Harry potter headcannons and one shots

Tea, Sympathy and a Wolf Patronus - PART ONE

a/n: This belongs to BossaNovaBaby24 on fanfiction.net. 

PART ONE- TONKS 

A loud crack split the silence that surrounded the Burrow. As Nymphadora Tonks strode forwards, kicking stones in her wake, she spotted Molly Weasley appear at the kitchen window in the distance. In response to her watchful gaze, Tonks pulled her cloak tighter around her and pushed forward, in the hopes of doing her job quickly and getting home so she could sit and mope for the evening.

She knew Molly was scrutinising her as she drew closer to the back door and made an effort to mask her face from the intense gaze. She reached the door and paused for breath. She would not give anything away. She would tell Molly what she was instructed to and leave. She would not break down. With that mantra in mind, Tonks knocked on the door.

"Who is there?"

The voice on the other side of the door was warm, yet timid and Tonks almost smiled. Molly saw her walk down the path and still had to ask who it was.

"It's me, Tonks," she replied, her voice hoarse.

"Who or what is your worst enemy?"

Tonks didn't even think on it.

"The troll leg umbrella stand."

The door swung open immediately and Molly stood in the opening, wrapped in a worn green dressing gown, gazing at the young woman before her with a frown. Tonks immediately pulled her arms in front of her and absently picked at a thread in her cloak, her eyes downcast. She knew what Molly saw in front of her. She saw it every time she looked in a mirror in her flat. Her hair was mousy brown and hung limp around her heart-shaped face. She was overly pale, a lot paler than usual and her clothes hung from her thinner frame. When Molly's eyes reached her own, Tonks forced the ghost of a smile to her lips.

"Wotcher Molly."

Molly smiled in return and, despite the circumstances, it lit up the gloomy night. Mrs Weasley had that aura about her, motherly and warm, even in the darkest of times that they now faced.

"Tonks, dear, in you come, in you come."

She bustled Tonks in, shooing her to the kitchen table. Tonks resisted for a moment, not wishing to appear rude but not wanting to stay either. She turned to Molly and said smoothly;

"Dumbledore has sent me with a message. He'll be apparating here in the morning with Harry, who will be staying for the rest of the summer."

Molly nodded and appeared delighted with the news. Tonks took it as her cue to quietly depart and started to move back towards the door. She didn't get far before Molly accosted her.

"Won't you at least stay for a drink? You haven't been around in a long time."

"Sorry but no thanks Molly," Tonks replied wearily, forcing another smile, "I've been kept very busy by the Ministry at the moment. Aurors are stretched thin and I've taken on extra work."

She thought the excuse would be enough. However, just as her hand clasped the handle of the back door, she heard a sharp tone from behind.

"Sit, Nymphadora."

Tonks didn't even have the strength to scold Molly for the use of her first name. As it was, she couldn't even muster a glare. Molly saw this and she softened slightly.

"Please, I can see you're troubled. Just a cup of tea."

Just one drink and then get out. Tonks resigned herself to a seat at the kitchen table, cloak still around her shoulders, determined to make conversation hard for the Weasley mother. Molly didn't deserve ill treatment from her, but quite frankly she was on the verge of a break down and to do so in front of Molly would be horrific.