AN: Inspired by GabrielleRPollack Writing Prompt #16

The two Aurors, well, basically retired Auror and Junior Auror, sprinted down the maze of streets, no more than alleys if you were being honest. Tonks tried her best to keep pace with her mentor, really not wanting to fall behind for reasons other than making a fool of herself, but these streets weren't exactly clear of random debris and her lack of grace was really coming into play. She had gotten somewhat better over the past three and a bit years but she'd never have to not think about her running, which sucked. Especially since Mad-Eye could really pick up speed on that peg-leg of his! She half stumbled into a row of bins, the clanging sounding horrendously loud to her ears, and a spell scorched one of them. Nope, she did not want to get hit by that.

"Shift it!" Mad-Eye shouted from in front.

Shaking her head to regain her bearings, she took off again at a sprint, praying that she wouldn't go sprawling. That would not be a good thing to happen right now. Seriously, how was Mad-Eye so fast? And why did something have to happen on her first and probably only patrol she was going to have with Mad-Eye?

"Is this a normal Monday for you?" she panted out as Mad-Eye literally hauled her down an alley.

If you could even call it an alley. It was more like an extremely narrow gap between two buildings which, okay, Tonks was aware that was basically the definition of an alley but this one barely fit her sideways. She didn't know how Mad-Eye wasn't squashed. Either way, she wasn't going to complain. It wasn't like she could anyway, considering that she was still trying to catch her breath. That had been an awful lot of running g that she hadn't been prepared for.

Though, Tonks wasn't sure what she had been expecting for her first ever, real patrol and with Mad-Eye no less. She should have known to have no expectations when it came to this man. Whatever her expectations were, they certainly hadn't involved an of this.

"No, the assassins usually try to kill me on Tuesday."

She gave him an incredulous look; not sure how serious he was being. She still couldn't tell with him sometimes and had said that with the most deadpan expression.

"Is that sarcasm?" she checked, deciding that being upfront was the best course of action.

More likely to get answers that way she had found in the short time they had known each other. He seemed to appreciate it more as well. It just got things done quicker. And, yes, she could tell when people were being sarcastic, she was the Queen of Sarcasm after all (or maybe it was the Queen of Cheek...). It was just difficult when Mad-Eye said everything in one tone of voice.

Though this time her question got her an impatient noise as he beckoned her to keep moving.

"Yes, idiot. Now get in the van before they see you," he grunted at her in a scathing tone.

She didn't know you could give grunts different tone but there you go. You really did learn something new every day. Also, since when was there a van there? Where had that come from?

Taking a quick look behind her, Tonks decided that the best course of action was, for once, to do as she was told and think about things later. Mainly because the footsteps now sounded closer behind them and she really didn't want to be jumped on.

"Where did the van come from?" she asked, buckling her seat belt and looking all around her, feeling a lot perkier now that they were safe.

She felt like that was a fair question considering it was a muggle vehicle and they were in Diagon Alley were there was a strict lack of such things.

Of course, Mad-Eye didn't answer her, instead focusing on starting the van up (which made an alarming roaring noise - was it supposed to sound like that?) and putting his foot down on the pedal, making the van jump forward rapidly. The van even went up on its two righthand wheels as it screeched around a corner making her slam into the window. Ouch. That was going to leave a mark. Well, maybe safe wasn't exactly the right word.

"Magic," Mad-Eye replied in a deadpan voice and glanced down at her, looking vaguely impressed. "You can do that."

"I can do what?" she asked, looking down at herself. "Buckle myself in? I know you probably have low standards for me, sir, but really? A five-year-old can do that."

"Don't call me sir," he grumbled, bringing the car to a screeching halt as they came to a red light. Looked like they were in Muggle London now. "And you'd be surprised."

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Huh."

"Very few wizards know how to operate a car," he pointed out, drumming his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel.

Tonks didn't know what to say to that. It wouldn't be wise to say something derogatory about attitudes towards muggles but she couldn't say nothing either or this car ride would get really awkward fast.

"Well, I'm a half blood," she stated, though that didn't really mean much in this situation.

It made his bushy eyebrows rise. "You know how to drive."

"Yep," Tonks replied popping the 'p'. "Mum taught me."

Now he just looked completely disbelieving.

"Your pureblood, ex-member of the Black Family, traditional mother? Andromeda Black?"

"Tonks," I corrected a bit peevishly. "And yeah. Dad's crap at driving compared."

"Huh."

With that, the two of them drove along in silence for a few minutes. Well, Mad-Eye drove. Tonks just kept her eyes on the passing scenery. She didn't think she'd ever been in this part of London before.

"I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to call your trainee an idiot," she suddenly said, remembering what he said to her in those earlier frantic moments.

He looked at me in amusement the before bring his eyes back to the road

"Well, you're my protégé. So, I can."

Tonks wondered if she should question that logic as well but decided not to. She did not want to be put on another punishment run. She did roll her eyes, however which he just grunted at instead of telling her off like he used to. Progress. Then what he said registered with her properly and she froze.

"Wait, what did you say?" she questioned, eyes wide. She must have heard that wrong.

"I'm allowed to call you an idiot," Mad-Eye repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"No, not that," Tonks dismissed with a wave of her hand. "Though, I'm pretty sure you can't. The other thing?"

He gave her an amused look but didn't answer. She tried to outstare him but of course that didn't work. Sitting back in her seat, Tonks frowned. Had he really said what she thought he said? She risked a quick glance at him. There was a faint smile on his face.

"What other thing?"

She looked at him carefully but his face didn't give anything away. She didn't know whether he honestly didn't know what he said or if he was just pretending. It was annoying.

"You called me your protégé."

"I did."

Tonks gave him an incredulous look as warmth suddenly flood through her. That was all he was going to say about it? No explanation? No nothing?

"I'm your protégé?" She squeaked out.

"Yeah, yeah, don't let it give you a big head," he said dismissively.

But was that a note of pride in his voice?