Chapter 640 Nymphadora Tonks
As in the past, the Grimmauld Place remained in a disordered state. The wallpaper was peeling off the walls, there were stains all over the floor; each piece of furniture was shattered as if someone had destroyed it. All the windows were boarded up.
Aside from Sirius' brief stay there the previous year, no one had entered the house for over 30 years.
Grimmauld Place, also known as the haunted house by the residents of Hogsmeade, was rarely approached. But the shouts and screams that villagers often heard were actually the voice of Lupin in werewolf form. During his time at Hogwarts, this was where he had to go every full moon night.
Sirius was very familiar with this place. During the break, he told Evan, Harry, and Hermione about his past at school.
Harry listened very attentively. He wanted to know more about his father.
At noon, the four of them had lunch at the Three Broomsticks.
Many students had returned to school early. It was January. The weather outside was too cold for outdoor fun.
They didn't see Colin, Ginny, and Gabrielle, and they didn't see Ron either. Nor did they know where he and Lavender had gone.
In the afternoon practice, Evan Apparated with Hermione. It was the first time he had taken someone with him.
Evan was going to perform a real long-distance Apparition, probably because he had just heard Sirius reminiscing about the past and felt melancholic, so he took Hermione to Apparate directly to the store in Diagon Alley and they appeared in front of Lupin.
Naturally, Lupin looked surprised at the two individuals who suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Good afternoon, Lupin!" said Evan with a smile.
"Hello, Professor!" Hermione looked around and was pleased with Evan's success.
In an instant, the two went from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley.
"Evan, Hermione, how did you do that...?" Lupin couldn't believe it, setting aside the thick papers he had in front of him.
"It's Apparition. We just wanted to come see you!" explained Evan, "We'll be right back!"
"I've heard of it, but I didn't expect you two to learn it so fast," said Lupin, "but I think what you two are doing is truly risky. It's irrational. How can Sirius help you deceive the Ministry of Magic? Apparition is very dangerous. Every year there are many wizards..."
Before he could finish speaking, the office door suddenly swung open.
"Remus, who are you talking to?"
A young witch entered, dressed elegantly and looking very beautiful.
She had a heart-shaped pale face and dark, sparkling, very attractive eyes.
Like Lupin, she was also surprised to see Evan and Hermione. "Hey, who are these two kids?"
"I'm Evan Mason and she is Hermione Granger, I talked to you about them before," said Lupin softly, introducing both parties, "This is Nymphadora..."
"Don't call me Nymphadora, Remus," the young witch said with a shiver. "I'm Tonks!"
"Nymphadora Tonks, who prefers to be called only by her last name," Lupin finished.
"That would be you if your silly mother had named you 'Nymphadora'," Tonks murmured, looking closely at Evan and Hermione. "So, you're Evan Mason?"
"That's me!" Evan nodded and looked at the witch in front of him, realizing who the girl was.
According to her age group, she should be Sirius' niece.
Her mother, Andromeda, was a member of the Black family, Sirius' cousin. But like Sirius, she was considered a disgrace and a traitor because she was born into the ancient and noble Black family but married a Muggle-born wizard, Ted Tonks.
If Evan wasn't mistaken, Tonks had just become an Auror, Sirius' colleague. He couldn't see why she was there, and Lupin thought the same.
"Tonks, why are you here?" He couldn't hide a slight smile at Tonks on the corner of his mouth.
"Today is the weekend, I'm off duty and free. I just wanted to come see you!"
He couldn't help but smile at Tonks again.
They looked familiar to each other. Evan was very aware that the situation was a bit complicated, and it seemed that Tonks was secretly in love with Lupin!
He could see that Lupin also held her in high regard. Otherwise, he wouldn't have this expression.
With Lupin's strict character, he wouldn't allow any irrelevant person to enter his office carelessly.
"I heard the Ministry had been very busy lately, and the Aurors had been sent..."
"Don't mention it, until now, the old Scrimgeour had only assigned me such trivial tasks as smuggling cauldrons, which is absolutely tedious!" Tonks said indifferently, observing Evan and Hermione with great interest. "By the way, you two should be at school. What are you doing here?"
"That's because..."
"I see... Apparate!" Tonks didn't seem surprised. "I've been involved in this matter and was asked to collaborate with him on the Apparition test list. Your name has been added, and I was wondering how you were doing. So, have you started learning Apparition?"
Evan nodded again. He had hoped Sirius would be more discreet. It would be better if the fact that he was practicing Apparition was not known to anyone else.
Lupin also looked frustrated. It seemed that she and the charming Sirius had been quite close.
"That's amazing. No wonder everyone says you have great talent," Tonks said cheerfully, "At your age, there was no way to talk about Apparition. I didn't even know a few real spells. My teachers always said..."
"Alright, Tonks, they'll be back soon. Please stay with Hermione for a while. I have something to tell Evan," Evan said.
"Sure!" Tonks led Hermione to the round table by the fireplace and brought out a teapot and cake.
They both chatted together. The next moment, Tonks' hair changed from purple to bubblegum pink.
"How did you do that?" said Hermione, gaping at her.
"I'm a Metamorphmagus," she said, looking at herself in a small mirror and turning her head to see her hair from all angles. "It means I can change my appearance at will."
"I know this magic can help users change their physical appearance. It's a very, very rare magic."
"I was born this way. I got top marks in Concealment and Disguise during Auror training without studying at all, it was awesome!" Tonks said proudly.
