"Everything's perfect hero," Nym said with a smile. "Let's go home." She took him by the hand, and apparated them back to her flat.
"Ugh... just call me Tonks," Nym looked down at the Elf. She saw Harry suppressing a grin, and mock-glared at him. "Dobby, I need to head out for a bit. I trust you to keep my Harry safe – if anything happens, pop him back to Privet Drive, okay?"
"Yes Miss Just-Call-Me-Tonks," Dobby piped up, nodding energetically. "If Great Master Harry Potter Sir is in troubles Dobby do."
"Nym? What's going on?" Harry took her by the hand.
"Nothing love, but I want to be certain you're safe. I need to go to Mumble Mumble and maybe Hogwarts, so I don't know how long I'll be out." She answered, squeezing his hand with hers.
"You're going where?" Harry was sure she had said something, but for some reason he hadn't been able to hear it.
"Oh... I forgot you're not in to the secret yet," Nym looked a bit embarrassed. "Dumbledore's the secret keeper so nothing I can do about that. I'm off to Order Headquarters. Do you want me to tell your friends anything while I'm there?"
"Some friends," Harry grumbled. "Nah, better not... as far as they know, I'm stuck in Privet Prison and you're no longer a guard, remember? I'll write Ginny a note to send with Hedwig later."
"You do that hero," Nym leant in and kissed his cheek. "Also work on your binding spell a bit. When I get back, I'm going to see how well you hold up against a trained Auror in a duel."
"Where are you going to find an Auror who knows how to fight then?" Harry grinned mischievously at her.
"Git," Nym said lovingly at him. "I'll be back soon, stay safe!" She saw Dobby nod, and apparated away to reappear on the doorstep of number 12 Grimmauld Place a little later. She knocked on the door, and waited for someone to let her in.
The door opened to how Severus Snape. "Nymphadora... you are not expected here," the cantankerous Potioneer said with a sneer on his face. "Password?"
"Lux Invicta, and it's Tonks!" Nym bit back at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Step inside silly woman, do you want us to get caught?" Snape glared at her, as he made room for her to pass. Nym was glaring back at him, and so didn't pay attention to her feet... and crashed straight into her nemesis, the troll leg umbrella stand. It fell over with a loud clang, and the curtain in front of Walburga Black's portrait shot open.
"Now look what you did, infuriating woman!" Snape insulted the Auror, yelling to be heard over the portrait's stream of insults.
"What in Mordred's Name is going on here?" Sirius rushed in from the far door. "Snivellus, stop bothering my cousin!" Sirius looked angrily at Snape as he took in the situation.
"You'd do well to remember your place, mutt," Snape said back in a sharp tone.
"Right... err... I'll be back," Nym softly said, backing away from the two enemies. She rushed to the kitchen, closing the door behind her with a sigh of relief... and saw almost the entire Order looking at her.
"Errr... wotcher all," she said in a cheery tone. "Thought I'd drop by."
"Well, you were unexpected, but are always welcome Nymphadora," Dumbledore was the first to speak. Nothing in his demeanour indicated he was in the least surprised to see her.
"It's Tonks sir," Nym rolled her eyes as she corrected him again.
"Ah, forgive an old man," Dumbledore nodded. "Do sit down dear girl. We were just discussing the need to secure the Hall of Prophecies."
As Nym sat down, the discussion the Order members had been having started back up, with people arguing the benefits and disadvantages of staging a guard in the Department of Mysteries. Nym was not in possession of all the facts, so kept silent as the others talked on.
Snape and Sirius entered the room as the discussion went on, sitting back down on opposite sides of the table, Sirius taking his seat back next to Nym.
Finally Dumbledore decided that a guard was needed, and all but ordered Arthur Weasley to find a way to get access to the access corridor to the Department of Mysteries for himself, and the other Order Members.
"With that decided, I think we can call this meeting to a close. I am sure we all have other things to do?" Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling as he looked over the table at his loyal followers.
"Actually there was one thing sir," Nym spoke up as she noticed the others kept silent. "But it's regarding Hogwarts, not really Order business," she added as she saw some of the others roll their eyes. Apparently the meeting had been going on for a while now.
"Will we be needing Severus and Minerva for this?" Dumbledore asked her.
"No sir... or maybe Professor McGonagall," Nym amended herself. McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress after all.
"Very well. Everyone other than Minerva then, thank you for coming. We will be meeting again next week."
The room cleared out, even the Weasleys and Sirius leaving, letting only Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Nym behind.
"What was it you wanted to discuss Nym– Miss Tonks?" Dumbledore sat back in his chair, looking relaxed.
"Well, actually, I had a favour to ask sir," Nym haltingly started. "You see, with the cutbacks in the Auror budget and all, Madam Bones called me in today and said she would have to put me on unpaid leave for a while... I'm still a junior Auror, and it's pretty much last one in, first one out..."
"I see," Dumbledore stroked his beard. "That is unfortunate. I would normally not hesitate to lend you some money my dear, but in the current situation that is –"
"I'm not asking for money," Nym quickly interrupted him. "Sir, the last time you mentioned it, you said you were still looking for a Defence teacher for the upcoming school year. Is that still the case?"
Dumbledore actually looked surprised, but quickly took on a neutral expression again. "Alas, my only candidate was Remus, but the Board of Governors rejected his application citing he was a known werewolf. I am therefore still looking."
Nym smiled, that was what she was hoping. "Well then sir, if you'll take me... I'd like to apply for the job."
"You want to be the next DADA teacher?" Professor McGonagall sounded happy. "Albus, accept her! Miss Tonks was near the top of her NEWT class, and Pomona has nothing but good words for her."
"I will trust your judgement Minerva," Dumbledore nodded. "Very well then Miss Tonks, or I should say, Professor Tonks, you have the job. Please get your book list for all seven years ready as soon as possible, we were only waiting for your position to be filled. Minerva can fill you in on the details, I really need to get back to Hogwarts now." He stood up, and extended his hand. A little hesitatingly, Nym shook it. "I am looking forward to working with you," Dumbledore said as he squeezed her hand, then exited the kitchen.
"Oh this is wonderful," Minerva beamed at Nym. "Don't tell Albus this, but I was afraid that if he hadn't found someone by mid July, the Ministry would step in. Merlin knows who they'd send to us..." She trailed off a bit, then shook her head to clear her senses. "Do you have lesson plans yet? If there is anything I can do to help, let me know all right?" Energetically she started telling Nym all about the teacher's responsibilities, and when she had to be at the castle, and other details.
–--
Nym felt a bit of a head-ache coming on as she exited the kitchen, leaving a happy McGonagall behind. Finding the entrance hallway empty and the curtain fortunately closed, she stepped into the library. Her face lit up as she found Sirius reading there.
"Just the escaped criminal I was looking for," she teasingly said.
"Hey, it's my cousin's brat," Sirius said back with a grin. "What did you need to talk with Dumbledore about?"
"Err, can you raise a privacy ward?" Nym said as she walked further in, and took a seat.
"Sure," Sirius agreed, raising his wand to cast the required spells. "There, that locked the door and should stop eaves droppers."
"Great," Nym relaxed. "Harry and I went back to Bonesy, she had some more questions about Harry's memory. When she saw Pettigrew Harry brought up you were innocent, and that he had proof – he gave her his memory of your escape from the Shrieking Shack and all."
"Woah..." Sirius breathed out sharply. "So... I am going to be a free man?"
"She's working on it," Nym said encouragingly. "Harry also gave her other memories... to but it bluntly, Hogwarts is a death trap for my man. Madam Bones ordered me to stay close to him, so–"
"I bet you just hate that assignment," Sirius threw in with a laugh.
"Shut it you," Nym blushed from head to toe, even her hair turning red. "An... anyway, so I am the new DADA teacher..."
Sirius whistled, "Damn, my godson is a lucky lad! Not even I got one of my teachers in my bed at Hogwarts!"
"Should I call in Professor McGonagall, oh ladies man you?" Nym decided that teasing back was probably the best way to get him to stop.
"Errr... not quite," Sirius answered, and barked out a laugh. "You should talk to Remus, he's upstairs in the Trophy Room. I bet he would let you use his lesson plans."
"Thanks, good advice," Nym appreciated the help. "The simulacrum worked out perfectly as well. I bet the Dursleys don't have a clue, let alone the Order babysitters."
"How is Harry otherwise? You got him over his sulk yet?" Sirius desperately wanted more time with his godson... but Dumbledore was insistent on not getting Harry to Headquarters until his birthday at the soonest.
"Did I ever," Nym started to blush again. "I've been training him a bit, nothing major, but starting Auror stuff. With his rotten luck he'll need the experience for the upcoming year."
"And I bet getting him all muscle-y and toned up is a nice benefit as well," Sirius couldn't resist. As Nym started to blush again, he burst out in laughter.
–--
Nym apparated back to her flat and found Harry lounging on her couch watching the television. 'Can't have that,' she thought to herself, and raised her wand at him. "Pungo", her Stinging Hex flew over to the couch... and hit the back of it, as Harry rolled out of the way.
"Incarcerous!" the young wizard yelled, and Nym had no time to dodge, as ropes bound her. "Well well well, look what I caught," Harry said with an amused tone.
"Yes well done Harry, now let me up," Nym grumbled. "Quick moves there, I thought I had you. How did you know I was there?"
"I heard you pop in," Harry said as he walked over to her. "Look at you, all tied up and at my mercy."
Nym felt a light shudder of delight as he put her in a sitting position. 'Where is the timid boy I took from Privet Drive?' she wondered to herself.
"Okay hero, you had your fun, let me up," she said out loud.
"Nah, I think not. I earned a reward didn't I?" Harry shot her a wink. He put his arms around her, and somehow lifted her up in his arms.
"Harry? What are you planning?" Nym tried, and failed, to keep the anticipation out of her voice. She was not used to not being in control, but by Morgana, she liked it with him!
"You'll see," Harry placed her on the living room table so that her legs were dangling over the side. With the ropes still tying her arms against her body, Nym was unable to move much so had no choice but to let him manipulate her into position.
"I think you're wearing far too many clothes," Harry whipped his wand out of his arm holster again, and pointed at the tied up Auror.
"Evanesco," Harry cast, and Nym felt more than saw her jeans disappear.
"That was my favourite pair! You're so going to pay for that mister," she complained, but her heart was not in it. "Harry? What are you doing?" Her boyfriend knelt down before the table, and put her legs on his shoulders. "Harry? Oh!" As he began laying kisses on her thigh and working his way up, Nym stopped her complaining.
–--
Later that afternoon Nym was lying on the floor, her arms and legs still wrapped around Harry, as he had almost dozed off. His head was resting on her chest when he woke up a little and raised his head.
"So... what did you have talk about with the Headmaster anyway?" he asked her, then put his head back down and gave a lick on the nipple he saw in front of him.
"Enough of that love," Nym said with a giggle in her voice. "Time enough for that later. Don't you want to hear my news?"
Reluctantly Harry got up, and helped her to her feet. They began gathering their clothes and re-dressing. "So, are you going to tell me or what?" Harry asked her as he put his T-shirt over his head.
Nym wriggled into a new pair of trousers then took a pose. "Ask me again," she instructed him.
"Okay... what's your news Nym?" Harry sounded amused by her antics.
"That's Professor Tonks to you mister," Nym said in a stern tone, but her eyes were shining with delight.
"Whaa?" Harry looked at her stupidly.
"And here I thought you were smart," she let out a giggle. "I told you I wouldn't let you out of my sight again hero. This next year, I'm your Defence teacher!"
"What? You... teacher? Hogwarts?" Harry still didn't quite let the facts register.
"Just imagine it luv... lots of late night detentions with me," Nym stepped closer, and hugged him to her again. "Now won't that be a nice change from before?"
"Oh wow... that is good news. And I think I can see the benefits of it," Harry mischievously answered, wrapping his arms around her and kneading her bum.
Before they could get into any further celebration, they were interrupted by Dobby popping back in the room.
"Is Great Master Harry Potter Sir and his Miss finished makings a mess in the room?" he asked them.
Harry blushed, leaving Nym to answer that yes, they were.
"Then Dobby is startings the cleanings. Oh, and Miss Just-Call-Me-Tonks' mother said that she is expectings her and Great Master Harry Potter Sir for tea this weekend," Dobby informed them.
Nym blanched, "Was... was she here Dobby?"
"Yes Miss Just-Call-Me-Tonks," Dobby nodded. "Dobby is tellings her Miss Just-Call-Me-Tonks and Great Master Harry Potter Sir is busy makings little wizards, so Miss Just-Call-Me-Tonks' mother is leavings." Dobby drooped his head a bit, "Did Dobby do wrong?"
"Oh no Dobby, you are a perfect Elf," Nym assured him quickly, then turned to her boyfriend. "Err... well love, how do you feel about meeting my parents this weekend?"
Harry looked like he'd rather be back at the Little Hangleton graveyard than right beside her just then.