T is for Tonks

Chapter 6 - Toilet Business

When Tonks next saw Remus, it was the morning before Harry's trial and Tonks had just arrived at Grimmauld Place from The Ministry. After a gruelling night shift in The Auror Department, she walked into the kitchen to find everyone looking sullen and peaky. 

Molly was busying herself with making breakfast for the children who weren't out of their beds yet. Her hair was wild and untamed, giving her a caveman-like appearance. Arthur was dressed in smart robes that had minimal stainage compared to his every day robes. He was wringing his hands and sweating excessively. Harry looked white as a sheet and had hardly touched the plate of food that Molly had produced for him. Sirius looked equally as anxious, topped off with a frown. Tonks knew he had wanted to be present at the trial today, but it would be impossible for him to go anywhere near The Ministry. The man was going to be stuck at home all day and the anticipation would drive him insane. Remus sat silently reading through The Daily Prophet and sipping from a mug of coffee. They all looked up when Tonks walked in.

"Morning all." She said, mustering as much positive energy as she could. There was a general response from the room and then silence again. Tonks took a seat at the table and yawned rather loudly.

"Long night?" Arthur chuckled. She had spent the night with Mad-eye, reading through old Ministry reports, looking for holes and clues about who in The Ministry might be corrupt. She had also ran into Lucius Malfoy, who dodged her questions and hurled insults at her. What her Aunt Narcissa ever saw in that man was beyond her, it was likely about as deep as the man's pockets. 

Tonks rubbed her eyes. "Yeah. I'm going to get something to eat and go to bed for a bit." Sirius began to massage his temples. "Harry, best of luck for your trial today. Just stay calm and let Dumbledore take the lead. There's nothing wrong with telling the truth." She tried her best to sooth the boy.

"Thanks Tonks." Harry mumbled, but he didn't smile.

Molly put a plate of sausage, eggs and toast in-front of a very grateful Tonks. She began to eat away noisily. "I don't know how much sleep you'll get, with that lot upstairs. Molly wants to clean out the drawing room today." Sirius commented.

Stuffing a piece of toast in her mouth, Tonks replied. "I'll do my best."

The time had come for Harry and Arthur to leave, everyone stood up, spewing words of support to the boy who looked as though he was about to walk to the gallows. Although Tonks was optimistic that Harry would come out of the trial relatively unscathed, she couldn't help but consider the possibility of a negative outcome. She had spent enough time at Ministry trials to know how sadistic those bastards could be. 

If Harry was expelled from Hogwarts, it was unlikely that his Aunt and Uncle would agree to take him back. He would have to stay at Grimmauld Place with Sirius. Tonks felt that the matter might cause more dispute between Sirius and Molly over who would look after the boy. Then there was the issue of his safety. It was true that the safest place for Harry was Hogwarts. If he wasn't allowed to go back, then what would happen? Tonks had been so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn't quite realized that the room had returned to a depressing silence. 

"Everything will work out Sirius. You have to trust Dumbledore." Remus tried to reassure his friend. "He probably has the entire thing mapped out already. Harry won't even be able to get a word in. Dumbledore will do all the speaking. He used to work in The Ministry, he knows how to make it work."

Sirius did nothing but shrug and continue to stare at the table. "Remus is right, Sirius. You know that Professor Dumbledore loves Harry. Do you really think he'll let him get expelled? You've got to stay positive Pads." Tonks tried, but received the same response. She excused herself, and climbed the stairs to her room. She almost burst into song when she saw her bed.