Finally had a chance to go see HPDH part 2(weeks ago now)…I feel as if my youth is over now. HP was such a big part of it and it was really the last thing connecting me to that time. Now its done and I have a bit of feeling of bereavement. Oh well, Movie was "epic". I don't like to use that word, but in this case I'll make an exception, and it did inspire me to write, so without further angst, here is the newest chap. Hope you enjoy it.

Remus eyed the phoglass in the corner of the room. He got the distinct feeling that he was being watched, but perhaps that came from the fact that Moody's eye kept whirling, every now and then landing on him.

"Was good of ya to come out here Lupin," he said gruffly, as he sat at his kitchen table, hoisting his wooden leg onto the seat adjacent and readjusting it with a sigh.

"It's no trouble Alaster," he assured him. "Besides its not like I really had much else to do." The last part of his statement came with just a touch of bitterness and Moody smirked.

"Bloody Umbridge. Didn't waste any time with that legislation did she? Next thing they'll be branding ya, just like cattle on a farm."

It was Remus's turn to smirk, "Oh believe me, the thought has entered my mind a few times. Thankfully they haven't come to my house yet. That would cause no end of problems."

Moody opened his flask eyed the contents and took a swig, whipping his mouth with the back of his hand. "It would that. Course they'd probably have to dig those wizards up if your missus had anything to say about it."

This caused Remus to laugh, albeit ruefully. "They would that."

Moody eyed him critically. "How's she been then? Hawksley giving her any guff?"

He sighed and looked at his hands. "She doesn't really talk about it, to be honest and I suppose I've been too wrapped up in trying not to be angry, that I haven't really asked. Well at least not after the first three or four times, when she snapped at me."

Moody snorted, "Stubborn the pair of ya. You've got every right to be angrier then Aberfroth when they confiscate his goats. No one holds it against ya. As for Nymphadora I have no doubt that she can handle anything thrown at her, you tell her to keep her head down though. I didn't put all that time into her for her to go and get herself chucked out for cursing a colleague, if you can call him that. Was never too sure about Hawksley, he comes from the stock that's taught not to trust their gut instinct. Not like you and I that one. She's better then him, always has been."

Remus was somewhat touched; he had never heard Moody make a speech as long as that unless he was berating someone for their lack of vigilance.

"I think Mark feels betrayed more than anything. Both his Partner and his wife were keeping secrets from him after all." He supplied, fairly.

Again Moody snorted, this time in derision. "Weren't their secret to tell now was it? Nah, he's just got a broom up his arse that one."

Remus's lips curved slightly, but that was all that gave away his amusement. "So, Albus has asked you to teach?"

Moody nodded. "Can't imagine it. Me teaching a bunch of school children," he shook his head. "But Albus can be persuasive that's for sure."

"That he can," Remus sighed. "Its good that he asked you actually. Those students were sorely behind in defense, I have to say. I did my best to catch them up, but still…"

Moody eyed him again with both his good and bad eyes. It was an unnerving gaze. "From what I hear you did one hell of a job at catching them up. These kids are coddled too much now as it is. Don't know how to watch their own backs let alone each others. Not like how it used to be. Course, they don't think they have anything to worry bout now do they? Bloody ignorance, its gonna get them killed mark me."

Remus had no reply, although he found he couldn't disagree. Of course he knew a few young people who weren't so blind…

"So. Tell me what I'm getting myself into Lupin." +++

Tonks shuffled the papers at her desk, trying in vain for some semblance of organization. She knew she should just give it up as a bad job, really when had she ever been organized? The idea was laughable. She lived her life in a whirlwind of perpetual chaos, and had always liked it that way. Of course that didn't really translate well when it came to keeping her work area neat. Just this morning as she'd been heading home after a long and tedious night shift, she'd received a memo from Robbards politely asking if she could please remedy the situation that was her cubicle, in a timely fashion if it suited. Another words, she thought wryly, clean up the bloody mess or we will be having words.

The office was strangely quiet, even for the night shift. It was a bit unnerving. Recently she'd found herself assigned to night shift, due to the lack of a partner she was sure. Part of her wished that she could be assigned to a task force, like Kingsley, so she would at least have something other then fielding false reports to contend with. She never was one to just sit back, and so she was finding the night shift particularly boring. One would think that a lot of dark activity occurred at night, and yet in the past week she'd only been to two actual legitimate calls. Tonight everyone who was able to was at the Quidditch World Cup. The ministry had been completely a buzz for weeks with all the final preparations; it seemed almost every department had to be involved in some capacity.

Tonks had turned on the small wireless she kept on her desk earlier, to hear the commentary on the game and had cheered along with the rest of those stuck in the office when Ireland won. Now, the WWN was playing the latest Weird Sisters hit, and she sang along under her breath as she shifted yet another stack of parchment documents.

"Gideon Dockens?" she read aloud glancing at the top report, her slender brow furrowing. The frown turned into a scowl for a moment, before her face smoothed into a look of blank resignation. This was not her report. It was in fact one of Mark's from a few months ago.

"Merlin's bandy old legs," she muttered, already standing and dumping the rest of the stack unceremoniously onto her chair. "I am so bloody tired of this."

In the past it had never been a problem when she found Mark's reports in with hers. It happened more often then not and had always been met with an amused, albeit baleful look from her partner. Former partner.

Now though, every time she found one, all from months ago, it caused stress. "This is the last one I deliver to his desk," she told herself as she strode down the hall between offices to Mark's cubicle. "After this, any that are found will be promptly set on fire or shredded. I am not his bloody secretary." Barely glancing at the pictures on his very neatly organized desk, of course he'd have everything lined up perfectly the sod, she placed it on top of a pile of files briefly thought of leaving a note, quickly banished that thought as a bad job and made her way back to her own desk.

Two hours later, just a Celestina Warbeck's whiny voice came over the wireless, a sharp alarm blared through the office. Tonks found her body tensing involuntarily, even as she jumped to her feet, palmed her wand and ran out into the hall promptly crashing into Williamson, who grabbed her arm and pulled her hurriedly back to her feet before propelling them both down the hall. She had not heard this particular alarm in 13 years.

"Quidditch World Cup," Dawlish barked as the seven other Aurors on night duty converged around the lift. "Its complete chaos. Keep sharp, and aim to stun unless there is no other way. We want to bring them in, in a coherent enough state for questioning!"

The Aurors all filed onto the lift, wands clasped in their hands. Tonks could feel the adrenaline already coursing through her, as well as a sick anticipation. It was the feeling that had always come over her upon hearing the alarm. The one that meant the Dark Mark had been sighted. +++

It was late morning by the time Tonks finally made it home. She was sure she hadn't felt this grungy since she was in her twenties and stumbling home from the pub with Remus amusedly trying to keep her on her feet. Her makeup was smeared, only making the dark circles under her eyes appear even more so. Her hair was even more at odds then usual.

She leaned against the doorframe for a moment, taking a deep breath of coastal air and then pushed the door open, stumbled inside and collapsed face down onto the couch. Not even a minute later she felt her legs being gently moved and settled again at a slightly higher angle. Warm hands smoothed down her calves.

"Rough night?"

She sighed and slowly rolled over so her face wasn't completely obscured by the worn couch cushion. She could just see him through the hair that had fallen into her eyes. "Have you read the prophet yet today? I'm sure they've detailed it all."

Remus smirked. "Course I've read it Dora. I was wondering what really happened."

She snorted, laughing slightly. "Pretty much just as they said. Death Eaters showed up, terrorized some Muggles and half the Wizarding population of the world and then buggered off before we could catch any of them. Just like old times yeah?"

She sighed again and finished rolling over on to her back. "Williamson told me something interesting though."

"Hmm?" Remus had been lost in thought for a moment, but quickly tuned back in when he saw her looking at him, raccoon eyes expectant. "Sorry, what did he say?"

"They thought Harry had sent up that Dark Mark."

"What?" he demanded sharply.

Tonks raised a brow and shrugged. "Seems his wand was used for it. Half the ministry was ready to jump on him, poor kid. Crouch was out for him immediately. Course it turned out in the end that it was Crouch's House Elf that sent up the mark; she stole Harry's wand during the match. They were all sitting together apparently."

"A House Elf sent up the Dark Mark?" He asked disbelievingly, as she stood and stretched. "I find that hard to believe."

Tonks nodded, stifling a yawn. "Me too. But who's going to argue with the likes of Bartty Crouch, yeah? This will all get swept away into a neat little file, like nothing ever happened. Like the Death Eaters didn't just attack after 13 years of silence. You ask me none of its coincidental."

Remus nodded, mind already wandering to all the possibilities of what this could mean. "No, not with all that's happened recently."

She leaned over, gripping the arm of the couch to steady her self and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Well I'm for bed. We can discuss all the potential outcomes of last night after I'm actually reasonably awake, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Good." With that parting word, Tonks made her way up stairs and hardly pausing to shuck her Auror robes flopped down onto the bed and promptly fell into a sleep full of the image of a bright green scull hovering overhead.