Tonks panted hard, trying to breath like she had been taught for scenarios like that. In through her nose and out through her mouth. In, out. In out. Pace yourself. No going too slow but no going too fast either. Careful balance.

Of course, balance was one thing she didn't have and she promptly fell over her own feet. Again. That had to be the fifth time. Once per lap so far. Five more to go.

And before anyone got any ideas, she was not doing this willingly. No way. Why on earth would she make herself do laps or even want to? No. She wasn't some health nut. Clumsy people didn't get to be joggers or sprinters or whatever, it was just too dangerous for people like her. And you'd think Moody would know that but noooo, he just dragged her out here and told her to run like the sadist he was.

"Ouch!"

And she was on the ground again. See? Not made for running. Around tracks, anyway. Inexplicably, she was starting to get better at the obstacle course. Maybe it was because there were things, she could grab a hold of to stay upright? Eh, she didn't know. All she knew that she was getting better and that's all that mattered.

As was picking yourself up when you did fall down, on that note. Jumping to her feet, Tonks started running again, cursing Moody with every step. He was the reason that she was on this damned course. Well, mostly. Kind of. It was his fault. He didn't have to make her do laps. It was just plain awful. She would rather have stinging hexes thrown at her and being made to dodge. He'd made her do that the other day too, to improve her reflexes, he'd said. Well, it had improved the stupid bruise on her side from colliding with things. It had literally turned all of the colours of the rainbow.

At least he hadn't dumped her on the super long course. That would be about ten times worse. Not that this track was easy, especially when you had to do ten laps around it. But still, it could be worse. She may as well be a little bit optimistic. It might just get her around this course.

She hated, hated, hated laps so much. Which is probably why Moody used them on her. Because they worked. Somewhat. Even if they so pissed her off. Which she supposed was kind of the point. Whatever. She didn't like them and that was that.

Granted, this was her own fault, even she knew that. She knew that although Moody didn't mind her being cheeky (to a point) or asking what most would deem impertinent questions (like asking how he dealt with his leg when being sneaky), he did have his limits. Well known limits. It wasn't like she didn't know them. She just chooses to ignore them today. Well, choose to was a strong word. That implied that she had been thinking which obviously she hadn't been.

You see, she had whined at Moody today. He didn't like whining, said it achieved nothing and was downright annoying. There were better ways to tell people you were pissed off. As in, telling people straight that you were pissed off or poiin5ing out what was wrong with something No beating around the bush or moaning about things that you could do something about.

And Tonks knew this but she still chose to whine about a way that he chose to teach her something. He'd allowed the first whine, probably because he managed to throw her into a desk - they really had to stop doing those exercises in his office. The second one he'd given her a warning look which had gone unheeded. The third one was treated straw which had made he drag, actually drag her outside and dump her on one of the running tracks in the Academy. Thankfully it wasn't one of the obstacle courses, it made the laps he'd ordered her to do slightly easier. Slightly.

"Maybe this will tire you out so much that you won't have any energy to whinge," he'd grunted at her. "Ten laps."

She'd stared at him, ready to combine that kt was unfair but he'd given her a sharp look and decided against jt. She had got herself into more than enough trouble, after all. So, she ran around the track. And ran. And ran. And ran. It felt longer than it actually was. She couldn't believe that she was only halfway done!

"Tonks?"

She didn't even have enough breath to groan, even though she wanted to. That was McCabbert walking across the track. Who walked across the track when someone was running towards you?

"Can't stop," Tonks said. "Need to keep going."

"Oh-kay," bit McCabbert actually decided to join her.

Tonks didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. It wasn't like she was good company huffing and puffing with a bright red face.

"So, what's going on?" She asked, matching Tonks' pace.

"Doing laps."

"Why?"

"Piss- pissed off Moody."

"Again, why?"

"Too cheeky, apparently."

McCabbert's eyes bugged out.

"You were cheeky to Moody?"

"Didn't go over too well."

"Obviously."

"How many laps?"

"Ten."

"Sucks to be you."

"I know."

McCabbert actually stayed with her for more than half a lap before slowing down.

"Right, I'm not going to do laps just for fun," McCabbert said with a laugh and stopped, giving her a wave as she jogged on. "You have fun now."

Tonks was not tired enough to not give McCabbert the finger as she walked away, laughing at her misfortune.

Okay, now she did have to stop, or at least slow to a walk. The stitch in her side was now like a stabbing pain instead of a throb. Walking the course still counted as her laps, right? Right? Well, she didn't really have a choice at the minute, it was either walk or double over in pain so she'd take the walk option.

She did manage to jog the last lap, which was somewhat satisfying even if it did push her. Eurgh.

She collapsed on the ground and two beat up boots came into view. Very familiar boots. She groaned at them. Which earned her a chuckle which was cruel. She was tempted to give him a rude gesture in response but that sort of thing would probably ensure that she was put on that longer course for even more laps. Not something she wanted to do, so she restrained herself. Look at her with the thinking things through before she did them. Apparently, she could be taught. Still. Laughing at the current state she was in was just plain mean!

"Learned your lesson?"

Still panting hard, she glared at him. Moody gave her a fake thoughtful look.

"Maybe you should do another five laps, just so I can be sure."

Tonks scrambled quickly to her feet at that. No way was she going to do anymore laps!

"No! I've learned my lesson," she said quickly with wide eyes. "I'm sorry for mouthing off. Seriously."

Moody snorted at that. "Uh huh."

"I am!"

"Only until the next time you mouth off."

She gave him a sheepish look. "Can I pre-emptively ask for forgiveness?"