Nymphadora Vulpecula Tonks
Chapter 1- Nymphadora Vulpecula Tonks
It was the summer of 1995, the Triwizard Tournament had just ended. Dora was rooting for her fellow Hufflepuff, Cedric Diggory to win. She remembered him from their school days, such a sweet boy he was, and handsome too. It came as a shock to the entire wizarding world to hear of his untimely demise. Dora shed a few tears as she read the news on the Prophet, but was most displeased to find no proper information on how he died.
Although she was rooting for Cedric, a small part of her couldn’t help but to support the boy who lived; Harry Potter. She had never met him before, Dora had just left Hogwarts when he would have been just starting. He was clearly the underdog in the Tournament, being much younger than the other champions, but he had performed admirably, even better in some aspects.
Dora could relate, people were often lost for words when she told them she was an auror at the ministry. Nobody seemed to take her seriously, or think that she was capable, except for Mad-Eye, and Kingsley. Her fashion sense didn't help that sentiment, but Dora had always loved crazy hairstyles and colours since she was a kid. Ah the perks of being a metamorphmagus, and it did come in handy when she needed a disguise while on the field. But at least that was a choice, unlike Harry, who’s scar was always visible.
And now, people would have one more reason to talk about him as he emerged from the maze clutching Cedric’s dead body. Apart from the physical attributes, Dora knew what it was like to be treated differently simply because of who you’re born to be. Her mother, Andromeda belonged to the Noble and most Ancient house of Black, who were notoriously famous for their pure-blood supremacy. Although disowned when she married muggle-born Edward “Ted” Tonks, the stigma never seemed to abate completely.
They were quite often at the receiving end of shocked looks when they were out and about in Diagon Alley, her mother’s family had quite the reputation. Albeit being born a Black, not once had she ever heard her mother mention anything remotely prejudiced against anyone, in fact her mother always told her to respect everyone, regardless of who, or what they were. But they did draw the line at Death Eaters, and pure-blood supremacists.
Dora was proud of her mother for standing up for what she believed in, and for walking away from her roots instead of relishing in their fame, and wealth. The Black name still commended respect to this day, although mostly out of fear. Mentioning you’re a Black could still get you out of tight spots if you ever had a run in with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but Andromeda was now Andromeda Tonks, and never looked back since she and Ted tied the knot.
Dora hated being related to the Blacks, her mother’s sister Bellatrix was currently serving a prison sentence in Azkaban for being a Death Eater, along with her husband, Rodolphus. Dora shuddered at the thought of Alice and Frank Longbottom, who had the misfortune of crossing paths with her aunt and uncle. When she became an auror, she knew of the risks, but something about the sadistic nature of her aunt could never sit right with her, being killed would be seen as merciful for someone like Bellatrix.
Dora hated the fact that her mother and aunt looked so alike, although their hearts couldn’t be more different. Every time a picture of Bellatrix appeared on the Prophet, she couldn’t help the shock which followed. At first glance, she always thought it was her mother leering at her from the page. Another notorious murderer which Dora had the privilege of being related to was Sirius Black. She still remembered the shock on her mother’s face, and the tears that followed when she heard the news of his incarceration all those years ago.
Sirius was the only Black who wasn’t sorted into Slytherin, however, he wasn’t alone in turning his back to the pure-blood obsession which most Blacks seemed to have. This was probably why Andromeda and Sirius used to get along so well when they were younger. Andromeda and Sirius were the only ones left anything by their late uncle Alphard, as he was a blood-traitor too, and was blasted off the Black family tapestry as well. Uncle Alphard was the main reason why they had a handsome amount of gold in their Gringotts vaults, but they hardly touched it.
The Tonks’ were a hardworking lot, and would never splurge on anything unnecessary, but prioritised saving instead. Ted had instilled that habit in her since she was a child. That turned out to be a good thing though, Dora’s personal vault in Gringotts had a decent amount for someone her age. Dora would always take on muggle summer jobs when she was a teenager, and unlike her peers, she preferred thrifting, which apart from saving money, gave her her own unique fashion style.
Circling back to blood-traitor cousins, the last time Dora met Sirius Black was in Diagon Alley, at the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius had run away from home, and had bought himself a flat with the money uncle Alphard left him, he was fresh out of Hogwarts then, and Dora was only five. But she still remembered his handsome face, with the elegant dark curls, and those pale grey eyes.
Dora also remembered his three friends who had tagged along. One particular face stood out from the rest. He was very tall, with sandy-brown hair, and blue eyes. He had a beautiful smile, but he looked so tired, with scars on his face, and hands. Dora had made scars appear on her hands and face too when she shook hands with him, much to her mother’s annoyance. Andromeda hastily apologised to Remus, saying that Dora meant no harm, but the tall stranger just smiled.
She wondered what had happened to Remus, if he knew where Sirius was, if he was in on the plan to betray the Potters to Voldemort, if he had a hand in killing Peter Pettigrew. But somehow in her heart of hearts, she knew he wouldn’t have, he seemed so kind, and sweet, unlike Sirius and James who were rather arrogant. Another thought struck her mind, was Remus even alive? Sirius had ultimately killed two of his three best friends, she wondered if now he was free, he’d want to finish the last one off. Dora later found out from her mother that he was a werewolf, and werewolf deaths weren’t deemed important enough to be reported in the Prophet, for all she knew, he could be.
Dora shook herself back to the present. She was supposed to be meeting Kingsley later to discuss a source which claimed Sirius Black is currently in Tibet. Apart from that, Dora wanted to ask Kingsley herself if he believed Dumbledore’s speech about Voldemort’s return. Most people seemed to think he was bonkers, but Dora didn’t think so, although she didn’t dare ask anyone openly. She had to be tactful. Hopefully Kingsley wouldn’t fire her. She knocked on Kingsley’s door, then turned the handle to let herself in.
‘Mr. Shacklebolt? It’s me Tonks, you wanted to see me earlier.’
‘Ah yes, come in, have a seat,’ said Kingsley, barely glancing at her.
Dora shuffled in and sat on the chair opposite Kingsley.
‘Well, let’s get right to it. Some of my sources have told me that Sirius Black was recently spotted in Tibet, surely you’ve heard by now?’
‘Yes sir, I have.’
‘Great, then please contact the Tibetan Ministry for Magic, and see if they’re willing to set a price on his head’, said Kingsley, rather absent-mindedly, ‘there’s no point in sending our aurors there, and I doubt he’d be returning to Britain anytime soon, seeing as he almost got caught the second time when he was in Hogsmeade just last year’
Dora remembered reading about it in the Prophet last year, although she suspected a lot of details were forged. With dementors almost everywhere in Hogsmeade, it put the ministry in a very bad light as Sirius Black had escaped once again.
‘Very well sir. Is that all you wanted to see me for?’
‘Well yes, unless you have anything else you’d like to discuss? Is something bothering you Tonks?’ said Kingsley, finally looking her in the eye.
‘Actually sir’, Dora started, she squared her shoulders, and decided to get right to it, ‘I was wondering if you heard Dumbledore’s speech? Not saying I believe him, but d’you think there’s a remote chance that he’s telling the truth? I mean, I remember him from my school days, he doesn't seem like the type who’d want to take over the Ministry of Magic. And he’s had numerous opportunities to become minister, but he always declined...’ finished Dora. Her heart beating slightly faster now.
Kingsley gave her a calculating look. Dora hoped he wouldn’t fire her, or throw her in Azkaban for sedition. After a while, he cast a silencing charm at the door, and then he finally spoke.
‘Can you keep a secret Tonks?’
Dora just nodded, her heart racing, wondering if she’d said too much.
‘I believe every single word Albus Dumbledore said in his speech, and I’m afraid Fudge is hell-bent on denying You-Know-Who’s return, which just makes things worse for our side. He has gone all out to discredit Dumbledore, and the Potter boy, which makes recruiting people to our side much more difficult than the last time.’
‘Our side sir? Surely you can’t be talking about the ministry?’ said Dora, her brow furrowed in confusion.
‘What are your plans after work today Tonks? Any dinner plans?’
Dora was rather taken aback at this, she was expecting to be sacked, not to be invited for dinner. But as her superior shared her views on this matter, she decided not to question it, but to just accept. There would be time for questions later.
‘None sir, none at all.’
‘Very well, meet me at the visitors entrance at 7 p.m, we might bump into some familiar faces. Please remove the silencing charm on your way out Tonks, that would be all.’
‘Yes sir, see you later.’At 7 p.m, Dora saw Kingsley waiting for her, his arm held out for her to grasp. Although uncertainties played at the back of her head, she took his arm, and they disapparated with a pop