Not Going Anywhere

by hmweasley

Tonks has been proving herself since she first revealed that she'd be an Auror only to be faced by sceptical classmates. Years later, a full-fledged Auror, she's supposed to be past that, but joining the Order of the Phoenix is another reminder of just how inexperienced she still is. Luckily, she's not ready to give up yet.

33. Chapter 33

Tonks dodged one of Bellatrix's spells before firing off one of her own. She'd known what the risks were if Hogwarts was infiltrated while she was there, but she truly hadn't expected a fight when Dumbledore summoned her to the castle that day. Hogwarts' wards were the strongest in Britain and possibly one of the strongest in the world.

Yet there she was, facing off against her estranged aunt, who had killed one of the only magical relatives she had who accepted her just a year before. Bellatrix seemed to have become even more crazed since then, which Tonks hadn't thought was possible.

Bellatrix shot around a corner, and Tonks followed her. Focusing her attention on Bellatrix hadn't been a conscious decision, but she couldn't deny that she was more concerned with stopping her than any of the others.

Down the corridor, Remus faced off with an older male Death Eater who Tonks couldn't connect to a name. Bellatrix fired her own spell at Remus. Tonks gasped, but Remus dodged the spell seconds before it hit him.

Tonks fired of a stunning spell at Bellatrix's back, but Bellatrix dodged it. She slowed her steps and turned to face Tonks.

"You're very concerned about that werewolf filth, aren't you?"

Tonks couldn't control the expression on her face, and Bellatrix's smirk widened.

"You're a lot less colourful than the last time I saw you too," she said, motioning at Tonks' mousy brown hair. "Congratulations on bringing the family even more shame than your Mudblood-loving mother. I didn't think that was possible. It really is sullying the bloodline if a Mudblood marriage leads to the next generation fancying creatures."

Tonks knew that defending herself with words wouldn't make a difference. She couldn't even bring herself to look at Remus to see if he'd heard Bellatrix's insult. Tonks aimed a Leg-Locker curse at Bellatrix's knees, but the witch dodged again.

"Bellatrix!" another Death Eater snapped. "Let's go!"

"Oh, but I'm having so much fun," Bellatrix said with a laugh. She hurried after the other Death Eaters. "We'll resume this at another time," she shouted over her shoulder at Tonks.

Tonks pursued her and the other Death Eaters through the corridor. At least they were heading for the door instead of dispersing throughout the castle.

She and the other Order members chased them to the edge of the grounds. Just beyond the gate, Bellatrix turned back.

It was Tonks she smirked at.