T is for Tonks

Chapter 7 - Prefection

I know that lycanthropy is hereditary in the Harry Potter Universe, but for the purpose of this fic, it isn't confirmed. :) H.x 

The following afternoon, the children had some exciting news. From her armchair in the drawing room where Tonk was reading some reports that Mad-eye had let her take home, she could hear their raised voices from downstairs. "Bloody hell, a pack of dogs would make less noise than them lot." Bill commented to no one especially. He was lounged across the sofa and had his nose in a rather large Ancient Runes book. Sirius and Remus were sat on the floor by the fire, apparently very engrossed in their game of wizards chess.

Tonks admired her cousin. His brows were angled with concentration but he still wore a smirk on his face. He made soft commands to the pieces that were scattered across the board and Tonks was sure that she had never seen this side of him before. He looked almost calm, but there was still a hint of boyish cheekiness in his weathered face. 

She looked back down at her report. It was incredibly dry and boring, researching specific Ministry law, but Mad-eye had insisted studying would be quintessential for her case. She was sure she had read the same sentence at least 15 times already, and still had no idea what it meant. 

"You cheating bastard." Sirius raged, shaking his head at Remus who only laughed.

"I won fair and square, Black."

Judging by way that they bickered, it was easy for Tonks to imagine them as naïve school boys. She imagined that James wouldn't have helped the situation with his competitive streak. When she started Hogwarts, people were still talking about how James Potter had been the best thing that had ever happened to the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Well, that was until Charlie joined, anyway. Tonks looked fondly at Bill, who had been Headboy in his final year at Hogwarts. She had received more than a few reprimands from Bill while at school, but he was always kind to his little brother's best friend. Sometimes he would help her out, strictly off the books of course.

Sirius and Remus were still scuffling about their chess game when a gaggle of feral red-haired children burst into the room. Fred was holding a small badge in the air. "Look, Ron's a Prefect." He had a wide grin on his face. Ron was helplessly trying to wrestle the badge off of his brother.

Lightening fast, Fred passed the badge to George. "Reckon he'll end up like Percy."

Ginny and Hermione stood in the doorway completely unphased. Tonks couldn't help but giggle at the boys. As an only child she wished she could have had siblings to tease. Fred grabbed Ron from assaulting George and pinned his arms to his sides. 

George teased. "Yeah, head as big as a beach ball."

Tonks looked at Sirius who grinned like a Cheshire cat, and Remus looked like he was trying hard to restrain himself from laughing. Harry had now joined them and stood in the doorway. "You'll have to start wearing Aunt Muriel's knickers for hats, Ron."

The boy had managed to kick free of Fred's grasp and was about to launch himself on the other twin, when Tonks pulled out her wand from her pocket. Efficiently, she cast a tickling jinx on Ron causing him to stop dead and collapse on the floor in laugher. This made George pause in shock for long enough for Hermione was able to swipe the badge out of his hands. With a flick of her wand, she released the jinx and Ron stood up just in time for Mrs Weasley to walk into the room. All of the siblings straightened up as if nothing ever happened. 

She beamed, looking around the room. "Have you heard the news? Ron and Hermione have been made the Gryffindor prefects?" There was a trickle of congratulations around the room while Molly bounced on the balls of her feet. "We're going to have a celebration dinner tonight after the Order meeting." with that she was off and the kids looked at Tonks apologetically.