September 1984

"Dora! That's what they call you, is it?"

Nymphadora Tonks jumped at the sudden voice behind her and promptly dropped the letter she was reading into her pumpkin juice. She fished it out in what she hoped was a casual manner and tried to stop herself (face and hair) from going red.

"Interesting. Even your parents can't be bothered to call you by your full name. I guess Dora is an improvement, Nymphadora has far too many syllables!"

"I've told you, it's Tonks," she growled, finally turning around to face her antagoniser and not being at all surprised to see a shock of red hair.

"No, I like Dora. I'll see you in Transfiguration, Dora."

With that, he strode back to the Gryffindor table.

She had a horrible feeling that she would never get him to call her Tonks.