Chapter 3

Tonks sighed as she got done with training for the day. Moody had pushed them hard, and Tonks had been getting increasingly more depressed by the day, and even throwing herself into work hadn't really helped her mind.

It had been three weeks since she'd written to Harry and so far she hadn't received a reply. The rational part of her tried to reason that he'd just started at Hogwarts and was probably trying to settle in, or that he was trying to maybe figure some things out, or that maybe he was getting so much fan mail that he hadn't even seen her letter. He was Harry Potter after all, and if they'd been keeping his knowledge of the wizarding world a secret from him, then he might have a bunch of letters backed up.

Despite all those valid reasons why he might not have written back to her, a big part of her simply believed that he had read her letter and dismissed her, wanting nothing to do with some older girl who'd recently lost her parents, and was writing to him because she knew him when he was one years old.

She couldn't even blame him, but it still was breaking her heart thinking that he'd decided not to write her back. She didn't even know him, not anymore, and she could admit it was hard to think of the eleven year old boy he was now compared to the energetic toddler he had been. Other than stories of his parents, there really wasn't a lot to be gained on his part from responding to her, and he might not really be interested in hearing about his parents, if his aunt and uncle had grown up acting as his parents.

"Tonks," a voice barked, and she jumped slightly, wincing knowing exactly the rebuke she was going to get as she turned to see a scowling Mad-Eye. "Constant vigilance!"

"Sorry, Mad-Eye," Tonks muttered contritely.

He rolled his eyes. "Get home and get some rest and try and get your head on. Even if it means I have to see that lurid pink, it's getting damn annoying seeing that depressing mousy brown."

"Understood, sir," Tonks said with a sigh and then quickly apparated away before he could say anything else, or give her homework or make her do physical exercises as a punishment for not practicing "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

She appeared in the alleyway out back of her flat, which she'd put a slight muggle repelling charm on so that she wouldn't have to worry about anyone being there or seeing her. She made her way to the front of her building, went in and went to her flat on the second floor.

She let herself in and immediately walked over to the fridge to get some leftovers out for dinner. She really wasn't in the mood to cook anything, but she also didn't want to go out, otherwise she would have taken Stacey and Nicole up on their offers.

Growing up with her parents, she was familiar with muggle appliances, and while she preferred wizard appliances for certain things, she did enjoy having a microwave and a television. She popped her leftovers into the microwave and then went and turned on the telly while her food was heating up.

She was starting to scan through the channels when she heard a tapping on her window, which made her jump up slightly, her hand jumping towards her wand, which she'd left on her kitchen counters. She glanced to see a beautiful white snowy owl hovering outside her window.

Cursing herself for her reactions and for not keeping her wand near her, knowing how Moody would have reacted, she quickly grabbed her wand, and used a charm to let the owl in.

"Well aren't you a pretty one," Tonks muttered, unable to help herself and the owl hooted appreciatively while Tonks removed the letter, wondering what the Ministry could possibly be sending her after the duty day.

She opened it up and started to read rather blandly, expecting a Ministry letter only to stop a sentence in, realizing that this wasn't from the Ministry. She glanced down at the bottom of the letter to see the name signed.

Harry Potter.

Hands shaking slightly, she turned back up to the top of the letter, her nerves a bit frazzled wondering if this letter could be the start of her getting Harry back into her life or if he was sending her a condolences letter out of kindness.

Dora or Tonks,

I'm really not sure what you prefer, but if everyone else calls you Tonks, then I feel like I should try and call you Dora. If you disagree, please let me know. I'm sorry for not responding quicker. I really appreciated your letter, but honestly, I really wasn't sure how to respond, or what I should write. Based on your letter, I guess you probably know how that feels. I'm sorry to say I don't remember you, but I do think I might have remembered your laugh when I looked at the pictures you sent, but I could have been imagining it.

As for my relatives, well they didn't tell me anything about the wizarding world, my parents, or really anything for that matter. The only thing I had been told was that my parents died in a car crash . . . well and that they weren't the 'right sort of people' according to my relatives. If you can't tell, my relatives didn't particularly like my parents.

I really want to thank you for those photos . . . they're actually the first photos of my parents that I've ever seen, so I'm really grateful, and I would love to hear any of the stories you might have, both about my parents and about yours and you, since it sounds like we all were very close. I'm sorry to hear that your parents passed. I may not remember my parents, but I know what it's like to not have them, and I'm sure it's hard, maybe even harder for you than for me, since you do know what it's like to have parents.

I never knew that anyone else wanted to take me in. I wish someone had told my relatives or your parents that. My aunt and uncle would have given me away immediately. They've never been particularly fond of me.

I would like to start writing and exchanging letters with you and attempt to reforge our bond of friendship or our familial bond. I've never really had anyone to write to before, so hopefully I don't bore you, and if I do, I guess I'll understand if you want to stop writing to me. You're obviously older, so I assume you have more important things to do than worry about the writings of a kid.

Like I wrote a bit earlier, I would love to hear stories and maybe see more photos of our families. Now I feel like I'm rambling.

Anyways, I'd love to hear about you and your life, and well, I don't know what you want to know about me, but if you write back to me back, I'll try and answer whatever you want to know, so in an effort to start off, I figured I'd tell you what my experience at Hogwarts has been like so far.

First, this castle is incredible, but I do wish there was a map of this castle. My new friend Ron Weasley and I managed to get lost multiple times on our first day. We managed to get on the wrong side of the caretaker, Filch, when we got lost and tried to get into the corridor on the third floor, which is apparently off limits. Filch really didn't want to believe that we didn't know where we were going.

Magic is brilliant, though I really didn't understand that there's a lot more to this whole magic thing than waving your wand and saying some funny words. That doesn't even count the classes that I can't really tell what they have to do with magic. I mean, I assume you went here as well, so maybe you can explain what the point of astronomy is, magically speaking, and do you have any tricks to getting through History of Magic. Binns is just so boring. I'm not big on Herbology either, even though Professor Sprout seems really nice, nor Defense Against the Dark Arts. I was really interested in DADA, but the teacher, Professor Quirrel, stutters really badly, and he's mentioned that everything will be theoretical, which is a bit of a letdown. Transfiguration seems really complicated, but interesting, though Professor McGonagall really seems like a person not to anger. Charms seems like it will be great. Professor Flitwick seems like a fun teacher and he and Professor McGonagall so far seem to be my two favorites. It was a big relief to realize that I wasn't very far behind my classmates. I was a bit worried that growing up in the muggle world would make me behind, and since I learned I was famous, it made me even more worried, but so far, nobody seems to be extremely ahead of me, except for Hermione Granger, but she's a muggleborn genius, so I'm not really sure she counts.

Since you knew my family, maybe you can tell me. Is there any reason why Professor Snape would hate me personally? He asked me a bunch of questions in our first lesson, specifically picking me, and docking points when I couldn't get them. Honestly, I did go and look them up afterwards, and they were all second or third year questions! Anyways, he seems to like docking points from me, and I worry my housemates are not going to like me because of it.

Well, anyways, that's about all I can really think of at the moment. If you want to write me back, Hedwig, my owl, agreed to wait for you. If not, you can just tell her to return.

Wishing you well,

Harry

Tonks smiled, reading the letter, feeling a sense of exhilaration that Harry wanted to get to know her. Harry wanted to get to know her! She read through his letter again, smiling at certain things he wrote, but frowning at others. She'd been so wrapped up in her first reading that she hadn't fully comprehended some of what he wrote.

The concept that he'd never seen pictures of his parents prior to the ones she sent him rubbed her wrong. That made it seem like his relatives were deliberately trying to erase them or besmirch them, but then he mentioned how they didn't like him that much. Why would they treat him poorly if they were also going to deliberately erase or besmirch his parents from his life? She was a bit worried, wondering exactly what Harry's childhood had been like. She didn't want to assume too much, or push too hard early on, but she did file it away for something to revisit with Harry. Maybe she could try and visit him over the Christmas holidays or next summer and meet his relatives in person?

It did make her angry to think that he'd grown up with relatives that didn't want him, when her family would have done damn near anything to have him live with them. It seemed cruel. She knew the Ministry was legally right, and she respected that Dumbledore was just trying to keep Harry safe, but it still left a bitter taste in her mouth.

She smiled at how he wanted to call her Dora. Her father, Uncle James, and Aunt Lily had all exclusively called her Dora. Nobody else did. They all called her Tonks, which she liked, or they tried to call her some other variation of her first name, which she did not like, or they were her mother and called her by her first name, which she hated.

She also had to laugh or chuckle about some of his observations about Hogwarts and some of the staff. She certainly could agree, and that was coming from someone who had been around magic her whole life. Some things at Hogwarts just were the way they were, and nobody would probably ever understand.

Some of the other things he wrote, though, slightly concerned her. Why would an entire floor corridor be shut down? She was sure that if something dangerous was being kept there, the Auror department would have been notified. Also, while Snape had always been rather unpleasant, and certainly favorited his Slytherins, she'd never seen him really single out another student, so she wasn't happy hearing that either. Harry was right, losing points every time he had a potions class would make him unpopular in his house, even if it wasn't really his fault.

She also couldn't believe that Quirrell was now the DADA teacher. She'd had him as a Muggle Studies teacher. She could only imagine how bad he was as a DADA teacher. Still, maybe she could help point him in a direction to appreciate the subject. Afterall, Tonks had been quite good at all three primary disciplines of magic, with Defense and Transfiguration being her best two subjects.

"If you don't mind waiting, I'll start writing Harry back," Tonks said to Harry's owl, Hedwig, who hooted and got comfortable to await the letter.

Tonks quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill

"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks mumbled as she started responding to Harry's letter.

**HP**

Wotcher, Harry,

Few people have called me Dora, and all have been in my family, so I'm perfectly fine if you want to call me Dora, though don't be surprised if everyone else calls me Tonks. I'm not surprised that you don't remember me, but we'll just have to fix that one of these days and make some current memories you won't forget!

I'm sorry about your relatives. While I'm not surprised they didn't tell you about the wizarding world, since I believe that was part of the intent in you going with them, I am shocked, and furious that they told you little to nothing about your parents, and what they did tell you were lies. Your parents were some of the kindest and most incredible people I've met, except when Aunt Lily was mad (people ran when Aunt Lily was mad), and you should have grown up with stories about them!

I'm glad you liked the photos. I'm hoping these new ones will mean just as much. I only have so many photos, but I promise you that I will make sure you have a copy of every photo with your parents or you and my family.

Thank you for your condolences. It has been hard, but I'm doing my best to move on and live my life like I knew they would want me to. Reaching out to you was a start because I can assure you my family wished for you to join us very much. I can assure you that I will not get bored of our correspondence (as long as you don't start writing History of Magic to me, Binns put me to sleep too!).

Let's start with a bit about me. First, I'm 18 years old. I just graduated from Hogwarts last year, and I was a Hufflepuff. What House are you in? I bet you're in Gryffindor, like your parents. It's a shame that I missed being at Hogwarts with you by one year. I'm a metamorphmagus, which means I can change my appearance at will without a wand. I was accepted into Auror Training, and am now about four months into it. Aurors are sort of like muggle police, but they're more specialized than the magical law enforcement patrol. Aurors specialize in dealing with dark wizards and dark magic, though they also are involved with investigations dealing with criminal networks or other dark arts related crimes like cursed items, illegal potions, etc. On the bright side, this means I'm quite good at Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration, and was pretty good at Potions and Herbology as well, so I can help point you in the right direction!

A map of the castle would be a brilliant idea. I once heard rumors that there used to be one that some students made back in the day. Maybe you can find it? Getting lost is pretty normal though. I can't even count the number of times I got lost in my first year at Hogwarts, so get used to it, and use it as an opportunity to figure out new areas in the castle. Filch is always grumpy, and he doesn't have a good side, so there was nothing you could do in regards to him anyway.

That's weird about the third floor corridor being off limits. Usually the prefects would be told, or the Ministry should be tracking, but if it's anything the Aurors are tracking, I'm not aware. Just be careful. Dumbledore is an extremely powerful wizard and very well connected throughout the world. He could be doing a favor for a friend, and it could be of his own volition.

There's definitely a lot more to magic than you think, but if you have any issues understanding the theory, check in with Flitwick or McGonagall. Flitwick is extremely nice and is always willing to help any student at pretty much any time. McGonagall seems strict, and she is, but she also cares for her students, and is very knowledgeable and very helpful.

I'm laughing at your opinion on astronomy. Astronomy may not seem useful, but it can be very important when it comes to Potions, Herbology, and magical rituals, which you'll read about later in your education. I do wish they'd tell you that earlier because I was generally of the same opinion. I will admit that I didn't continue Astronomy after my fifth year, so I really can't defend it too well. Herbology was never really my favorite either even though Professor Sprout was my Head of House and is extremely nice.

I can't believe they made Quirrel the DADA professor. He used to be the Muggle Studies professor two years ago. Definitely not who I would think would want, let alone be qualified, to teach DADA. Though, he didn't have a stutter in Muggle Studies. I wonder if something happened to him over his year away? DADA is very important and very interesting, and I cannot let you go the whole year without a proper appreciation of what you can learn, so at the bottom of this, I'll write down some recommendations for books and spells to learn. Put a jinx or hex on a friend or someone who crosses you and you'll start to appreciate DADA! Plus, DADA, Charms, and Transfiguration are great to use for pranks, and Merlin knows, you're dad loved pranks, my dad loved pranks, and I love pranks, so hopefully you like pranks.

Snape's always been a bit of a git, but I don't know anything in particular that would give him a reason to hate you or punish you. Have you brought it up to McGonagall? She might be able to get him to back off if she deems his actions inappropriate, but I will admit that he has gotten away with being a supreme git to a lot of people, so I wouldn't hold my breath. Your Housemates will be okay. If there is one thing Gryffindors understand, (assuming you're in Gryffindor), it's losing House points to Snape. Just keep moving forward, and try to make up some points in other areas to help.

Now, I think I'll end this letter with a story. The day you were born. Now, my family was around your family a lot, partially because we were friends, but also because my father, who was a Healer, was going to help your mother through birth if Madam Pomfrey couldn't get there in time. They were in hiding at the time, so they couldn't really afford to go to St. Mungos.

It started off as a fairly normal evening, the day before you were born. We were over having dinner with your family, since my mum didn't really want Aunt Lily cooking, and Uncle James was hopeless in the kitchen. He certainly tried, and I'll admit he was improving, but still absolutely hopeless.

Now, just as we were getting ready to leave, Aunt Lily had disappeared into the loo a bit earlier, and she came back out, looking excited and told us that her water had broken. Uncle James started immediately freaking out about "the baby coming!" and ran around to gather the things they'd need for birth despite the fact they were just going into the bedroom and had plenty of time. Well, midway through his panic attack, Aunt Lily told him to calm down. He turned to retort while still moving and ended up running full speed into a wall. Knocked himself completely out! It was one of the funniest things I had and still have ever seen. It took us nearly ten minutes to wake him up, and he spent the first hour of your birth being checked out by my dad to make sure that he didn't have a concussion. He didn't miss much though. Eight hours later, early in the morning the next day, you were born, and I'd never seen either of them so happy.

I hope you enjoyed the story. Hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Dora

**HP**

Wotcher, Dora,

It's been a crazy two weeks. Yes I am in Gryffindor, just like my parents, though I don't have any issues with Hufflepuffs, so I guess we can continue to associate. I had my first flying lesson a couple weeks ago, and thanks to a git in Slytherin stealing a remembrall I tried to get back, I am now on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, so maybe you'll be able to come see one of our matches and I can meet you then? Our captain, Oliver Wood, is determined to win the Cup this year. I haven't started practices yet, but I can already tell that they're going to be intense. Still, everyone on the team is really nice and has been really welcoming to me. All of them have even had me join them in the common room a couple times, which I thought was cool, since they're all older than me.

Aside from that, I was having tea with Hagrid a few weeks ago, and I saw an article about a break in at Gringotts. You probably know about that. What you don't know is that the vault that was emptied was the vault that Hagrid and I emptied that same day. I only realized it when Hagrid all but revealed it to me. I don't know what's hidden at this school, but it must be important. Hagrid told me that the only place that might be safer than Gringotts was Hogwarts.

Well, you're probably wondering why I bring that up, but it leads to another thing that happened to me in the past few weeks. You see, I got challenged to a duel . . . and I might have accepted. I know probably not smart, since I haven't even learned any of those spells you told me to. Sorry, but Draco Malfoy, this smarmy git in Slytherin, who incidentally is the git that is part of the reason I'm on the Quidditch Team, challenged me to a duel at midnight. Well, my friend Ron and I, along with two stragglers we picked up, went to where Malfoy said, and it turns out he'd tipped off Filch. Obviously we ran, and accidentally ended up on the third floor corridor. Hermione Granger, who was an unwilling straggler with us, got us into the corridor to escape Filch, but that wasn't a great place to be.

Dora, they're literally keeping a three headed dog in there, guarding a trapdoor. He's massive! We barely managed to get back into the corridor before the dog attacked, and then we managed to get back to Gryffindor Tower before Filch found us. I don't know what he's guarding, but it must be really important for them to have a monster like that guarding it.

Thanks for more photos. They're brilliant, and I really appreciate them. My relatives aren't great, but I accepted that a long time ago, and now that I know about the wizarding world and a bit more about my parents, I at least know that my relatives are only trying to hurt me by lying.

I think it's really cool that you're in training to be an Auror. I asked my friend Ron about them, and he said it's really hard, and that few people get accepted and fully trained. He seemed really impressed that you'd survived several months already, so it must be a really big deal, so congratulations! He also thought it was cool that you're a metamorphmagus and explained it a bit more to me. I think that's really cool. I certainly wish I could change how I look some days. I'm sure you played a lot of pranks using that ability. I can't say that I've ever been able to really play pranks. My relatives kind of blamed me for everything that went wrong as it was, so I never wanted to give them more reason to punish me.

I'll definitely have to reach out about school more, especially now that I know there are three headed dogs in the castle and that I can get challenged to duels, even if the slimy Slytherin didn't actually show. I'll get started on those spells you sent me.

Snape's still a git, and you were right in that Flitwick and McGonagall are easily approached and are willing to help. I've definitely done a bit better in both classes since talking to them, and Ron grudgingly has as well.

I really appreciated the story. It made me laugh a lot, and definitely makes me think of my dad in a different way than I did before, so thank you!

Anyways, I hope training is still going well, and I hope to hear from you soon!

-Harry

**HP**

Tonks was a bit heated as she was writing up her latest letter to Harry. She was not going to lose her little brother just as she was getting him back! He needed to be more careful. He needed to learn some magic, and she needed to figure out what Dumbledore was doing.

Blimey Harry, you don't do anything in halves.

Let's start with Quidditch. You have to be the youngest player in like a century or more! That's incredible. Either you're really good, or they had no options! Just kidding, you must be really good for them to make an exception. One of my best friends, Charlie Weasley, your friend Ron's brother, used to be the Seeker for Gryffindor, and he was incredible. If you're anywhere in his realm, Gryffindor will be winning some matches. If I can get off work, I'm definitely going to come see some Quidditch, even if it will hurt for me to cheer on Gryffindor.

Technically, that wasn't your first time on a broom. You had a toy broom that you used to fly all over the place on. Uncle James used to get run ragged trying to keep up with you and you nearly killed your family's cat on accident. Aunt Lily hated when you were given that toy, but she did love watching you fly around on the broom. I don't think she'd admit it, but she always did like watching Uncle James fly. It was funny as hell watching Uncle James or any of your parents' friends or my parents trying to keep up with you. You were really good on that toy broom though, so I can see how you'd be brilliant on a real broom.

Now let's move on to the part that nearly gave me a heart attack. I told you to be careful! If Dumbledore tells you a corridor is forbidden, it's probably for a good reason. I like pushing the rules as much as the next person, but not with things like that, especially if I didn't know any spells! Start learning those spells I mentioned ASAP! Avoid the cerberus. They are very territorial and will attack if you go near what they are guarding. Whatever it is Dumbledore is guarding must be very important. I'm going to start asking around here at the Ministry, since I don't like the idea of something like that at the school.

Next, don't accept duels if you have no chance! I know you're a Gryffindor, but think things through a little bit more. I'm not saying 'don't' accept duels, I'm just saying, accept them when you have a chance of winning. Besides, I'm a top duelist, and I can't have a member of my family getting their butt kicked! Learn some spells and I'll teach you how to duel properly some day.

Training's still going well for me. It's only me and another girl left in the program, at least for British Aurors, but she's become a good friend and we work well together. It's likely we'll both make it through at this point, and we're just now starting to learn some advanced defensive magic. The physical and magical workouts are exhausting and they push me to my absolute limits, but I'm learning a lot, and developing skills I didn't even know I needed to develop. Mad-Eye, my trainer, is batshit crazy, but he is the best, so I'm quite lucky he's helped me so much to make sure I pass Auror training.

Well, that's all I have for now. Avoid the cerberus, stay safe, and have fun!

Love,

Dora

**HP**

Wotcher, Dora,

I have quite a bit to share in this letter. I'll start with the good things. First, I finally got a broomstick, and it's a Nimbus 2000! It's incredible, and it turns at my slightest touch. I honestly can't describe how wonderful it feels to fly and to fly with a broom built for speed and maneuverability. My first quidditch practice went brilliantly, and I think I'm starting to figure out the game. Wood did say he thought I could turn out better than Charlie, and he said he was brilliant. I don't know if I'm that good, but flying certainly feels natural to me.

Classes have been going well. We're finally starting to learn some real magic in some of our classes, which has been really cool, and I finally started learning some of those spells you told me to learn. I've gotten pretty good at the knockback jinx, the smokescreen charm, and the leg locker curse. I definitely feel better knowing that I do actually know some spells to help defend myself if needed. I'll keep learning more, and someday I'll just have to beat you in a duel to show I belong in this little makeshift family of ours!

It's great that training is going really well for you. I never really asked. How many people started in your class that are now only two? Also, how long is Auror training, and what do you learn in it? What are some of the physical and magical workouts like?

So, here's the part you might not like so much, but let me preface this by saying it was partially our fault, and we did manage to save my other new best friend's life, so I don't regret it! Anyway, I've mentioned Hermione Granger, and how she's a genius, but a bit bossy and kind of a know it all at times, but she really is quite nice when you really get to know her, and she's scary smart. Anyways, she's been a bit hacked off at us ever since the Cerberus incident. Funny enough, she was more worried about expulsion than death. I'm telling you, she's great, but mental sometimes. Anyways, we were in Charms, and learning the levitation charm. We were all having issues, but Hermione corrected Ron, maybe a bit too smugly, and then did the charm perfectly, but this resulted in Ron saying a rather mean comment that made Hermione sad, and I didn't really help in either way, which I think makes me just as guilty.

Well, we were at the Halloween feast, and we heard that she was in the girls bathroom crying, which didn't make Ron or I feel better, but it got really bad when Quirrell came in yelling about a troll in the dungeon! Well we were following our House back to our tower when we realized that Hermione didn't know about the troll and none of the professors were around, so we both ran off to try and warn her.

Well, we nearly ran into the thing on the second floor, but hid from it and then locked it in a room, but after we heard a scream, we realized that we'd accidentally locked it in the girl's bathroom with Hermione. This thing was huge! It had to have been twelve feet tall and it smelled horrible. Well, we unlocked the bathroom and rushed inside to help Hermione, and well, long story short, I jumped on a troll's back, and Ron knocked out the troll by levitating his club and dropping it on his head.

McGonagall gave Ron and I each five points for sheer dumb luck, Hermione lied to the teachers about why she and we were there, really saving us, and now the three of us are best friends! So, at least I made a new friend out of this adventure.

Here's hoping you're not too mad,

Harry

Tonks stared at the letter in disbelief. Honestly, she couldn't decide if she was impressed, livid, excited, or a mixture of all three. On one hand, a first year fighting a mountain troll is one hell of a story, and Harry seemed set on making himself a bloody legend at the school. That was something she thought was very cool, and saving people and making friends were all good things, so also, good. Besides, that really is a great story to tell on how you became friends. Tonks couldn't help but chuckle picturing them years down the line telling that story. On the other hand, she really didn't like hearing her little brother had now found himself in life or death situations twice in his first two months at Hogwarts. She tried to picture what her mother would have done hearing that, and she laughed again, knowing her mum would have sent her a howler. She wasn't going to do that, but it was at least an option.

Though, something like that really was something that could happen at Hogwarts, so as long as he was okay, she didn't want to rip into him for not being careful. His new friend likely would have died without him and Ron, so she couldn't deny that was pretty justified. Maybe she needed to convince him to be an auror someday though. If he was tackling trolls and interacting with a Cerberus in his first two months back in the wizarding world, he was definitely the type of bloke that should fight dark witches and wizards. In a couple years she could even be his Mad-Eye!

**HP**

Wotcher, Harry.

Honestly Harry, I can't decide if I'm in awe of you, scared for you, or angry at you. Well, I'm definitely more impressed than anything. Not many first years could survive a run in with a mountain troll or a cerberus, so I guess as long as you keep surviving, we won't have any problems, and I'll just keep being awed by your adventures. That's one hell of a story, and someday I want to hear it properly. Good on you for saving your friend. Keep up these types of exploits and you'll be joining me as an Auror someday!

I'm very jealous of your Nimbus 2000. I currently have a comet 260 that I like, but it's got nothing on a Nimbus 2000. I'm really looking forward to watching you play in a match one of these days. I don't think I'm going to get off for your first game, unfortunately, but I will find some way to make it to at least one of your matches this year!

I'm glad that classes are going well for you. School definitely gets better when you're actually learning magic. Theory is important, but it's not a lot of fun if it doesn't lead to something practical. Those are some good spells to start with. Pretty soon, you'll be a defensive expert just like me! Keep dreaming if you think you're going to beat me in a duel! You're welcome to try though.

Well, we started with twelve in my class, and technically we're down to three of us left, but one's an American exchange student, so he doesn't really count, since he'll eventually head back to the States. They didn't have anyone make it through the training last year, so two of us likely to make it through in this class is honestly a pretty big deal for the department. Auror training in total is technically three years, though it's only the first six months that are like a boot camp where they teach a bit, but are mostly pressuring the cadets to see who will drop out. I'm now just over four months in, so as long as I can make it another two months, I'll survive the hurtle and start officially being an Auror Trainee instead of a Cadet. After two years, if a Trainee is able to pass all the assessments that they've been given up to that point, then they become an Auror 2nd Class, which will be their rookie year in the field. Traditionally, 2nd Classes spend their first year as an Auror learning the ropes from an active Auror while studying for their last assignments. As soon as they are able to pass their final assessments, which takes most people that whole first year, they become an Auror First Class.

We learn a lot of things throughout training. Currently, as a cadet, they've been working on making sure I'm physically fit, which helps for prolonged duels and conflicts as well as helps to sharpen my reflexes. Think running, pusups, pullups, etc. We have classes on the history of the Aurors and the Dark Arts, classes on Laws and regulations, classes on de-escalation of force, classes on advanced defensive magic, and then classes on a branch of the mind arts called Occlumency, which is where you secure your mind from outside influence (it's really useful, and you can start learning it in Hogwarts).

Eventually, I'll receive classes on poisons and antidotes, more advanced defensive magic, advanced charms and transfiguration, basic healing, domestic abuse, concealment and disguises (which I should crush), stealth and tracking (which I'm worried about, since I can admit I'm very clumsy), child handling, interviewing suspects, advanced dueling, and lastly we'll get introduced to legilimency (another branch of the Mind Arts which is the opposite of Occlumency), and if we have talent, will start receiving training on it. Our workouts range from long runs to weight lifting, and all sorts of exercises that are designed to get us in shape. They are terrible, but I definitely can tell how much they've helped me with my dueling, and honestly even flying has gotten easier. I guess that's why the professional quidditch players are in such great shape. The magical workouts really are just using spells over and over again, working to over charge them and working our magical cores.

Well, I'll end this letter with another story . . . the first time Aunt Lily and Uncle James ever babysat me.

**HP**

Dora,

I'm picturing my mother and father freaking out while trying to babysit you because you changed the color of your face to blue and acted like you were choking, and I can't stop laughing. I can't even imagine what that was like for them if they were both just out of Hogwarts. If my dad was as much of a prankster as you say, then he must have gotten a kick out of that afterwards.

Well, I'd never really thought about what I'd do after school, muggle or magical, but I will admit being an auror does sound pretty cool. Since I started taking your advice in charms, transfiguration, and Defense, I've certainly gotten a lot better, and I really appreciate the classes. Maybe you could even be my Mad-Eye! Though, hopefully you're less "batshit crazy" than he is.

It certainly seems like you learn a lot of really cool things during Auror training. I can see why being physically fit would be useful as an Auror. I mean, muggle police and soldiers are all fit, so I assume the same idea applies. That type of history sounds much more interesting than what Binns is covering, though sometimes I do think History of Magic could be interesting under a different instructor. Learning about laws and regulations doesn't sound fun, but obviously it's very important. Advanced magic would be cool. Ron was saying that Aurors learn spells that most witches and wizards can't even learn about or haven't even heard about, so I can only imagine what you might learn to do. The Mind Arts seem cool, but I'm not sure I understand exactly why Occlumency is really useful to learn while I'm at Hogwarts. Maybe you can explain more? Hermione helped explain some of the other stuff you will learn, and I can see why it's all important, even if some of it is probably a bother to learn.

That's crazy how few make it through the training, and it makes it even more impressive that you're still around. You must be really good. It'll be a shame for you when I eventually beat you in a duel someday. Would they have kicked out the American if he wasn't good enough, even though he belongs to another country?

Maybe someday we can fly together. You can certainly borrow my Nimbus to try it out if you want, and I'll get to try out your comet. I think it sounds fun to get to explore different broomsticks. I was sorry to not see you at the match, but I understand. However, this might have been a match you should have been at. You're probably not going to like this.

So, the build up. Hermione lent me Quidditch Through the Ages to help me prepare for my first Quidditch Match. It was really helpful, though I'm sure some of the facts I do remember aren't all that important. I mean, does knowing that all 700 hundred ways of committing a Quidditch foul were done at the 1473 World Quidditch Cup? Probably not. Anyway, Hermione had conjured some blue bell flames for us in the courtyard since it's so cold, and I was reading the book, minding my own business. Of course, Snape, the git, walks over, asks what I'm doing, and docks me points and takes my book because library books can't be outside the Castle. I'm pretty sure he made that up.

Well, later that night, I went to the staff room to get it back, thinking he couldn't refuse me in front of other teachers, but when I got there, I peeked in and saw Filch helping to bandage up Snape's leg, which was pretty bloody and mangled. We'd seen him limping but didn't know why. Based on what he was telling Filch, he was bitten by the cerberus. Something I didn't mention previously, was that we'd seen him walking alone while Ron and I went to fight the troll, and now I'm realizing that Snape must have gone to check on the item. Hell, he might have even let the troll in. I think he's trying to steal whatever it is.

Now, you might think I'm jumping to conclusions, but what happened at the Quidditch map will hopefully convince you. Everything was going fine for my first match until after I almost caught the snitch. Then, my broom started acting up and trying to buck me off. Hermione looked across the stands, and she swears that she saw Snape muttering a spell to jinx my broom! She went over there and lit his robes on fire and after he saw it and broke eye contact with my broom, the jinx stopped and I actually ended up catching the snitch (nearly swallowed the thing). Snape was definitely trying to knock me off my broom! Hagrid disagreed saying Snape's a teacher, but in his disagreement, he mentioned that the cerberus is named Fluffy, and he belongs to Hagrid, and that whatever they are guarding belongs to Nicholas Flamel. Do you know who Nicholas Flamel is? I think I know the name, but I can't place where I've heard it. We're searching the library trying to figure out who he is, but haven't found anything yet.

I know you told me to avoid the Cerberus, but something is going on, and I think whatever is being guarded is in danger. What do you think? What should I do?

Harry

**HP**

"Bugger," Tonks swore, just having finished Harry's most recent letter.

This was really starting to worry her. She was worried with how involved Harry was getting with this, but she also couldn't deny that she probably would have been similar back when she was in school, especially if she thought she was the only one who noticed something was wrong.

In addition, it was obvious to her that Harry didn't really trust adults, and he had confided in an adult he trusted, Hagrid, and had been disregarded due to Snape being a Professor. Granted, Hagrid was a wonderful man, but not McGonagall, Flitwick, or Dumbledore, however Tonks knew that accusing Snape of something like trying to knock a student off his broom was a serious accusation, and it was highly unlikely that anything would come of it. Plus, Harry could only go off what his friend saw, and as bright as this Hermione Granger was, Tonks knew she was still just a first year, and could have missed something. It might not have been Snape at all.

That also came into play with Harry's thought process on Snape trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone, since it could only be that if it was something to do with Nicholas Flamel. Harry was obviously biased towards Snape (and who wasn't), and thus he wasn't thinking about how Filch was helping bandage Snape up. If Snape was stealing the stone, why would he bring up his injury to Filch? Besides, as much as the greasy potions master wasn't Tonks's favorite person, she didn't see him as a thief.

She needed advice and she needed someone with some authority or at least some sort of relationship with Dumbledore to look into this. Thankfully, she could go to the same person for both.

She left her apartment, went to her normal spot in the alley outside and apparated away, appearing before the surprisingly quaint home of one Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. She moved up to his front door cautiously, knowing that startling him would likely lead to him cursing her, and she deliberately let her feet clomp on the sidewalk, hoping he might hear it, though she was sure he had some sort of alert ward in place.

Before she could even make it up to the door, it opened and Mad-Eye came out with his wand pointed straight at her chest.

"What were the first words you said to me after your parents died?" Mad-Eye asked.

"Fuck you," Tonks responded cheerfully, and Mad-Eye grinned slightly as he lowered his wand.

"What do you want, Cadet?" Mad-Eye asked. "Or is this a social call?"

"I need some help, Mad-Eye," Tonks said, and she pulled out Harry's letters and handed them to him as he guided her into his home.

Tonks noticed that while Moody's real eye started reading the letters while they walked to his kitchen table, his magical eye zoomed and watched their backs while entering his home. She wanted to sigh in exasperation at his level of paranoia. She stayed silent though, and patiently waited for him to wade through the many letters that Harry had sent her.

Mad-Eye growled. "It seems to me Albus is laying a trap for someone, though while I'm not sure I agree with all of Potter's theories, I do agree that Albus has too many rats in his castle. I don't trust that filth, Snape, as far as I could throw him, but I don't see him as a thief, nor do I think he'd off Potter. There's really no point. He needs Albus too much to risk losing that protection."

Tonks frowned, wondering what Moody was talking about, but he didn't seem like he was going to expound on why Snape needed Dumbledore.

"Potter's got a sharp eye to be picking up on the investigation and he seems to have good instincts, but you should warn him to stay out of it," Moody continued. "If I know Albus, whoever he's trying to catch is not someone a First Year should mess with. They managed to break into Gringotts, so they're talented, though I do have to wonder how Albus foresaw getting Flamel's stone out of there before the break-in. I'd also recommend Potter start learning some more defensive spells and watch his back. Someone obviously tried to get him during the Quidditch match, and while it might have been Snape, it could have been someone else that the Granger girl bumped into or her fire distracted which broke the jinx. I'll write to Albus and tell him to speak to Potter or find some way to sate the boy's curiosity."

Tonks sighed in relief. "Thanks Mad-Eye."

Moody nodded. "You better make sure Potter's watching his back, and if you're going to keep getting close to the boy, you better be prepared to watch yours, though you should have been anyway. That kid's a walking target no matter where he goes."

Tonks nodded, and then after a short discussion about how she was doing in training, she made her way back to her apartment and wrote her response to Harry.

**HP**

Wotcher Harry,

Let's start with your heartstopping story. I do wish I'd been at your match, both to see you win and because maybe I could have figured out exactly who jinxed you. I'll admit, Snape is a right git, but I don't think he'd try to knock you off your broom. I think your bias towards him is showing. Hermione could have bumped into someone else or distracted someone else that might have been trying to jinx you while she was going after Snape. Now, I'm not discounting your theory. It could be Snape. I'm just saying, keep an open mind. Filch helping to bandage Snape up tells me that the staff know Snape was checking on the cerberus that night, so my theory would be that Snape might have an idea of who is trying to steal the stone. You need to watch your back, Harry. Whether it's Snape or not, someone is obviously trying to hurt or kill you. I'm going to write a couple more spells down at the bottom of this letter that I recommend you try to learn.

Now, as much as I don't want to answer your question, I will, since I know you'd just keep looking anyway. Nicholas Flamel is a famous alchemist. He is most famous for being the only known creator of the Philosopher's Stone, which can turn any object into gold and can make the elixir of life which will make the drinker immortal. I would guess that the stone must be what is being hidden at Hogwarts. Mad-Eye is going to write to Dumbledore letting him know everything you've relayed to me, so hopefully if any of your suspicions are correct, Dumbledore will sort it out. Now that you know, you should do your best to stay out of it, or at the very least, keep yourself to a mere observatory position. Go to McGonagall, Dumbledore, or Flitwick if you notice anything else that is suspicious. Whoever is capable of breaking into Gringotts is not someone to be messed with. Please stay safe.

Now, let's get to the pleasant parts of your letter.

Well, you have plenty of time to think about what you want to do after you graduate Hogwarts. You're only a first year afterall, but with how much you like to investigate things and seem to be able to get out of sticky situations, the auror life might just be for you. By the way, are you implying I'm batshit crazy? I ought to come down and hex you for that! Of course I wouldn't be as bad as Mad-Eye!

Yes, Auror training is pretty cool, even if it is kicking my arse. I certainly thought I was a good duelist before training, and while that was true compared to my peers, I now know that I was an amateur, but I'm starting to finally give my instructors a run for their money. As for spells that most people can't learn or don't know about? Well, I'm not completely sure about that, though I wouldn't be surprised at least in regards to having not heard about them. However, I do think that anything we use can be found and learned by someone outside of the department. It just might be difficult. I could be wrong though. We'll have to remember this after I've gotten further along in my training and maybe I'll be able to better answer it.

I had to learn Occlumency when I was a young girl because of my metamorphmagus ability. My parents were afraid to let me outside because I might morph and break the Statute of Secrecy (which I might have done once or twice). Occlumency helps keep people out of your mind, which is important, but it also helps provide mental and emotional strength and fortitude. You can better regulate your thoughts and feelings. There's definite benefits even while at Hogwarts. The better mental and emotional control can help with spells too, but I think a big reason to consider starting it during your time at Hogwarts is that Occlumency takes a while to master, years even, so the earlier you start, the quicker you can master it. The choice is yours though.

Thank you for the compliments. I'm certainly glad I've made it this far. I owe a lot of that to the Professors at Hogwarts, and to Mad-Eye who was beating me into shape in the weeks before Auror training began. I'll be waiting for the day you beat me in a duel. I can assure you that it will be after I'm old and slow. The American would have been kicked if he wasn't up to snuff, but he was hand chosen by the American Ministry and is extremely skilled. I suspect they didn't want to take the chance of national embarrassment if their chosen candidate couldn't handle it.

I would love to go flying with you, and I'll definitely take you up on that offer to borrow your broom, and you can certainly borrow mine. Maybe I'll get lucky and you'll be dim enough to like mine more and trade me. We'll have to meet up soon. I can't wait to see you in person. Are you going home for the holidays?

Love,

Tonks.