intention of joining us. Why is that?"
Tonks sat up, cradling her broken arm. She toyed with the idea of feigning to join him again but she knew Voldemort would not be fooled twice and her ploy can only bring her this far. She knew she was going to die, the least she could do was spend the last moments of her life being someone she knew she always was, just as Mad-Eye believed she was, "Because you're cruel. Your idealism of a pure blooded society is sick. A muggleborn witch can be cleverer than any pure blood witch. A half blood wizard can be kinder than any pure blood can ever be. Pure blood doesn't make one superior over the other and you know that. You are not pure blooded and it sickens you,"
Pain burnt into her broken arm, searing her skin and melting her bones. Tonks gritted her teeth, refusing to cry out. It stopped and she realised tears were flowing down her face and she was lying flat on the floor.
"How dare she?! My lord, let me-" A man who still had his mask on stepped forward but Voldemort turned on him, eyes blood red and his hand shaking with fury.
"Avada Kedavra!" The man sank to the ground and remained still. The room was deathly quiet.
Bellatrix loomed over her. Tonks barely saw her feet before it stomped on her broken arm. She heard a sickening crunch before she felt the burning pain. She resolved not to scream but she did.
Bellatrix smirked as she leaned so close that Tonks could see her blackened teeth. It took all she had not to vomit all over the floor, "I could carve your face such that poor Andy would never recognise her own daughter," Tonks forced herself not to flinch as the cool blade ran down her cheek, "or I could cut off your fingers one by one and then your arm…" Tonks turned away as the blade run down her neck, "Let's start with your face," She felt the blade rest on her cheekbone and Bellatrix applied force, almost tantalizingly slow.
As the first hint of stinging pain was felt, once the blade broke skin, the door opened with a loud bang.
Severus Snape strutted into the room, glancing over Bellatrix, who was hunched over Tonks.
"Severus," Voldemort inclined his head in acknowledgement as Severus bowed, "What is it?"
"My Lord," Severus straightened out, looking stonily at Voldemort with unwavering eyes, "Do not kill Nymphadora, I beg you,"
Voldemort seemed amused rather than surprised, as Tonks was feeling. She had never seen Severus Snape plead, "You once pleaded with me this way and that is for a woman you foolishly loved," He paused, his eyes flickering to Tonks, "you have always done me a great service so I will hear what you have to say. Why should I spare her, Severus?"
Snape was rigid and tensed as he spoke, "My Lord, she is of more use to you alive than dead-"
"Lies!" Voldemort hissed, flicking his wand at Snape, who flew back, landing heavily on the marble floor. Tonks could see his nose bleeding as he got back up, "tell me truthfully, Severus."
"She- is important to me," Snape said and Bellatrix laughed, slashing Tonks in the face swiftly. She winced, feeling blood seep out of her wound, "and, she's carrying my child, My Lord. So I beg you," Bellatrix's eyes bugged.
Tonks paled.
Voldemort paused, evidently surprised but he was looking at Snape, who looked back stonily. It was a risk and Tonks knew it the moment the words were out of his mouth. Telling Voldemort could lead to her life being spared or instantly killed.
"On the service I have done you all these years, spare her, and the child," Snape spoke, confident and strong.
"Or it could be the child of the filthy werewolf," Voldemort hissed softly, "you are not certain and if it is the child of that creature, we will kill it, now," He raised his wand at her and Tonks placed her uninjured arm over her belly protectively.
Snape was expressionless as he regarded Voldemort. Without preamble, Snape dropped to his knees, "My Lord, I am certain for Nymphadora would never lie with Remus Lupin and what loss could we have, to keep her alive, to let the child be born," Voldemort looked down at Snape.
And he laughed.
"If that were true," Voldemort locked eyes with Snape once more, "you would have done me another excellent service for we will keep the child, and Nymphadora, here and I will teach the child personally when he becomes of age. I would make him the greatest wizard a new pure blooded wizarding world has ever seen,"
"My Lord," Bellatrix's eyes were wide with horror, "you can't possibly believe such lies-"
"Lies, Bellatrix?" Voldemort hissed, evidently enraged, "Severus has provided me with more truthful information all these years and more service than any of you have ever given me. And what more, what harm could an infant bring to us?" With that, Bellatrix was quiet, glaring at Snape, "take her, Severus but she shall reside in this mansion from this day on, till the child is born," Severus nodded his thanks.
Tonks froze, feeling every inch of her body object as she felt Snape lift her into his arms. She whimpered as her arm was jostled but clamped her mouth shut. She looked at his expressionless visage, thoroughly confused, as he carried out of the hall. Why has he helped her? Why should he?
"Why?" She whispered, her voice hoarse. She felt him begin to climb the stairs.
He looked down at her and before he could reply, she felt her world spin and darkness consumed her before her head lolled to the side.
A/N: hope you enjoyed this chapter! A huge thanks for the reviewers of last chapter: guest, remusdora, Lupinesence, Hazel McKinley and pleione-x!
Please do drop me a review for this one :)